Breast Reduction After Pregnancy?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I am interested in breast reduction surgery. I am 24 years old, 5 feet tall and pregnant. I was a 32C before and am currently a 32G. You have high reviews on Real Self. I struggle with stretch marks on my breasts and have no faith in my breasts shrinking after because of them. I am interested in a combined breast reduction and lift. 

A: While you may ultimately need some combination of a breast reduction/lift, it would be important that you wait a full six months after delivery before having the procedure. You want your breasts to fully shrink down and be a stable size with whatever sagging may ensue. In essence you want to have a ‘stable target’ to operate on so the breast reduction result does not change appreciably afterwards due to still evolving changes in your breasts.

You may also be surprised how much your breasts will shrink after delivery. What seems like a breast size that can never go down adequately can actually even end up too small later. The sagging will not improve with time and a breast lift may ultimately be needed but it is way too early to say that you need a breast reduction as of yet.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana