Will I be able to breast feed after breast reduction surgery?

The majority of breast reduction techniques utilized today preserve breastfeeding capabilities. Learn more from Michael Howard, MD, about breastfeeding after a breast reduction surgery.

Transcript

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The majority of breast reduction techniques that are utilized today by plastic surgeons do keep the breast--

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underlying breast gland connected to the overlying nipple, and the ducts are connected.

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Is breastfeeding possible after breast reduction surgery? Breast reduction surgery does require a substantial amount

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of re-arrangement of breast skin and gland internally and really is a significant reconstructive procedure

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internally within the breast. However, this being said, the majority of breast reduction techniques that are utilized today by plastic surgeons do keep the breast--

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underlying breast gland connected to the overlying nipple, and the ducts are connected.

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And this connection is not disrupted. So theoretically, with most breast reduction techniques,

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the structural framework for-- necessary for breast feeding is not altered.

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However, this does assume that the patient, the woman, was going to be able to breastfeed in the first place, which may or may not be the case.

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But as patients go and as surgeries go, most women should be able to breastfeed.

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I can attest to that from several patients that I've treated over the years who have been able to successfully breastfeed after I've performed

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breast reduction for them. So Yes, it is distinctly possible for that to happen.