Should I Lose Weight Before Breast Reduction Surgery?

Having a breast reduction can be hugely beneficial for women. It is also a big financial and emotional commitment, which is why you should do everything you can to ensure you are happy with the results of the cosmetic surgery. 

One thing we highly recommend is that you pursue this cosmetic surgery after you have reached your ideal weight, for reasons explained below.

Benefits of Losing Weight Before Breast Reduction

Recovery

Patients who are at a healthy weight are more likely to have a faster and smoother recovery after their cosmetic surgery. Having excess fat is associated with poor wound healing, cardiovascular problems, and other surgical complications, which can make for a slower recovery. 

For these reasons, surgeons only perform excisional surgeries, such as breast reduction, on patients with a BMI lower than 30.

Results

Losing weight after your breast reduction surgery can affect its results. When you lose weight, your breasts, along with the rest of your body will change in size and shape. 

Therefore, by reaching your ideal weight, you can determine if a breast reduction is needed and what the ideal bust size would be for your slimmer physique. Whereas, losing weight after breast reduction may change the proportions of your body and increase the likelihood of an unsatisfactory result.

How to Lose Weight Before Breast Reduction

Diet

Oftentimes, people struggle to lose weight due to a poor diet that doesn’t address the unique nutritional needs of their bodies. In general, a diet that is high in protein and low in carbohydrates is most conducive to weight loss.

 Our dieticians help patients achieve their weight loss goals by creating personalised weight loss programmes based on each patient’s body composition and other individual factors affecting their weight.

Exercise

A 60-minute workout five days per week that combines cardio and strength training exercises is recommended for weight loss. Cardio exercises such as running, cycling, or swimming will help burn fat by elevating your heart rate, while strength training exercises such as weight lifting, lunges, and push-ups will increase your metabolism and build lean muscle mass, helping you burn more calories.

Get Enough Sleep

Sleep has been shown to affect weight loss in several ways, including regulating your appetite, increasing your metabolism, and providing energy for regular exercise. Likewise, a lack of sleep has been shown to increase the risk of high blood pressure, high insulin levels, and a host of other ailments that can impede weight loss. Therefore, you should ensure that you are getting the recommended 7-9 hours of sleep every night. 

Stay Hydrated

Water is a key component in every bodily function, including the ones associated with weight loss. It can suppress your appetite, increase your metabolism, maintain a healthy digestive system, and much more. Therefore, it’s vital that you drink the recommended 6-8 glasses of water per day to aid your weight loss efforts.

Be Consistent

Consistency is key when it comes to weight loss. Rather than resolve to quick fixes and fad diets, establishing a regular diet, exercise, and sleep routine will help you steadily lose weight in a safe way. Additionally, a gradual but consistent weight loss routine will help you avoid fluctuations in weight that can alter the results of your cosmetic surgery.

Will Losing Weight Reduce My Breast Size?

In most cases, the breasts are mostly made up of fat, along with some breast tissue. Therefore, losing weight may shrink the fat cells in your breasts, thus making them smaller. However, the extent of the size reduction varies greatly from person to person, depending on how much fat is stored in the breasts.

Losing Weight After Breast Reduction Surgery

The results of your breast reduction may be affected if you lose weight after the cosmetic surgery. As mentioned, in most women, fat tissue makes up the majority of the breast volume. Therefore, losing weight after breast reduction may decrease your breasts further. Additionally, it may alter the shape and contouring effects created by the cosmetic surgery.

Is Breast Reduction Worth It?

Breast reduction can be a beneficial procedure for many women for both cosmetic and functional reasons. In addition to creating a more proportionate figure, the cosmetic surgery can alleviate a range of physical symptoms associated with having large breasts, including back pain, numbness, and shortness of breath. Additionally, a breast reduction may make it easier for you to exercise and maintain your weight.

Schedule a Consultation with CREO Clinic

Dr Omar Tillo is a double board-certified plastic surgeon specialising in breast reduction surgery alongside a host of other body contouring procedures. If you are considering a breast reduction, book a consultation with Dr Tillo at the CREO Clinic to discuss a bespoke treatment plan for achieving proportionate breasts.