How Will Further Weight Loss After Breast Reduction Results?

         The results of
breast reduction surgery are better when patients are near their ideal body
weight. When patients are overweight they’re encouraged to lose weight prior to
surgery, unfortunately, the majority of patients with weight issues are not
successful dieting. Despite this, patients who are overweight derive
significant benefits from breast reduction. Many have increased exercise
tolerance following reduction and are able to lose weight elsewhere. For these
reasons, we don’t view excess weight as an absolute contra indication to breast
reduction surgery.

 

         It’s not unusual for
patients who lose weight following breast reduction to have changes in their
breasts. This may involve additional loss of breast volume and the development
of recurrent breast sag. When this situation arises secondary surgery may be
necessary. In some cases, either a breast lift or secondary breast reduction
may be indicated. Even when secondary breast surgery is necessary because of
continued weight loss, breast reduction patients report high satisfaction
rates. 

While it’s true that being at a healthy weight typically improves surgical outcomes, plastic surgeons understand that having excessively large breasts can make it difficult to exercise and lose the weight. The typical rule of thumb is to aim for a BMI of 30. This number is on the cusp between “overweight” and “obese,” and can be a fairly reasonable goal for you to work toward. Keep in mind that excessive weight loss after a breast reduction may affect your results, so if you plan to lose a more significant amount of weight, I recommend making every effort to do so before your surgery.

Weight loss after a reduction may cause your breasts to be smaller than you'd like, or sag undesirably. Sagging can be corrected with breast lift surgery and breast implants can give you larger breasts. If you're okay with the undesirable aesthetic effects, then please consult a board certified PS.

Losing weight following your breast reduction may influence your results depending on the amount of weight lost and your unique physiology. It could contribute to sagging or a further decrease in breast size. On the other hand, it may not affect your results at all. It is difficult to say for sure.

If you continue to lose weight after your breast reduction, you will likely lose some volume in your breasts. In some women the skin shrinks along with the breast tissue, and you are just left with smaller breasts. In other women, the skin does not shrink and the breasts look droopy because now there is less breast tissue in the same size skin "envelope".
Ideally you are at your goal weight before your reduction, but like you said, it's a tough situation because very large breasts get in the way of exercising and can make it very uncomfortable. After a reduction, you can fit into clothing better, have less weight to carry, and less tissue physically in the way, making exercise more appealing and tolerable.
Keep in mind once you do achieve a stable lower weight, you can have a revision to fix any drooping that may have developed. (If you go for a revision with a different surgeon, make sure you find out what type of pedicle was used on your first surgery so you can notify your current surgeon.)
If you lose more breast volume than you want, but are happy and stable at a lower body weight, you have the option of adding an implant to restore volume.
Good luck!

Hi there-
This is not an uncommon problem- you want to lose weight in order to proceed with your breast reduction, but have a terrible time exercising BECAUSE of your large breasts!
It is important for you to understand the implications of your decision making. The further you are from your target weight at the time of surgery, the more likely that when you do achieve your desired weight you might need a revision of your breast reduction to achieve a pleasing long term outcome.
In most cases, this is a minor procedure, and well tolerated.
On the other hand, if you think you can manage to lose the weight before your procedure, it's always nice to only have to have one operation instead of two.
If you would like to know more about how best to find a plastic surgeon you like and can trust, please read this:

 Thank you for the question.

Depending on how much weight you lose after the breast reduction surgery your breasts will likely become smaller and/or more ptotic (droop).  As you know, it would be best to be as close as possible to your long-term “stable” weight before the surgery to avoid these postoperative changes ( which occasionally cause patients to seek further  breast surgery).

Best wishes.

 

If you undergo a breast reduction and then lose weight, your breasts may deflate a bit.  It is difficult to predict.

Another great question. We all get asked this during a breast reduction consultation. The fact of the matter is if you lose weight in your breasts with body weight loss then this will continue after breast reduction. All women lose weight in some areas greater than others. If you lose weight in your breasts then this will continue after breast reduction. But I agree that the surgery will help you to exercise more and in the long run is better off done now instead of after the weight loss.

Prior to under going breast reduction surgery, you should be at or near your goal weight. Although many patients feel they need to under go breast reduction surgery prior to losing weight, this is not the case. Patients can optimize their condition prior to surgery with diet and exercise. If a significant amount of weight loss occurs after breast reduction surgery, this can alter the shape and appearance of a womans breasts. In some instances, a patient may require a lift or another reduction.