When can I get a Mammogram after breast reduction? I am worried about the "squish"

Question

6 mo. post BR. I am so pleased! All healed up, Scars are good, no complications or open wounds.100% back to regular activity. Had my annual physical and Dr ordered my regular mammogram. Am I good at 6 months? She's willing to wait but I noticed recently that things feel different inside my breasts. Scar tissue? I'm not sure but I would like to get a new baseline. Pathology reports from surgery are good.I had a mammo 6 months preop. Should I wait? I don't see my PS anymore or I would ask him.

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

All exams and pathology reports were good, so I would wait for your annual mammogram date.  Give your breasts another six months to heal.Kenneth Hughes, MD, Board Certified Plastic SurgeonLos Angeles, CA

Gerald Minniti, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello,US Preventative Task Force recommendations are baseline mammo at 50, every other year until age 76. American Cancer Society recommendations are baseline mammo at 45, yearly until age 50, then every other year. New data supports USPTF over ACS.  'Changes' you are experiencing in your breasts are very much unlikely cancer, just normal healing. Best to wait a year for full healing. Best of luck!

Joel M. Stewart, Jr., MD · Answer

I think this question will vary among plastic surgeons. Certainly it is safe to have one now. Most plastic surgeons would advocate between 6 months and one year. Also it would depend in some ways to results of your previous mammograms.

Steven Turkeltaub, MD · Answer

As you had a mammogram only a year ago and if there are no high risk factors, you may want to wait longer for a variety of reasons. Given the non-gentle nature of the mammogram process, closer to a 9 months to a year may be reasonable in your situation. You should contact your plastic surgeon and obtain his/her recommendation however.Steven Turkeltaub, MD

Susan MacLennan, MD · Answer

Hello-You should be fine to have a mammogram 6 months after breast reduction, although it may not be completely necessary to do it quite so soon. While it may still be a bit tender, its unlikely that the mammogram would harm anything at this point. You're correct that this would be your new baseline. You and your doctor can make decisions about the mammo screening schedule that makes sense for you, given your age and family history.Best wishes-

William C. Rigano, MD (retired) · Answer

Glad to hear you are healing well at 6 months. Internal scarring softens around a year. Most PS have patients get a new baseline at One year. Occasionally , patients need additional views to get a good baseline, so do not worry if that happens.

When can I get a Mammogram after breast reduction? I am worried about the "squish"

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