Can I still breast feed after a breast reduction?

Yes you absolutely can. We preserve milk glands during breast reduction surgery so you can definitely breastfeed afterwards. There’s only one exception. Women with excessively large breasts may need a reduction technique called free nipple technique. It entails total nipple removal before it's moved to a new position on the resized breast. Free nipple technique will lead to damage of nerves and ducts. Nipple sensation is lost along with the ability to lactate.

The answer is: maybe.
For women who have not yet had children, the ability to breastfeed remains uncertain, as some may face challenges regardless of surgery. An estimated 70% of women are able to breast feed in general and the percentage is similar after breast reduction. If breastfeeding is a priority for you, it's important to discuss this with your plastic surgeon before the procedure. They can help determine the best approach to increase your chances of breastfeeding after surgery.
Breastfeeding after a breast reduction is possible for many women, but it depends on the surgical technique and the amount of tissue removed. Any breast surgery can cause breastfeeding issues. If significant tissue is removed or if a "free nipple graft" technique is used (where the nipple is completely detached), breastfeeding may not be possible.
Krishna Vyas, MD, PhD, MHSHarvard, Hopkins, & Mayo Clinic Trained Aesthetic Plastic SurgeonNew York, New York

Hi lauren_frankland,
Yours is a very common question. It is important to point out that, prior to breast reduction (or in the absence of breast reduction), not all women can breast feed. For almost all breast reductions (those perform with something called the Free nipple graft would be the exception), the nipple is left attached to a substantial amount of breast tissue. As such, women who are destined to breast-feed should be able to breast-feed after a breast reduction.
Hope this helps.
Best,Christopher Pannucci MD MSBoard Certified Plastic SurgeonPlastic Surgery NorthwestSpokane, Washington

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.

It is possible to breastfeed after a breast reduction, but the success rate can vary depending on the individual case. Breast reduction surgery involves removing some of the breast tissue and reshaping the breast to make it smaller and more lifted. The amount of breast tissue removed during the surgery and the technique used can affect the success of breastfeeding. Women who had a small amount of breast tissue removed may have a better chance of producing milk and breastfeeding successfully. However, women who had a significant amount of breast tissue removed or had their milk ducts cut may have more difficulty producing milk. It is important to discuss your plans to breastfeed with your surgeon before the procedure, as they can discuss the potential impact on breastfeeding and help you make an informed decision about the surgery.

Hi, Breast reduction surgery can impact a woman's ability to breastfeed, but it doesn't necessarily mean that you won't be able to breastfeed at all. The extent of the impact depends on the technique used for the procedure and the amount of tissue removed.
During breast reduction surgery, the surgeon removes breast tissue, fat, and skin to reduce the size of the breasts. In some cases, the nipples may need to be repositioned. This process can affect the milk ducts and nerves responsible for milk production and let-down reflex.
If the surgery involves removing a large amount of breast tissue, then milk production may decrease. This is because breast tissue contains milk glands and ducts, and removing a significant portion of it can affect the overall milk production.
However, if the surgeon takes care to preserve the milk ducts and nerves, then there is a chance that you can still breastfeed after surgery. In some cases, women who have had breast reduction surgery have been able to successfully breastfeed their infants.
It's important to discuss your desire to breastfeed with your surgeon before the surgery. They can provide you with a better understanding of how the procedure can affect your ability to breastfeed and help you make an informed decision.

Thanks for your question! There isn't an exact yes or no answer to this question. A breast reduction can effect breastfeeding because of what we are removing. However, there are many patients that can still breastfeed post-surgery. Good luck!

Hello,
Thank you for the question.
As long as the nipple is preserved during breast reduction surgery, it should not affect your breast feeding potential.
In general, about 70-80% of women are able to breast feed in general and the percentage is similar after breast surgery.
I suggest that you seek an in person consultation with a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon specializing in Breast surgeries to further discuss your options, specific techniques, concerns and expectations. Make sure you specifically look at before and after pictures of real patients who have had this surgery performed by your surgeon and evaluate their results.
I hope this helps.
Best, Dr. Karanetz
Dr. Irena KaranetzBreast Fellowship TrainedBoard Certified Plastic Surgeon

Thank you for your question! Yes, you are able to breast feed after a breast reduction. Best of luck!