To answer this is to know your plans- sooner or later for the pregnancy. Also whether you may wish to breast feed. If you plan to breast feed, wait for reduction. If not, you can do it any time, although you area likely to want or need touch up surgery after pregnancy to maintain the optimum cosmetic result. If you are not planning on having a family for many years, there is no reason to continue to suffer with the symptoms related to your large chest. But you may not be able to breast feed thereafter.
Thank you for your excellent clinical post. The question as to breast reduction before or after pregnancy really depends on many factors. If you are anticipating pregnancy imminently or if you want the highest probably and possibility of successfully breastfeeding and want the best possible post-breastfeeding and pregnancy, aesthetic breast restoration, elevation and lift then waiting until after pregnancy certainly makes some sense.
However, if you’re uncertain when or if you will get pregnant you’ll want an excellent aesthetic breast position and lift with a reduction in enlarged breast symptomatology such as neck or back pain then you may consider breast reduction surgery prior to pregnancy. There is a slight reduction in successfully breastfeeding after breast reduction, however, surprisingly 85% or more of breast reduction patients can successfully breastfeed.
These are some of the many factors you will likely have to consider in making a decision undergoing breast reduction surgery prior to pregnancy. I would seek the advice of a plastic surgeon with years of experience performing breast reduction surgery and carefully weigh the various options.
I hope this information has been of some assistance and best of luck.
For more information, please review our breast lift page.
R. Stephen Mulholland, M.D.
Certified Plastic Surgeon
Yorkville, Toronto
Additional Information
Breast Augmentation (Augmentation, Mammaplasty, Breast Enlargement or Breast Implants)
American Board of Plastic Surgery
To answer this is to know your plans- sooner or later for the pregnancy. Also whether you may wish to breast feed. If you plan to breast feed, wait for reduction. If not, you can do it any time, although you area likely to want or need touch up surgery after pregnancy to maintain the optimum cosmetic result. If you are not planning on having a family for many years, there is no reason to continue to suffer with the symptoms related to your large chest. But you may not be able to breast feed thereafter.
Steven Yarinsky, MD, FACS
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
Specializing in Cosmetic Medicine
Over 25 Years of Experience
Visit http://www.yarinsky.com
American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Dear Jess,
Thank you for your excellent clinical post. The question as to breast reduction before or after pregnancy really depends on many factors. If you are anticipating pregnancy imminently or if you want the highest probably and possibility of successfully breastfeeding and want the best possible post-breastfeeding and pregnancy, aesthetic breast restoration, elevation and lift then waiting until after pregnancy certainly makes some sense.
However, if you’re uncertain when or if you will get pregnant you’ll want an excellent aesthetic breast position and lift with a reduction in enlarged breast symptomatology such as neck or back pain then you may consider breast reduction surgery prior to pregnancy. There is a slight reduction in successfully breastfeeding after breast reduction, however, surprisingly 85% or more of breast reduction patients can successfully breastfeed.
These are some of the many factors you will likely have to consider in making a decision undergoing breast reduction surgery prior to pregnancy. I would seek the advice of a plastic surgeon with years of experience performing breast reduction surgery and carefully weigh the various options.
I hope this information has been of some assistance and best of luck.
For more information, please review our breast lift page.
R. Stephen Mulholland, M.D.
Certified Plastic Surgeon
Yorkville, Toronto