Looking to get a breast reduction. Is there a maximum weight for this surgery?

Hello and thank you for your question.
It is best to be at a healthy, stable weight with BMI around 32. Schedule a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon to discuss your options. Best wishes!

Dear Sensible783286,
generally speaking, you want to reach your goal weight before you consider a surgery, otherwise your results will be suboptimal if you continue to lose weight after the surgery.If you are considering a surgery, I would suggest you to consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. Only after a thorough examination you will get more information and recommendations.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

If you are planning to apply for health insurance coverage of the BR, your weight and other requirements such as you suffer back, shoulder, and neck "pain" with DOCUMENTED medical attention over a period of a YEAR, previous medical management, and enough tissue that should be removed will be considered by your medical insurance provider. Consult with a board certified PS who can evaluate your medical condition, discuss the pros and cons of the BR as it applies to you, determine the amount of tissue to be removed, and help you in completing the paperwork required by the insurance provider. If you current weight and height place you in a BMI category for approval of the surgery and you are in good health, your probability for coverage is more likely.

We never work in specific weights but rather BMI

Different surgeons have different cut off's to which they will perform Breast Reduction surgery. For myself I generally do not operate on patients above a BMI of 30-32.

Other surgeons may operate on high BMI's which is why its really important for you to have this discussion with your referring surgeon.

If you are wondering how to calculate your BMI its easy to google, all you needs to know is your height and weight

All the best

Dr Jalil

Though there isn't a minimum or maximum weight requirement for this surgery, your general health will be considered to determine if you are a candidate. Another consideration is that some women will notice changes in their breasts with weight fluctuations. For that reason it is recommended that you are at a stable, healthy weight when considering reduction.

Thank you for your question. Weight is not a reason not to have breast reduction surgery. But as your weight becomes very high, then the major risks are those associated with weight increases, including anesthesia issues and infection. With a very heavy weight, your overall complication rates are higher. If you are willing to accept those, then you can move forward with surgery.

Dear Sensible783286,
It would be a good idea to calculate your BMI (Weight/height squared). Every plastic surgeon has his or her own criteria of BMI for proceeding with a breast reduction. Many studies have shown decreased wound healing and blood supply related complications with a BMI less than 35. If you have a planned weight loss prior to surgery, you are likely to have a better aesthetic result, since any skin redundancy from weight loss can be addressed at the time of the reduction in contrast to having a weight loss after breast reduction. In addition, the overall risks of surgery are also decreased if your BMI is less than 35. Good luck.