Overweight and Breast Reduction Surgery: Worth Doing?

It’s not unusual for women with breast enlargement to be overweight.  Breast enlargement is a disabling condition that often leads to inactivity.  Women with breast hypertrophy frequently give up activities that they have historically enjoyed because of disabling symptoms.  This often leads to inactivity and subsequent weight gain.
In our experience breast reduction surgery alleviates many of these disabling symptoms.  Following breast reduction, women often become more active.  This often leads to a more healthy life style and subsequent weight loss.
Unfortunately, insurance companies frequently require weight loss before approving payment for breast reduction surgery.  Significant symptoms associated with breast hypertrophy can make this a difficult proposition.
Breast reduction surgery in patients who are over weight can be the first step in a change in life style.  Not only can breast reduction alleviate many of the symptoms associated with this condition, but can result in weight loss because of increased exercise tolerance. In patients who are overweight breast reduction can significantly improve over all quality of life.  In most cases, breast size is stable following breast reduction, unless patients experience weight gain.
If you’re considering breast reduction surgery, consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon that has experience in this area would be appropriate.

The question to ask is whether your breast size decreases or increases with weight changes. That will determine whether your breasts will enlarge after a breast reduction. If weight change affects the size of your breasts, then the size could increase if you gain a significant amount of weight. If you are going to maintain your weight following the breast reduction, your breasts should not increase in size.

In a perfect world, everyone would be at his or her ideal body weight before having surgery. It would reduce the potential complications or side effects of surgery and make the long-term result more predictable. Unfortunately not everyone is able to achieve their ideal body weight and therefore there are times when we have to compromise to treat conditions such as symptomatically large breasts. If patients are overweight, I ask patients to make a valid attempt at weight loss before surgery. At that point, if they are still overweight we can review any increased risks associated with their weight and decide whether the current symptoms such as back pain warrant the surgery. We can then make a joint decision to proceed with surgery.
There is always some risk that your breasts will enlarge in the future. There are many potential causes and weight gain is among them. Other potential causes include hormonal changes associated with pregnancy or menopause.
I hope this response is of some benefit to you. Good luck on your procedure.

Breast reduction surgery can offer significant relief for women who experience physical discomfort, such as back, neck, or shoulder pain, from excessively large breasts. This procedure can also boost self-esteem and improve overall quality of life. For women who are overweight, it's important to note that breast size is often influenced by body weight, as breasts are composed of both glandular tissue and fat. While the glandular tissue removed during breast reduction typically does not regenerate, any weight gain after surgery can cause the remaining breast tissue to increase in size again, potentially leading to enlargement.


Many surgeons recommend achieving a stable weight before undergoing breast reduction to help ensure more predictable and long-lasting results. If weight loss is planned, it may be beneficial to wait until you’ve reached your desired weight to undergo the procedure. This is because the breast size and shape can change with fluctuations in weight. If you are unable to lose weight beforehand, breast reduction can still be a viable option, but maintaining a stable weight post-surgery is important for optimal results. Consulting with an experienced plastic surgeon will help you understand the best timing for the surgery and manage expectations based on your unique situation.


Dr. Krishna Vyas, MD, PhD, MHS
Harvard, Johns Hopkins, & Mayo Clinic Educated
Double Fellowship Trained
Aesthetic Plastic Surgeon
New York, New York

Hello and thank you for your question.
To achieve the best result, you will want to be as your ideal weight, or close to it. Schedule a consult with a board certified plastic surgeon to discuss your options. Best wishes!

If you have disproportionate breasts that are uncomfortable and sagging, you may be a great candidate for a breast reduction even if you are overweight. Provided you are healthy otherwise and a non smoker. If you get a breast reduction and then go on to experience a significant weight fluctuation (up or down), there is the possibility that the breasts can look different. For example, a 50 lb weight loss after a breast reduction can make the breasts look deflated and slightly saggy if you tend to weight fluctuate in your breasts.

So much has to do with what weight you can maintain going forward.  If you are more or less at a weight you will stay at (even though "too much" by the charts) then you can have a reduction and expect a stable result long term.  The same applies if you lose 10-15 pounds after a reduction.I do not recommend that my patients have a breast reduction (or lift or tummy tuck, etc) and then lose 40 pounds. Results may sag.  If you can and will lose 40 pounds, do that first.  Then have the reduction for the most stable long term result.  Best of luck!  Dr. Romanelli

When deciding to get a breast reduction an important consideration is self image. If you feel disproportionate and this is impacting your self confidence then considering a breast reduction is a good idea. While weight gain can cause your  breasts to enlarge so will hormonal changes, such as during pregnancy/lactation. With this in mind, it is not uncommon to have more than one breast reduction. The decision to get a breast reduction is a very individual choice, considering that in many cases this may be completely elective. 

If the breast size is holding you back from what you want to do, it is not unreasonable to have the procedure done sooner rather than later.  Consult either virtually or in-office with a board certified plastic surgeon who is an expert in breast reduction surgery so that you can discuss your ultimate goals, its pros and cons, the best time to have the surgery, and whether your medical insurance is likely to pay for it.

You would be much better off health wise if you would lose weight and get closer to your ideal body weight prior to surgery.  This would help in you recovery and healing phase after surgery.  Otherwise you may end up needing a revision on your breast because you have lost a lot of fat in the breast area making you deflated in breast volume and leaving you with a redundant skin envelope.