How soon after having a baby can you have breast reduction surgery done if you have always been top heavy?

Question

Is weightloss important in prior to breast reduction?

Ellen A. Janetzke, MD · Answer

If you breast fed your newborn I would ask you to wait up to 1 year after stopping to do the surgery. Sometimes the surgery can cause you to start lactating again which could cause significant problems with healing and even infection. It is always good to be as close to your goal weight before any plastic surgery procedure for best results.

Ira H. Rex III, MD · Answer

Many plastic surgeons like to wait about six months after the patient has stopped breast-feeding.

Jennifer Greer, MD · Answer

I generally have my patients wait 6 months after having a baby to have breast reduction surgery. And if they are nursing, I have them wait 6 months after they have stopped nursing to have surgery.

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD · Answer

As soon as the breasts are stable in size and no longer metabolically active a breast reduction can be done. Six months is probably a reasonable time interval.

Robert Drielsma, MBBS, BSc, FRACS · Answer

Thanks for your question.  I normally recommend patients wait six to twelve months before proceeding with breast reduction surgery.  Its important to allow enough time for your body and your breasts to settle after all the changes from pregnancy and breast feeding.  Its also ideal to be at your normal weight in order to achieve the best aesthetic outcome.

Tracy Kayan, MD · Answer

If you are breastfeeding and/or engorged you should wait at least 2 weeks before undergoing surgery. I would definitely recommend waiting longer if possible, as it will give you more time to lose post-baby weight as well as allow your breast tissue to return to "normal."  If you are planning on breastfeeding of course you should wait until you are finished with this. Keep in mind as well your surgeon will probably recommend that you give yourself adequate time to recover from surgery (ie no lifting over 10 lbs for a few weeks afterwards) so make sure you have plenty of help to take care of your baby after surgery.

Christine Sullivan, MD (retired) · Answer

I typically ask my patients to wait 6 months between the birth of their child and breast reduction. Schesule a consultaiotn wiht a board cetified plastic surgeon in your area. Best of luck!

Paul Silverstein, MD (retired) · Answer

I advise my patients to wait until they have stopped lactating before considering a breast reduction. By then the breast will have reached its final size, and bleeding will be less of a problem during surgery.

How soon after having a baby can you have breast reduction surgery done if you have always been top heavy?

Answers (8)

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