I Am Breastfeeding. How Long Should I Wait to Get a Reduction After I Stop?

Question

I have been breastfeeding for a year and am going to wean sometime in the next several months. Once that's done, I want a reduction; I'm a 38I and I'm miserable. Can I get one right away, or do I need to give my breasts a break first?

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Thank you for the question.

	Based on your description, you may be an excellent candidate for breast reduction surgery.  Breast reduction surgery is one of the most patient pleasing operations we perform.

	Ideally you will be as close as possible to your long-term stable weight and  your breasts will have reached a “steady state” after completion of lactation. For most patients  this may require 3 to 6 months after stopping breast feeding.

	Best wishes.

Jerome Edelstein, MD · Answer

Usually, I recommend waiting at least 6 months after you've stopped breastfeeding before pursuing any breast surgery. However, you should ask your surgeon as their guidelines may be different.

Michael C. Edwards, MD, FACS · Answer

I ask my patients to have completely stopped breast feeding for at least 3 months prior to any breast surgery. If you are still having nipple discharge with minimal manipulation of your breasts, I would have you wait longer. The risk with a breast reduction is that collections of breast milk could pool in the area of surgery causing healing complications. It also allows for any contraction of your tissues to occur yielding a more predictable post-op result.

	I wish you well.

	Dr Edwards

Moneer Jaibaji, MD · Answer

I thin you are a good candid for breast reduction surgery, but you have to time it right. Since you are breast feeding now, I would not advise you to get it. You will have to wait at least three months after you stop breast feeding before considering surgery. This will allow time for all the changes to the breast from pregnancy and lactation to go back to prepregnancy state.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

It is best to wait until the breasts stop lactating and go back down to your previous volume. This may take about 6 months or more after you stop breast feeding.

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I Am Breastfeeding. How Long Should I Wait to Get a Reduction After I Stop?

Answers (7)

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Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.