Breast Reduction Surgery After Pregnancy?

You should wait about 6 months after pregnancy, or after you've stopped breastfeeding, before you consider surgery.

Most surgeons recommend waiting 6 months following childbirth for a breast reduction. This time period is somewhat flexible. Some patients may not breast feed and their milk will dry up fast, and the breasts will return to their normal size relatively quickly. As long as there is milk present or the breasts are larger then normal, you would wait for a breast reduction.

It’s not unusual for women to address changes in their bodies following pregnancy. In many cases this is part of the mommy makeover procedure which addresses areas of fat accumulation in the hips and thighs, redundant abdominal tissue and changes that occur in the breasts.

When contemplating breast surgery, of any type following pregnancy, several issues require consideration. It’s important that the breasts have reached a stable size and contour and that lactation has stopped for at least three to six months. It’s also important that the patient has returned to their baseline weight. Once these requirements have been met, it’s reasonable to proceed with breast reduction surgery.

If you’re considering breast reduction following pregnancy, consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon that has experience in this area would be appropriate.