What is the average amount of weight loss expected after breast reduction surgery with little to no exercise?

Question

I had breast reduction surgery about 5 months ago 40DDD to a 38 C. They took a pound each off and in my recovery I lost weight but it was 5lbs tops. Before surgery I was 180 lbs and today I discovered I weigh about 155. Beside my breasts my body looks the same, I don't understand how I lost this weight? I haven't exercised much either, after the holidays I thought I had gained weight. Is it normal to lose this much weight after surgery? Should I look into other causes for this weight loss?

Joseph L. Grzeskiewicz, MD, FACS · Answer

While it is very common to lose weight after breast reduction, you are correct in your assumption that the amount of weight actually removed in the breast reduction itself is not that great.  For instance, if the doctor removed a total of 500 grams of tissue from each side, which would be considered to be a pretty average breast reduction, the total amount removed would be about 1000 grams, or 2.2 pounds.  Thus, in your case there is another 23 pounds of weight loss that is as yet unaccounted for.  Most people go on to change their diets and/or activity level following breast reduction, and this usually accounts for the further weight loss.  A loss of 5 pounds per month (25 pounds over 5 months) is not an unhealthy rate, given that there is an explanation for the weight loss.  Most diet programs would like you to lose 7 - 10 pounds per month.  My instinct, based upon seeing literally thousands of breast reduction patients and their postop courses over the years, is to say that if you are feeling well, and don't have any other unexplained constitutional symptoms like weakness, fatigue, nausea or loss of appetite, heat or cold intolerance, and stuff like that, it is probably a secondary result of unrecognized increase in activity related to better mobility with breast reduction.  However, having said that, I am not really in a position to make those assessments, and I think for completeness' sake, if you truly can't explain the weight loss, it may be worth it for you to visit your primary doctor or internist for a more thorough evaluation.  Best of luck.

Frederic H. Corbin, MD (license restricted) · Answer

Thank you for the question and my immediate reaction is that there may be a problem with the scales you used.  Unless you were retaining a large amount of fluid prior to surgery that would be unusual to weigh that much less afterDr. Corbin

What is the average amount of weight loss expected after breast reduction surgery with little to no exercise?

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What is the average amount of weight loss expected after breast reduction surgery with little to no exercise?

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Everything you need to know about Breast Reduction

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