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How Soon After Breast Reduction Can One Become Pregnant?

I am scheduled for breast reduction in a few weeks. I am now considering having another child, since I am of older maternal age I do would not want to wait too long. My surgery will be covered by insurance and do not want to delay plans because I don't know when I will be able to rescheduled and probably will not.

Although I will be happy not to go through another pregnancy with the pain of enormous breasts, I do not want to interfere with healing. Is it safe to become pregnant 3 months after surgery? Thanks.

 

Doctor Answers 11

October 2nd, 2012

Pregnancy following reduction.

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Thanks for the question.  You should easily be able to start trying to become pregnant within 3 months following breast reduction surgery.  You might still have a very slight amount of swelling at that point but your breast should be healed well enough to not experience any problems.

Shaun Parson, MD
January 17th, 2010

Is it okay for me to get pregnant 3 months after Breast Reduction?

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Hi there-

I think this is possible and safe for you and your baby, but probably does not represent the best planning possible....

If you are certain you want both another child and a breast reduction, I would recommend you have your baby, allow your body to recover, then have your breast reduction.

If you have the reduction first, I would be concerned that the pregnancy will produce changes that increase your chances of needing a second operation after the delivery of the baby.

Learn more: http://www.DrArmandoSoto.com

Armando Soto, MD, FACS
January 4th, 2010

Pregnancy after breast reduction is safe and common

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Pregnancy after breast reduction is very common, safe, and will not ruin the results of surgery. The breast will not sag more as the nipple position after the 'lift' in a reduction procedure is very stable. Healing will not be impacted as well because you should wait after any major surgery, breast reduction or other procedures about three normal cycles after a general anesthesia before becoming pregnant, plenty of time for complete healing from a reduction. Breast feeding will be affected, and though the breast will lactate and you can attempt to breast feed, it is most likely that you will have to supplement.

If this is your golden moment for reduction you may wish to take it. Pregnancy does require planning though. Talk to your OB as well concerning time to rest and cycle your body after anesthesia, medication planning or avoidance, and nutrition.

Best of luck.

Learn more: http://www.peterejohnsonmd.com/breast-reduction

Peter E. Johnson, MD
January 3rd, 2010

Pregnancy after breast reduction

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Pregnancy within 6-8 weeks after breast reduction would be fine from a safety standpoint and from any risk to the fetus from medications. But if you want to become pregnant so quickly why not wait to do the reduction until after you are done having kids? The next pregnancy could ruin the results of your reduction and you might need to re-tighten it later.

Learn more: http://www.randcosmeticsurgery.com

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
October 20th, 2014

Breast Reduction prior to pregnancy

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Yes, waiting 3 months should be fine prior to becoming pregnant again. It sounds like you are aware that a further breast procedure is often needed afterwards and that the Breast Reduction surgery may prevent you from breast feeding.

Learn more: http://www.pacificcenterplasticsurgery.com/breast-procedures-newport-beach/reduction/

Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS, FACS
December 29th, 2011

Breast Reduction and Pregnancy?

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Thank you for the question.

Yes it is safe to become pregnant 3 months after breast reduction surgery.

Best wishes.

Learn more: http://www.poustiplasticsurgery.com/Procedures/procedure_breastreduction.htm

Tom J. Pousti, MD, FACS
January 10th, 2010

Best to wait until after pregnancy to have breast reduction

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It would be safe to get pregnant within a few weeks after breast reduction. However, pregnancy will change the results of your breast reduction as there will be some enlargement of your breasts with milk production. When your breasts return to their normal size, you will likely note some sagging or settling of your breasts. Some women experience a change in breast size and shape that persists after pregnancy such that the breasts are larger or smaller than they were before pregnancy. For all these reasons, it would be best to wait until after your family is complete to have a breast reduction. Your surgeon can then best judge the proper amount of tissue to remove to give you the most appropriate long lasting result.

Michael D. Yates, MD
Huntsville Plastic Surgeon

January 6th, 2010

Pregnancy and breast reduction

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If you are planning to become pregnant soon, I would probably put off the breast reduction and have it done after you completed child birth.

Steven Wallach, MD
January 4th, 2010

Safe to get pregnant 3 months after breast reduction.

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 Hi.

It is entirely safe to have a pregnancy after breast reduction.  But the pregnancy, as you know, will change your breasts again. You may need a later revision.  So personally, I would recommend having the breast reduction after your last baby.

George J. Beraka, MD (retired)
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

January 4th, 2010

Pregnancy following breast reduction

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If you like, you could become pregnant anytime following your reduction. The wounds should be well-healed and strong when engorgement occurs. However, I would recommend delaying your reduction if you are determined to become pregnant shortly thereafter. Pregnancy can certainly undo many of the benefits of your reduction and there is probably not a good reason to undergo the reduction first.

John Whitt, MD (retired)
Louisville Plastic Surgeon

These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.