Did my breast reduction affect my pecs? 3 years post-op.

Question

I had a breast reduction almost 3 years ago and everything went very smoothly. I have been seriously working out for the past 2 and a half years and I feel that my pecs are not gaining strength the way the rest of my body is. Would my surgery have touched/harm those muscles and did my breast reduction affect those muscles in a permanent way? Can I expect any change in those muscles at this point?

Aisha White, MD · Answer

Breast reduction surgery addresses skin and breast tissue, but not the underlying pectoralis muscle. Your surgery should not affect your ability to gain strength to your chest muscles.

Gregory A. Buford, MD, FACS · Answer

Great question!The simple answer is...no!  Breast reduction surgery affects only the breast tissue itself and not the underlying muscle.  If you are having trouble gaining weight in your chest, you may want to change up your training regimen and see if that helps!I hope that helps and wish you the very best!-Gregory A Buford MD FACSBoard Certified Plastic Surgeon and Author

John Sampson, MD (license obligations) · Answer

Hello thank you for your question.  Breast reductions only address excess skin, fat, and tissues of the breast and do not disturb the underlying muscle. Good luck to you!

Alastair J. Platt, FRCS (plast) · Answer

Breast reduction surgery is carried out superficial to the underlying muscles.  It is therefore very unlikely that your breast reduction surgery has affected your pectoral muscles.  Best wishes.

David M. Deisher, MD (retired) · Answer

Thank you for your question.  A breast reduction addresses the skin, subcutaneous tissue and breast tissue that all sit above the pectoralis muscle.   Unless there is an unusual nerve pattern for innervation of the pec muscle the chance of injury from a breast reduction is very very unlikely.   Try altering your work out pattern and consider asking one of the personal trainers at your gym for some extra chest wall exercises.

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