I was wondering if I go ahead and get the reduction, if I plan to workout, will my breasts become saggy? Or will they slim down along with my body? I want to get the reduction then I will be able to work out the way I want to. I wear a 38O !
If weight reduction is an achievable goal, then by all means get your weight as close to “ideal” as possible prior to breast reduction. With reduction you remove the excess breast tissue as well as skin so you shape a nice breast. If you lose a significant amount of weight after reduction, you will lose fatty tissue within the breasts and they will “ deflate” to a degree, depending on your age, skin quality, and the amount of weight you lose. Subsequent pregnancy/breastfeeding can also impact the size and shape of the breasts. If you proceed with reduction now and lose weight after, you may need a revisional surgery after to retighten the skin. That second surgery, if needed, would be considered cosmetic and would not be covered by your health insurance.
Weight loss and breast reduction surgery often battle in a vicious cycle. Large breast size can be a significant hindrance to exercise and weight loss and many surgeons and insurance plans require attempts at weight loss prior to authorizing a breast reduction surgery. On the other hand, having a breast reduction and then losing a substantial amount of weight can affect the ultimate volume and size of the breasts. For many women, having the reduction helps jumpstart a healthy lifestyle that includes an improved ability to exercise which can be a motivator for ongoing weight loss and modifications in nutrition. Best wishes on a great result and speedy recovery!
Thank you for sharing your excellent question. As with all body contouring procedures it is wise to be as close to your ideal/stable body weight as possible prior to any procedure to remove skin as any significant weight reduction may impact your surgical results. Hope this helps.
Thanks for your question! Everyone has a different body type. How your skin responds after weight loss has a lot to do with your skin quality. If your skin is stretched out and has a lot of stretch marks chances are your skin will become saggy and will not shrink back. If you do not have a lot of stretch marks your skin may shrink back. Once you are at a stable weight for about 3-6 months is the best time to visit a plastic surgeon. Best of luck with your weight loss!
Rahul Vemula, MD - Plastic Surgery of the Face and Body
Diplomate of The American Board of Plastic Surgery
Diplomate of The American Board of Surgery
Active Member, ASPS
I tell patients there are two sides to this discussion. If you can achieve your planned body weight before reduction, your chosen plastic surgeon can give you the best final result. On the other hand, breast reduction now will allow you to be so much more active without discomfort, that many choose reduction first and work on weight loss goals afterward. Discuss your individual situation with your surgeon to help with your decision.
After any type of breast surgery, you should wear a supportive bra. However when you reduce and reform your breast they will not be so heavy and they should not sag as much.
Dr. Edward Jonas Domanskis is Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery
Newport Beach, San Francisco,Miami, EU, Anguilla, Nassau
Assistant Clinical Professor of SurgeryWOS-Plastic,University of California (Irvine)
Orange County’s Physician of Excellence/America’s Top Physicians/Top Doctors
Plastic Surgery- 2005-2018
President,American Society of Bariatric Plastic Surgeons
Organoderm Skin care/ScaRxTape
Given the size of your breasts, you shoul have a breast reduction unless you are very seriously overweight (e.g. BMI of 38 or higher) and need a gastric bypass first. If you lose weight after a breast reduction, the breasts will get looser. It is possible you might need a re-tightening of the reduction if you lost a lot of weight.