If I Get A Breast Reduction, Will They Grow Back if I Were To Have Kids?

The main reason for waiting after your children are born is to be able to breast feed and that they typically stretch and sag afterwards. Hence the term "mommy makeover".Existing breast tissue can become larger after a breast reduction even if you haven't gain weight. A few of the more common reasons (besides weight gain) are use of hormones like birth control or others at the time of menopause, endocrinological problems, further normal growth if the first procedure was done at an early age, pregnancy related, and in many cases unexplained reasons. A secondary breast reduction can be performed once the cause is understood. Without photos or an exam the exact technique best for you cannot be determined.

A breast reduction removes the fat and breast tissue from the breasts.  During pregnancy, the glandular tissue will enlarge but will shrink after you are done breast feeding.  However, if you are currently a size 36 G and have very havery, painful breasts and cannot find clothing that you want to wear, I would recommend you undergo a breast reduction now.  There are new techniques that avoid the vertical and boat anchor incisions and transfer the breast weight to the underlying breast chest muscles.  This allows many patients to wear clothing that they never could before and pain relief allows a more active lifestyle.

Best of Luck,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Thank you for the question.
Breast reduction surgery is one of the most patient pleasing operations we perform. By removing “excess” breast tissue, adipose tissue, and breast skin  this operation reduces and lifts the breasts to a higher position on the chest wall. By doing so, patients often find improvement in neck, back, and shoulder discomfort and find it easier to form their activities of daily living and exercise.

Timing of the operation will depend on the patient's life circumstances. In general, it is best to do this procedure ( like all other elective body contouring the stages,  when patients have reached their long-term stable weights.  In doing so, improve the safety of the procedure and minimizes the need for further surgery ( in the event of weight gain/loss after the breast reduction procedure).

Timing of breast reduction surgery in relation to pregnancy should be individualized. In some cases, it is best to wait until after completing pregnancies before undergoing breast reduction surgery. Again, doing so will minimize the chances that patients will require further surgery after pregnancy related breast changes. Patients who seek breast augmentation after pregnancy should wait at least 3 to 6 months after they have stopped breast-feeding  him when they have reached their long stable weight.

On the other hand, it can be argued that, some patients with breast hypertrophy will benefit from breast reduction surgery prior to pregnancy (to prevent the symptoms that may occur as the breasts grow even larger during and after pregnancy/breast-feeding).   Furthermore, patients will be able to enjoy the benefits of breast reduction surgery on a daily basis. Patients who elect to have surgery before having completed pregnancies should be aware that additional surgery may be necessary/beneficial.

I hope this helps.