Breast reduction can be a life-changing procedure for women whose oversized, heavy breasts affect their daily activities, confidence and lifestyle. Breast reduction patients are among the most satisfied of all plastic surgery patients because of the incredible benefits of the procedure.
If you are considering breast reduction, you may have questions about the results and risks. A common query among breast reduction candidates is whether breast tissue can grow back after surgery, and if so, whether there is anything that can be done to avoid it.
Dr. Anna Wooten, a respected Pittsburgh breast reduction surgeon, addresses those questions below.
Breast Regrowth Is Rare but Possible
Most patients have a permanent reduction of breast size after surgery.
Although not common, on occasion breast tissue can grow back after breast reduction. Our bodies are unpredictable and can change in ways we don’t expect, for biological reasons. The breast reduction procedure removes a portion of glandular tissue (as well as fatty tissue and skin), but the remaining glandular tissue can enlarge after surgery due to pregnancy, breastfeeding, medications or other hormonal changes.
Patients whose breast tissue grows back after breast reduction are usually young when they have surgery (i.e., teenagers), and the procedure is typically performed before the breasts stop developing. These patients may notice their breasts enlarge later in life after a pregnancy, starting birth control pills, gaining weight or even undergoing menopause.
What Happens If My Breasts Enlarge after Surgery?
If your breasts enlarge after surgery, and the size of your breasts starts to affect your daily activities and self-confidence, you may want to consider revision surgery. This is a personal decision best left to you and your plastic surgeon, who can explain the risks and potential outcomes in greater detail.
Although the chances of breast regrowth after reduction are small, you should still discuss this with Dr. Wooten during your initial breast reduction consultation. Based on factors such as your age, your family history and whether you plan to become pregnant and breastfeed in the future, she can paint a clearer picture of the likely outcomes and risks.
Contact Our Breast Reduction Surgeon
To book a breast reduction consultation with Dr. Wooten, please contact Beleza Plastic Surgery today by calling (724) 759-7777 or sending us an email.