Breast Reduction Q&A
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Do I Have to Wait for my Milk Supply to Dry Up for Breast Reduction?

asked 1 year ago by 1308anon in australia
Latest answer by Tom J. Pousti, MD
Question viewed 275 times
Tags: breasts, female, breast feeding

ive been waiting for my breast reduction and the time has come however i just stopped breast feeding 4 days ago and my surgery is in two days can i go ahead? i feel good to go ahead with it without telling my doc. ive waited too long to postpone another six months.are there any risks with this?

8 answers to Do I Have to Wait for my Milk Supply to Dry Up for Breast Reduction?

+2

Do NOT have a Breast Reduction Surgery while still Lactating (Producing Breast Milk)

Regarding; "...i just stopped breast feeding 4 days ago and my surgery is in two days can i go ahead? i feel good to go ahead with it without telling my doc. ive waited too long to postpone another six months.are there any risks with this?" Two comments: 1. It is a really dumb idea to withhold information from your surgeon. Information which may seem meaningless to you could be crucial to your proper care. Not being aware of it your surgeon may take a decision which will needl more
Peter A. Aldea, MD

Memphis Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast Reduction after Breast Feeding?

Thank you for the question. It would be in your best interests to wait at least 3 months after breast-feeding before proceeding with any type of breast surgery. Best wishes.
Tom J. Pousti, MD

San Diego Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast reduction and milk production

Yes, you must wait until you stop breast feeding before undergoing a breast reduction.  You should wait at least 6 months or longer after you stop so that the breasts can revert to a less engorged and vascular state.
Steven Wallach, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

Lactation, nursing and breast reduction

I would recommend that you wait at least 4 months subsequent to cessation of lactation prior to considering breast reduction.
Otto Joseph Placik, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast Reduction 4 days after cessation of breast feeding

Hi there- Generally speaking, it is not in your best interests to withhold relevant information from any health care provider, as (and this is definitely true in this instance) it may lead to complications you could have avoided had you been forthcoming... I would recommend you wait at least 3 months to allow your breasts to re-establish a healthy equilibrium after the glandular elements have receded.  Proceeding before this has occurred risks ongoing deflation of the breasts more
Armando Soto, MD

Orlando Plastic Surgeon

www.DrArmandoSoto.com

+1

Breast reduction during lactation is a bad idea

During breast feeding, lactation, the breast is enlarged and engorged and this is a very poor time to attempt breast reduction surgery. The planning and size consideration is distorted by the enlarged breast. The surgery is likely to be complicated by milk collections called galactoceols which require longer use of drains. Not telling your surgeon prevents you from getting the best care and the best result, overall a very bad idea. Best of luck, peterejohnsonmd
Peter E. Johnson, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast-feeding and reduction

In my up-coming book on cosmetic surgery, one of the twelve rules is "no lying." You should ask your surgeon in person what you are asking anonymously. Only by being open with each other, can a favorable outcome be possible. Usually a surgeon will inquire about your breast-feeding because cutting into the breast tissue while still producing milk can produce a complication of galactocoele and non-healing. Usually you should wait a number of months after ceasing to breast-feed.... more
Robin T.W. Yuan, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast Reduction While Breast Feeding

Thanks for your question - In our San Francisco area office we commonly perform breast reductions.  We always ask our patients to wait until they're done breast feeding.  There are several reasons for this - Breast milk can cause infections and wound healing problems. Your breasts are engorged (think bigger than normal) with breast milk and the actual size and shape of your breasts will change when you stop lactating.  It is important to perform the... more
Steven H. Williams, MD

San Francisco Plastic Surgeon

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