Breast Reduction and Breastfeeding

Posted on March 23, 2017

We often have patients coming to us with two concerns:
One, if they have already had breast reduction surgery, will they still be able to breastfeed if they get pregnant in the future.
And two, women who are looking for a breast reduction prior to getting pregnant for fear of their breasts further increasing in size during milk production post-pregnancy. In both cases, the common concern is if they will still be able to breastfeed.
Although it’s difficult to say definitively as every case is unique, the breast reduction technique Dr. Comizio most commonly uses is not likely to disrupt a woman’s ability to breastfeed. For patients who have not had their breast reduction yet, there are other considerations to take into account.

Breast Reduction Procedure

Breast reduction is very effective at reducing issues related to large breasts including neck and back pain, bad posture, skin rashes, and more. It is a fairly common procedure that Dr. Comizio performs. During the procedure, she makes every effort to place the incision in a location that is easily concealed under a bra or bikini top.

The procedure involves removing excess breast tissue including fat, skin, and glandular tissue. The glandular tissue is the actual breast structure. It includes things like milk ducts and lobules that produce milk after having a baby. Much consideration is taken not to inhibit the ability to lactate. Dr. Comizio will reshape the breasts so that they are naturally smaller and firmer. If the breasts have begun to sag, she will also lift the nipple to a more youthful position.

In some cases, a free nipple graft technique might be used where the nipple is detached from the remainder of the breast and grafted onto the breast exactly like a skin graft. This is a less common form of breast reduction and is used in extremely large breasts. This procedure may influence your ability to breastfeed.

Breast Reduction and Breastfeeding

When Dr. Comizio removes the fat and breast tissue during the breast reduction, the structures essential to the production of milk, like the milk ducts and the lobules that produce the milk, are often involved. The ability to breastfeed post surgery depends on how much breast tissue Dr. Comizio needs to remove to meet your goals, however she can leave blood supply and nerves intact that will increase the chances that you’ll be able to breastfeed.

In many cases, women question if it’s better to wait until after pregnancy to have a breast reduction.  This is something to take into consideration since it allow you to breastfeed and see how your breasts change or increase in size before undergoing a procedure. However, the burdens of large breasts may outweigh waiting. Despite having large breasts, some women find they are unable to breastfeed prior to breast reduction surgery. There are never any guarantees for the outcome of surgery, however Dr. Comizio will help you make an informed decision on the right timing for your surgery.

Many women who have had breast reduction surgery prior to getting pregnant have been able to breastfeed without any issues.

Dr. Comizio’s Approach

Dr. Comizio, an awarding-winning top breast surgeon,  has developed a revolutionary new “shared decision-making” system of patient care. Dr. Comizio and her team work with every patient to understand their concerns and then develops a custom treatment plan. Working together as a team allows for the best outcome possible. A breast reduction surgery can be life-changing and reduce pain and suffering that has been hindering a comfortable lifestyle.

For more information, you can watch video interviews with some past patients to get a better idea of the kind of world-class experience that you’ll get.

Please call our office to schedule your personal consultation: (973) 775-9248.