Will I Be Able to Breastfeed After a Breast Lift/Reduction?

My doctor has recommended a breast lift/reduction. I have bad back pain and constant headaches from my neck muscles being strained. I am 6'0 270 and a 38DDD. I am considering this but am concerned about having more kids. Will I ruin all the work I've had done If I get pregnant? Will I be able to still breast feed? Will I loose nipple sensations?

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12 Doctor Answers | Asked by Izziesmama

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Breast feeding is maintained after the Ultimate Breast Lift/Reduction

Hi, You are a perfect candidate for a new technique called the Ultimate Lift/Reduction. This procedure preserves the ability to breast feed while lifting and if necessary reducing breast size. The advantage of this technique is that no vertical scar is required and the breast weight is transferred to your underlying muscles. This releaves neck, back, shoulder and bra pain. It also provides long term elevation creating a perky/youthful breast that patients desire. Nipple... more

Will I Be Able to Breastfeed After a Breast Lift/Reduction?

These are all possible sequelae of the breast reduction/lift surgery. The risk of having these occur are as I tell my personal patients 50/50. So if you desire more children have them than obtain this surgery. Or if you can live with the risks than proceed. Best of luck.

Breast reduction and issues of pregnancy, nipple sensation and ability to breast feed

From the numbers that you have provided, I assume that you are quite large and uncomfortable and a breast reduction (which also includes a lift) will be an excellent choice. However, it would be beneficial that you lose a significant amount of weight if at all possible prior to surgery for a variety of reasons. Also, if you are planning to have children in the near future, you would have to evaluate the consequences that pregnancy will have on your results versus the worsening of... more

Breast Reduction

It sounds like you are suffering because of a skeletal imbalance from large breasts. Sorry that is happening to you. If the surgical technique used to reduce the breast keeps the nipple attached, most patients are able to breast feed and almost all maintain nipple sensation. Many reductions or breast lifts are done before women have their children, so your pain is more important than what pregnancy will stretch out. Breast reduction patients are the happiest group of plastic surgery... more

No assurance for breast feeding or nipple sensation after breast reduction

Thanks for your question. Your concerns are two of the most important considerations when deciding to have a breast reduction. The answer begins with the general comment that surgeons use different techniques to perform breast reductions and the risks vary with each technique. If the potential loss of either sensation or lactation is not acceptable to you despite the improvements in your back pain, then you should not have the procedure because no one can assure... more

Breast Feeding after Breast Lift or Breast Reduction

No plastic surgeon can guarantee that you will be able to breast feed after a breast reduction or lift, since many women are unsuccessful at lactation without any breast surgery. However many studies show that women with breast reductions or breast lifts (mastopexy) have lactation performance that is as successful as women who had no surgery. That rate varies from study to study but is generally between 65-70%. Loss of nipple sensation is approximately 2 % for all... more

Breast Reduction Timing?

Thank you for the question. Based on your description, your doctor has made a good recommendation; it sounds like you are a excellent candidate for breast reduction surgery. You may want to achieve a long-term stable weight prior to surgery. The major issue of concern is timing of the surgery; if you are thinking about pregnancy in the near future, wait on having the breast reduction. The majority of patients who undergo breast reduction surgery however are able... more

If breast feeding is important, delay reduction

Your breast will produce breast milk after a breast reduction, however you may not have a sufficient milk flow to support breast feeding. If breast feeding is important to you it is best to delay a reduction. Best of luck, peterejohnsonmd.com

Pregnancy and breast reduction

If you are thinking of getting pregnant soon, then it may be best to put off the reduction. Hard to say for sure if you can breast feed successfully after reduction. Some can and others cann ot. Sensation may change but about 85% have normal sensation at one year. The shape of the breast may change with pregnancy because of the engorgement.

Steven Wallach, MD

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Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Breast Feeding After Breast Reduction

A very good question. When I counsel a young woman regarding breast reduction I tell her if breast feeding is of paramount importance she should postpone the surgery until her family is complete. But most of my patients that have seen me again after a reduction have been able to breast feed but usually had to supplement with formula because their milk volume was insufficient for the baby. When I ask if they regret having that problem, everyone says "no". They relief from a... more

Breast reduction and breast-feeding

Decreased milk production is a complication of breast reduction. Much less of a problem with breast lifts. There are many kinds of breast lifts and breast reductions. The type of reduction that gives the best chance for breast-feeding is a central pedicle or inferior pentacle based reduction these type reductions leave the most nipple ducts and breast tissue in a normal anatomical position. Paper say that 60% of the patients with these types of reduction may be able to make enough milk to... more

Breast reduction patients are typically quite satisfied

It sounds like you are a good candidate for breast reduction. Your breasts will be lifted along with the reduction in cup size and your symptoms should improve dramatically, often right after surgery. Regarding future pregnancy, certainly you can expect that your breasts will enlarge with lactation. This may result in some loss of your result through stretching and droopiness, but it is not likely that your breasts will ever be quite as full. Nursing is encouraged both... more