Blood Loss During Breast Reduction?

Question

I gave birth 3 months ago and lost a lot of blood, I had to have a blood transfusion because I was anemic. If I lost a lot of blood during childbirth will I lose a lot of blood during a breast reduction? Should I be worried about getting an elective surgery if I'm anemic?

Brent Moelleken, MD · Answer

3 months after childbirth may be too early to be undergoing a breast reduction since the breasts are still changing.
With modern tumescent anesthetic techniques, the blood loss during breast reduction can be minimized.  When I was in residency, we routinely had patients autodonate blood.  Now, it is unheard of in our practice because of the minimal blood loss when breast recution surgery is performed expediently by a skilled surgeon using tumescent or superwet anesthetic techniques.
All patients undergoing an elective procedure should optimize their medical health before having surgery.

Kevin Brenner, MD, FACS · Answer

The amount of blood that most patients lose during breast reduction is negligible, especially when compared with blood loss that occurs during childbirth. However, there are a few things that you should consider before having surgery. Three months after having a child is too soon for breast reduction surgery. I prefer that my patients wait a minimum of six months after delivery prior to any elective body contouring surgery...and preferable closer to twelve months. Also, if you are anemic now, you should wait until your Iron stores are repleted prior to commencing with additional elective surgery.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Thank you for the question.

	The blood loss associated with breast reduction surgery is not significant. More than likely, your plastic surgeon will be checking your hemoglobin/hematocrit prior to the procedure.

	It will be in your best interest to proceed with breast reduction surgery when you have reached a long-term stable weight. Also you should wait at least 3 to 6 months after breast-feeding before undergoing the procedure.

	Best wishes with the breast reduction procedure; it is one of the most patient pleasing operations we perform.

Pat Pazmino, MD, FACS · Answer

It performed properly, a minimal amount of blood should be lost during a breast reduction surgery. The surgery is usually performed with techniques that minimize the blood loss. An experienced board-certified plastic surgeon should have enough familiarity with the anatomy of the breast to minimize blood loss and prevent the need for blood transfusions.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

First, if you recently had a pregnancy, then I would wait at least 6 months or until your breasts have settled down and your weight is stable to undergo a breast reduction. If you are severely anemic, then you should have a work-up and you may be at risk for healing problems. You should not lose a lot of blood form a breast reduction.

Susan E. Downey, MD · Answer

Child birth is a very different situation than elective breast reduction. There are factors which might cause a woman to lose a lot of blood during delivery (problems with the placenta is one) that are never seen during breast surgery. 
It is very unusual to lose a lot of blood during a breast reduction. That said, there are some other considerations. I would recommend waiting a while after your delivery to proceed with breast reduction.  First, you obviously had a difficult delivery --  I would want you back to your normal good health before proceeding with an elective procedure. 
Also, your breasts are still changing from the pregnancy. Even if you are not breast feeding it will take a while for your breasts to go back to a non-pregnant state. As a general rule it takes up to a year for everything to go back to a non pregnant state. Tell your plastic surgeon about your delivery problems, make sure you have clearance from your primary doctor before you go ahead and make sure that you give your body time to recover from the delivery.

Scott E. Kasden, MD, FACS · Answer

First thing to do is see your internist or hematologist to ensure you don't have a clotting problem causing the excessive bleeding.
Secondly, if that is ok, the breast reduction should not result in a lot of bleeding.  The issue for me is the status of your breasts.  This close to birth, you may still have milk, and even if you don't the breast size and shape may still change a lot over the next few months, so I would consider waiting for the reduction, a few months.
 
sek

David A. Robinson, MD · Answer

Blood transfusion for breast reduction surgery is very rare.  The fact you may be anemic from blood loss during child birth makes it prudent you obtain a blood work up from your primary care physician.  Discuss the results with him/her prior to having breast reduction surgery. You may just need an iron supplement to help with your anemia. 
Breast reduction surgery is generally a straight forward procedure without significant blood loss.  It is a very gratifying procedure for plastic surgeons as their patients experience a decrease in back, neck and shoulder pain within weeks of the surgery.
Good luck.

John P. Stratis, MD · Answer

Breast reduction surgery curently is a very low blood loss procedure. You should find out if there is anything wrong with your blood clotting system. If not you should not be a t great risk for excessive blood loss.

Robin T.W. Yuan, MD · Answer

The main question is why you had so much blood loss during childbirth? If this was not related to a systemic problem such as a coagulation disorder but more of a traumatic situation, then it is probably not going to impact your reduction. You should certainly correct your anemia before elective surgery. This may be as simple as taking iron supplements but your gynecologist might want to consult with a hematologist to see if there is any other tests that should be performed to excluded blood disorders. If not, then reduction mammaplasty rarely requires blood transfusions although blood loss is a risk factor. Usually with the use of vasoconstricting drugs injected into the breast tissue and the use of electrocautery or liposuction to remove breast tissue and fat, blood loss is kept to a minimum. I have never (knock on wood) had to transfuse a patient despite large volumes of reduction. Your proactive concern for safety is laudable and smart.

Blood Loss During Breast Reduction?

Answers (12)

More Breast Reduction Questions

Extra Skin After Downsizing Breast Implants?

Fat Removal Volume for Breast Reduction and Liposuction?

Will Pregnacy but Not Breastfeeding Ruin my Breast Reduction Surgery?

Is It Possible to Get a B Cup from 40DD After Breast Reduction?

How Long Before Tissue Necrosis Heals After Breast Reduction?

Will my breasts sag after breast reduction?

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS