Breast Reduction Q&A
95%
WORTH IT RATING
"Worth It Rating" shows the % of consumer reviewers that stated the procedure was "Worth It" or not. See more RealSelf Worth It Ratings or Add Your Review
Breast Reductionbefore & after photos
View Before and Afters

Average Breast Reduction Cost: $4,650

Learn about Breast Reduction

1,817 people and 561 doctors are talking about Breast Reduction

Get Free Email Updates

How Will Further Weight Loss After Breast Reduction Results?

asked 2 years ago by sue123 in wisconsin
Latest answer by Tom J. Pousti, MD
Question viewed 1,550 times
Tags: back, breasts, female, weight loss, reduce

I understand that the best scenerio is to be at your optimum weight but in my case that's what I'm trying to do. But the back issues are hindering me so if after a Breast Reduction is done and I continue to try to lose weight how will that affect the reduction if at all?

13 answers to How Will Further Weight Loss After Breast Reduction Results?

+2

OK to do breast reduction if overweight.

Hi. Based on your story, I think you should go ahead and have a breast reduction now. You will look and feel so much better, and it can even make further weight loss easier. Your breasts will probably get somewhat smaller if you lose more weight, but your surgeon can leave them a little bigger.
+2

Weight loss after Breast Reduction

If you continue to lose weight after your breast reduction, you will likely lose some volume in your breasts. In some women the skin shrinks along with the breast tissue, and you are just left with smaller breasts. In other women, the skin does not shrink and the breasts look droopy because now there is less breast tissue in the same size skin "envelope". Ideally you are at your goal weight before your reduction, but like you said, it's a tough situation because very large... more
+1

Weight loss after breast reduction surgery?

Thank you for the question. Depending on how much weight you lose after the breast reduction surgery your breasts will likely become smaller and/or more ptotic (droop). As you know, it would be best to be as close as possible to your long-term “stable” weight before the surgery to avoid these postoperative changes ( which occasionally cause patients to seek further breast surgery). Best wishes.
+1

Continued Weight Loss After Breast Reduction Surgery

If you lose only a few pounds after a breast reduction, then your breasts should maintain their proportional size and shape. If you are planning to lose significant weight i.e. over 20 pounds, then it is important that your surgeon keep your breasts slightly larger and definitely proportionate to the remainder of your body. If the breasts are made smaller than the rest of your frame and you then lose greater than 20 pounds, you will find that you lose significant... more
+1

Breast reductoin adn then weight loss

If you undergo a breast reduction and then lose weight, your breasts may deflate a bit.  It is difficult to predict.
+1

Continued Weight Loss After Breast Reduction

Another great question. We all get asked this during a breast reduction consultation. The fact of the matter is if you lose weight in your breasts with body weight loss then this will continue after breast reduction. All women lose weight in some areas greater than others. If you lose weight in your breasts then this will continue after breast reduction. But I agree that the surgery will help you to exercise more and in the long run is better off done now instead of after the weight... more
+1

Continued weight loss following breast reduction surgery

Prior to under going breast reduction surgery, you should be at or near your goal weight. Although many patients feel they need to under go breast reduction surgery prior to losing weight, this is not the case. Patients can optimize their condition prior to surgery with diet and exercise. If a significant amount of weight loss occurs after breast reduction surgery, this can alter the shape and appearance of a womans breasts. In some instances, a patient may require a lift or another... more
+1

Weight loss after a breast reduction

Many patients think they can't lose weight before a breast reduction because they can't exercise. This is not true. Exercise helps to increase your caloric expendature but if you can't do it you still need to restrict calories to less than you burn. You will just lose weight slower. The obvious problem with weight loss after surgery is that the result might become loose and lax and need to be re-done to tighten it up again.
+1

Timing Breast Reduction and Weight Loss

Hi there- This is not an uncommon problem- you want to lose weight in order to proceed with your breast reduction, but have a terrible time exercising BECAUSE of your large breasts! It is important for you to understand the implications of your decision making. The further you are from your target weight at the time of surgery, the more likely that when you do achieve your desired weight you might need a revision of your breast reduction to achieve a pleasing long term outcome. In most... more
+1

Further weight loss after Breast reduction results

You might see some sagging of the reduced breast or you might not. But that is most likely the ONLY issue with additional weight loss after breast reduction surgery. 
+1

Continued Weight Loss AFTER Breast Reduction

As you pointed out - the best, most long-lasting and predictable body contouring (including Breast Reduction) results are seen in patient who ARE at ideal weight and remain there. Any time we operate on a patient whose weight is either going up or going down, we have no way of predicting the degree of deformity the body and breasts will sustain. In your case, I ASSUME by " back issues are hindering me", you meant your back tissues or folds are bothering you. Those back folds (2-3)... more
+1

Effect of weight loss on Breast Reduction

If your breasts normally get smaller with weight loss then that is what will probably happen even after a Breast reduction. It is not a reason not to have a breast reduction if you are having symptoms right now.
+1

Weight Loss following Reduction

You are correct in assuming that you should ideally be near optimal weight at the time of your surgery. However, some women with very large breasts find weight loss difficult because of difficulty exercising, etc. Unless your weight loss is severe following your reduction, I would not expect any significant problems. However, many women have depot fat in their breasts and a significant weight loss could result in a good bit of ptosis or sagging.

Ask a question