How long should you wait to conceive after breast reduction?

Question

I am in the process of preparing for a breast reduction and I was wondering if anyone knows how long you should wait after a breast reduction to get pregnant? My husband and I already have a 2.5 yr old and we are planning to ttc in the near future. He's in the military so the soonest opportunity we would have would be December and then not again until August/September 2008. I haven't had a chance to speak with my surgeon about this concern yet, so I was hoping someone here has experienced this. Assuming things go as planned, we would conceive appr. 8-10 weeks post-op. Is that too soon?

Because I've had back problems for several years now which are exacerbated when I am pregnant. Also, I had problems after the birth of my son do to excess milk production (too much glandular tissue). I almost lost my left breast due to mastitis. The question at hand is not whether I should have a reduction or not. I'm having it. I just want to know if it's okay to ttc in December, or should I wait until next year. We wanted our children born close together but due to deployment with the military and a miscarriage, it hasn't happened so far. If I get pregnant in December, our son will be 3 by the time the next baby is born. If we wait until next year to ttc, he will be 4.

Anyway, my point is, is it too physically early to ttc 8-10 weeks post-reduction?

Answer 1

You should talk to your plastic surgeon about this.

It could be anywhere from 3 months post op till one year post op depending on if you have any complications with your surgery and recovery.

I personally would wait until your incisions are closed and you are back to 100% health before ttc. For me that was about four months post op.

And, unlike what some have said, with a breast reduction, they try to take out as much fatty tissue as they can. USUALLY your breasts go back to the same size after you are done breastfeeding, though that is not ALWAYS the case.

And, if you have extreme back pain, it would be good to get it done NOW. Just make sure your plastic surgeon does NOT do a Free Nipple Graft, as that lessens the chance of you being able to breastfeed after a reduction.

http://www.bfar.org

Answer 2

I think you are underestimating the recovery. Your breast will grow. Why don't you just wait til after the second baby is born? A surgeon who suggests doing it before you are finished with your children, is in it for the money. What happens when the breasts grow again? I wouldn't do it until after it.