Can I still breast feed after a breast reduction?

Hi Lauren,
If you haven't already had children and attempted to breastfeed, then it's nearly impossible to say. There's no anatomical reason why one shouldn't be able to breastfeed after this surgery. The difficulty with being able to answer this question with any sort of authority is that we don't know if you (or any woman) can breastfeed in general- without having had surgery. Some women will report an inability to breastfeed after a surgery, but it's impossible to know whether or not that person had the ability to breastfeed prior to surgery! No such formal study exists.
The choice to undergo surgery is not one to be taken lightly! Only you can ultimately decide if the benefits are worth the risks.
Best of luck to you!
-Dr. Nik

The short answer is that it depends on whether or not you had a free nipple graft or if your nipple was left on a "pedicle". If you have a free nipple graft, you will not be able to breast feed. If your nipple and areola is left on a "pedicle" then you will likely be able to breast feed. This of course also depends on if you have successfully breast fed previously. If you were unable to breast feed prior to breast reduction surgery, then it is not likely you will be able to after ward, even if your nipple is left on a pedicle. If you have never been pregnant then whether or not you will successfully breast feed (with or without a reduction) is unknown. If breast feeding is very important to you, you may want to wait until you have finished having children to have a breast reduction. On the other hand, if your large breasts are causing significant physical or psychological distress for you then at least speak with your plastic surgeon about preserving your nipple and areola on a pedicle (NOT a free nipple graft) to give you the best chance of successfully breast feeding after surgery.