Ask a Surgeon - Breast Reduction - I am a 5’2’ 27 year old woman who weighs 270 pounds. I am eating correctly...

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I am a 5’2’ 27 year old woman who weighs 270 pounds. I am eating correctly now,...

Q:

I am a 5’2’ 27 year old woman who weighs 270 pounds. I am eating correctly now, and would like to know the likely outcome of any future weight loss with regard to my breasts. Is there any likelihood that my breasts will regain their original appearance once the weight has been dropped? If not, is breast reduction surgery a possible remedy? Or, will I require some other form of surgery, perhaps a mastopexy?

A:

It is impossible to predict, but I would speculate that some surgery would be necessary. Usually there is still some sagging (ptosis) of the breasts after a significant weight loss, but there may be some tightening depending on the skin tone. In a young person like yourself the tone is usually better so the need for surgery is less. If you have stretch marks, however, the likelihood for surgery is greater. Mastopexy is skin removal without breast tissue removal. If it is necessary to remove breast tissue then it becomes a breast reduction. Following a breast lift or breast reduction, in most cases, you can return to sedentary type of work within one or two weeks.