Should I wait to lose weight to get a breast reduction?

Question

I am 53 years old, 5' 5", and about 160 pounds. I am working out and losing weight but I am planning on a breast reduction. I am a 38H and plan on a full D. Would it be better to wait until I lose the last 30 pounds or can I get it sooner? What difference will the weight loss be on my breasts? I don't want sagging. Thank you.

Brian K. Brzowski, MD, FACS · Answer

I will often rely on a patient's past experience of weight loss on their breast tissue to gauge whether to delay surgery if they anticipate further change in their weight.  Nonetheless, I'll usually try to have them put off surgery until things have stablelized.   Typically, patients who say that weight change has never impacted the size of their breasts are correct and will not have issues with the development of looseness or volume change if they lose weight after a breast reduction.You are right to worry that changes in the breasts after a reduction certainly could result in the occurrence of looseness or loss of a pleasing fullness.When possible, the smartest thing to do is to wait.

Tania Medina de Garcia, MD · Answer

Yes, is an excellent option to lose weight before breast reduction because the healthier you are before a procedure better results you will get

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Thank you for the question.Congratulations on your decision to proceed with breast reduction surgery; it is one of the most patient pleasing operations we perform.Although the breast reduction surgery may help you at this point, if you are contemplating the weight loss then it would be in your best interest to have the breast surgery after you have  reached your long-term stable weight (If possible). This will improve your chances of achieving your goals and minimize the chances that revisionary breast surgery (to treat “sagging” for example) will be necessary afterwards.  You may find the attached link, dedicated to breast reduction surgery concerns, helpful to you as you learn more.Best wishes.

Kenneth D. Christman, MD · Answer

By all means, if you are planning to lose weight, lose it prior to a breast reduction procedure.  If you lose 30 lbs. after the surgery, you will likely have some weight loss in your breasts, leading to more sagging.

Should I wait to lose weight to get a breast reduction?

Answers (4)

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