Breast reduction before having children? Even if they're years apart?

Question

I'm 22 years old . 5'5 180 lbs my bra size is about a 40F-G . Ive been suffering with back, neck and shoulder pain for years. & now i have developed bruises. Alot of people are saying the procedure would be pointless if i end up having kids afterwards. i don't intended on having kids for another 5 yrs or so . i know this may be a ridiculous question , but is it worth it to have a breast reduction before kids ?

James N. Romanelli, MD, FACS · Answer

This is a good question and certainly one that comes up often in breast reduction consultations. The procedure is popular for women of all ages, from those in their late teens on up to post-menopause. If your breasts are causing you significant physical discomfort but you plan to wait several years before starting your family, there's really no reason to delay surgery. Making yourself more comfortable and improving the proportions of your body are never pointless! Breast reduction may impact a woman’s ability to breastfeed, although many women can breastfeed after breast reduction. Best of luck!

Paul Vitenas, Jr., MD · Answer

Thank you very much for your
question. From your description, it sounds like a breast reduction could
provide the relief you need from a large, heavy chest. Bringing your breasts
down to a more proportionate size would remove the pressure and pain from your
back and shoulders. The decrease in size could also bring you added confidence
in your appearance. It is reasonable to consider having a breast lift to
improve your quality of life, even knowing that one day in the future, you may
decide to become pregnant. If your breasts do change down the road, after
giving birth, you can consider a revision procedure. I recommend scheduling an
in-person consultation with an experienced, board certified plastic surgeon. At
this time, he/she can perform a physical evaluation to determine if a breast
reduction is right for you.

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

Based upon your weight, bra size, neck, back, neck, and should pain, you would be a good candidate for breast reduction.  With most modern techniques of breast reduction, the ducts should be preserved as well as the sensation.  Therefore, breast-feeding should be possible.Kenneth Hughes, MD, Board Certified Plastic SurgeonLos Angeles, CA

Keith M. Blechman, MD · Answer

If you suffer from back, neck, and shoulder pain due to large breasts, and are not planning a pregnancy for years in the future then it's sensible to consider having a breast reduction sooner rather than later.  The procedure would in no way be pointless, as you would immediately benefit from pain relief.  The potential downsides of pursuing surgery prior to pregnancy would include 1) affecting your ability to breast feed in the future, and 2) that after pregnancy the cosmetic outcome from surgery could be changed due to pregnancy-related changes in the size and shape of the breast.  The first possibility is a very small risk, and if you've never been pregnant before, then there's a chance you may not even be able to breastfeed anyway.  The second possibility is something many women consider after pregnancy, that is, cosmetic surgery of the breasts, usually a lift, and you could always entertain that if it was relevant (just because you get pregnant doesn't mean you'll want cosmetic breast surgery afterwards).  Ultimately, if you're large breasts are causing discomfort, you should definitely consider fixing the problem -- why live with pain for so many more years?A visit to a plastic surgeon's office will help you to understand if you're a candidate for the procedure, and what aesthetic and functional outcomes are realistic in your particular case.  In order to get a qualified, ethical, and expert opinion on your surgical options and expectations, schedule an in-person office consultation with a plastic surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.
Best of luck,
Keith M. Blechman, MD
New York, NY

Lee B. Daniel, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. It can absolutely be “worth it” to have a breast reduction earlier in life, even if you may have children later down the road. Women who suffer from symptoms like the ones you describe often feel constricted and limited on a daily basis by their breast size, which can have an effect on quality of life. I recommend meeting with a board-certified plastic surgeon and discussing your options. Good luck.

Reza Momeni, MD, FACS · Answer

It's absolutely possible to have breast reduction before kids, but there's a small chance that you might not be able to breast feed (there's a chance of that anyway without having any surgery).   Be sure to discuss your goals and concerns with your board certified plastic surgeon and consider the pros and the cons. Be certain your surgeon is properly certified.  I've attached a link where you can start your search.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Thank you for the good 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). Always, there are no "absolute rules"; in my opinion, it is best to individualize every patient's care.

If at all possible, 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.

***On the other hand, it can be argued that, patients with breast hypertrophy benefit from breast reduction surgery prior to pregnancy, especially if pregnancy is planned several years down the line (to prevent the symptoms that may occur as the breasts grow even larger during and after pregnancy/breast-feeding).

I hope this, and the attached link, helps.

Erica Anderson, MD · Answer

It is completely reasonable to have a breast reduction before children given your complaints. The only disadvantage could be difficulty with breast feeding and recurrence of your large breasts requiring a secondary reduction or lift. Best wishes.

Nick Masri, MD, FACS · Answer

Breast Reduction before having children is a very reasonable option given the symptoms you have been experiencing related to your breasts. You  may  experience issues with breast feeding ( possible interruption of the milk ducts with decreasd expression of milk) and potential issues with engorgement and hypertrophy of the breast( normal for any pregnancy) following a breast reduction. 
Talk to a plastic surgeon about some of these issues. It is definitely not pointless and you will be better informed in making the right decision for you. Best Wishes

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

It is a personal choice to undergo a breast reduction, and I have treated women before having kids as well as after. Surgical reduction may impact breast feeding, but many can still breast feed after surgery as well. Whether they can breast feed exclusively and not have to supplement is difficult to say.

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