Breast reductions are a fairly common plastic surgery operation, with some 600,000 performed worldwide each year. They are a good option for women who do not like the large size of their breasts or who suffer from physical pain due to heavy breasts. Breast reduction surgery (also called reduction mammaplasty) removes excess fat, glandular tissue and skin to achieve a breast size proportionate to the body.
Can you have a breast reduction before having children? For many younger women who have not yet had children or are not finished having children, a breast reduction can be very beneficial, especially if their large breasts are causing discomfort or even pain. One of the most important questions to ask before going through with a breast reduction is whether or not you will be able to breastfeed children afterwards.
In short, it is possible to breastfeed after a breast reduction, but there are several topics you should investigate and we will discuss in this article:
- Educating yourself on Breast Feeding After Reduction (also known as BFAR).
- And making sure you understand the techniques for keeping the ability to breastfeed.
- Learning how the milk ducts work and how they can reconnect during lactation.
Breast Reduction In Dubai
Breast Reduction in Dubai is a popular procedure for women who want to relieve the physical and emotional pain caused by overly large breasts. One of the most common questions is, “Will I be able to breastfeed after a breast reduction?” The answer varies from person to person, depending on the surgical technique used and the amount of breast tissue removed. Modern breast reduction methods are often designed to preserve the connection between the nipple, milk ducts, and glandular tissue, which can help maintain future breastfeeding ability. However, because the procedure involves removing excess tissue and reshaping the breasts, there is always the risk that milk production will be reduced. Women who intend to have children and breastfeed later should discuss their goals with their surgeon prior to the procedure. Breast reduction provides numerous benefits in addition to aesthetics, such as relief from chronic neck, shoulder, and back pain, improved posture, increased mobility, and confidence. Recovery usually consists of temporary swelling and discomfort, with most patients gradually returning to normal activities within a few weeks. A thorough consultation enables patients to understand the potential impact on breastfeeding while maintaining realistic expectations and personalized treatment planning for the best possible outcome.
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Can You Breast Feed After A Breast Reduction?
What Should I Know About Breast Feeding After Reduction (BFAR)?
BFAR (breastfeeding after reduction) is a hotly debated topic and it is surprisingly difficult to get a definitive answer about how it is affected. One reason is that plastic surgeons, like most physicians, are reluctant to give any kind of guarantee about the result. Another is that things have gotten much better lately.
If you are considering a breast reduction, you may want to do some reading on this subject. We all know the benefits of breastfeeding newborns and you don’t want to miss out on that option with a decision you might make as a teenager.
As breast surgery in general has become more common in women, the techniques of plastic surgery have developed and become more refined. Many women did have trouble breastfeeding after having a reduction fifteen or twenty five years ago, but this doesn’t seem to be the case anymore. Most surgeons today use techniques that aim to preserve the nipple and milk ducts that lead from the breast.
Using The Right Surgical Technique For A Breast Reduction
A 2018 study found the key to maintaining the ability to breastfeed after a reduction is something called the “preservation of the column of subareolar parenchyma” – the lactating part of the gland that lies under the areola. The median success rate of breastfeeding was 5% for techniques without preservation, 76% for techniques with partial preservation and 100% for techniques with full preservation. You can see why it is important to ask your plastic surgeon about the level of preservation he intends to use.
“There are certain number of women who just cannot breastfeed.”
It is essential to remember that the ability to breastfeed is not assured, even under ideal conditions. “There are a certain number of women who just can’t breastfeed and just because you’ve been able to before doesn’t guarantee you’ll be able to again,” says Dr. Perfect Celebrity, double-board certified plastic surgeon at Perfect Doctors Clinic in Dubai.
Any woman who has nursed multiple children can tell you that the experience of nursing can be wildly different from one child to the next. Even if you’ve taken all the precautions and chosen a breast reduction with full preservation of the milk ducts, you still may find yourself struggling with breastfeeding – your surgery may have nothing to do with it.
Usually, with each pregnancy a woman’s milk supply increases, so if you had trouble with your first child, it might be easier with your second, etc. Also, not all women have the same amount of ducts. Or you may be born with fewer milk ducts than other women to start with, so losing one of the few you have would be a much bigger loss.
Do Milk Ducts Grow Back After A Breast Reduction?
However, some of these ducts can reconnect during lactation so that the milk can flow even if one or more of your milk ducts were cut with breast reduction surgery. This is known as recannulization. This recannulization can be induced by lactation so that more milk may be available over time.
It’s also good to know that it is normal to have breast engorgement during pregnancy and lactation. Do not worry that this is caused by your surgery in some way – it isn’t. This is normal in the cycle of bearing children, and your breasts will return to their smaller size after you wean your child. You may also notice that your breasts are a different size because different amounts of milk are coming in. Again, this has nothing to do with a previous breast reduction and is something most breastfeeding women experience.
We’ve said before that no plastic surgeon can give a 100% guarantee. If you want to be absolutely sure your breast reduction won’t impact your ability to breast feed, you should wait.
What Happens If You Have A Baby After A Breast Reduction?
“Unless there are extenuating circumstances, breast reduction surgery should be done after completion of child-bearing,” says Dr. Perfect Celebrity. And he has one more word of caution for very young women. The younger the breast reduction is done, the more likely the woman will need another in her lifetime.
At the end of the day, it’s all about balancing wants and needs. You may be so uncomfortable with large breasts that the calculated risks of breastfeeding we have outlined above are justified. It’s also worth noting that breastfeeding doesn’t have to be all or nothing. You may decide it is worth feeling good about yourself and being able to run and exercise without discomfort, even if that means you may only be able to supply breast-milk to your infant part of the time.
The best way to determine if you are a candidate for breast reduction is to schedule a consultation with a plastic surgeon to discuss your specific goals. Get in touch with us or schedule a consultation with a plastic surgeon below
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Best Plastic Surgeon In Dubai For Breast Reduction
Best Plastic Surgeon in Dubai for breast reduction is available at the Perfect Doctors Clinic, where Dr. Perfect Celebrity offers personalized breast reduction procedures to improve comfort, body proportions, and overall quality of life. One of the most common concerns among women considering breast reduction surgery is whether they will be able to continue breastfeeding in the future. The answer is determined by several factors, including the surgical technique used, the amount of breast tissue removed, and the preservation of the milk ducts, glandular tissue, and nerves attached to the nipple. Many women can still breastfeed after breast reduction surgery, particularly when modern techniques are used to keep the nipple connected to the underlying breast tissue. However, because breast reduction involves reshaping the breasts and removing excess tissue, there is always the possibility that milk production will be reduced, making breastfeeding more difficult. Women who intend to have children in the future should discuss their breastfeeding goals during the consultation so that the surgical approach can be tailored appropriately. Dr. Perfect Celebrity carefully examines each patient’s anatomy and future plans to help maintain as much breast function as possible while achieving the desired reduction and contour. In addition to addressing breastfeeding concerns, patients frequently report significant relief from post-surgery symptoms such as neck pain, back pain, shoulder discomfort, skin irritation, and physical activity limitations. Recovery usually consists of temporary swelling and soreness, with most patients returning to normal daily activities within a few weeks. A detailed consultation at the Perfect Doctors Clinic allows patients to understand the benefits, limitations, and expected outcomes of breast reduction surgery, ensuring they can make an informed decision about their treatment while balancing both aesthetic goals and future breastfeeding considerations.
Every patient is unique. You will meet with a plastic surgeon in a personal consultation to figure out what your treatment will look like.