Breast Reduction Pregnancy and Breast Feeding

Women seeking breast reduction do so from the stand point of symptom relief, particularly neck and shoulder pain that interferes with their activities of daily living. It is done so as to place the breast in a lifted position and proportionate to the body. Any surgery on the breast can interfere with the ability to breast feed as well as sensation to the nipple. A breast reduction should have no impact on your delivery but the appearance of the breast after a body altering condition such as pregnancy can not be predicted. Generally, I would recommend that women consider waiting until after child bearing is done unless the physical symptoms are severe and constant. Mammogram would not be used to assess future risks and having a breast reduction does not alter ones risk of breast cancer in the future.

I think virtually any plastic surgeon that you discuss this with would give you an answer very similar to the excellent response by Dr. Gartside below.

In my practice, I advise my patients that it is possible that they will be able to breast feed but more than likely they will need to supplement bottle feedings as well. Mammograms are obtained if there is a significant history prior to surgery or if the woman is 40 or older. The breast tissue removed is submitted for examination to rule out any possible of disease (cancer). Subsequent mammograms are reviewed in the typical manner and recommended intervals after surgery. There should be no cause and effect on a delivery from a prior breast reduction.