Reduction mammaplasty or the breast reduction procedure, is a cosmetic surgery designed to reduce the size of overly large breasts. The procedure involves removing excess breast tissue, fat, and skin to create a more proportionate and balanced breast size.
Many women undergo breast reduction surgery to relieve the physical and emotional discomfort caused by large breasts, including:
- Back, shoulder, and neck pain,
- Poor posture especially for female athletes with large breasts, self-consciousness, emotional, and mental stress
- Shortness of breath
- Permanent grooves in the shoulder from bra straps
- Chafing and skin irritation or rash under the breasts
- Reduces ability to take part in certain physical activity
- Inability to comfortably fit into certain bras, swimsuits, or tops
There are several benefits that women who undergo breast reduction procedure experience such as:
- Improved breathing
- Considerable reduction in discomfort and pain
- Minimal breast bounce
- A significant improvement in the upper body movement
- Gives a much improved range of motion and comfort while working out or exercising
One of the most common concerns that women have before undergoing breast reduction procedure is whether their breasts will grow back after the procedure. While breast reduction surgery is designed to provide long-lasting results, it is important to understand that there is a chance that your breasts may continue to change in size and shape over time.
Hence, it is important for you to note that breast reduction surgery does not completely eliminate the ability of the breast tissue to grow. The surgery removes excess breast tissue and fat to reduce breast size, but the remaining breast tissue can still undergo changes due to weight gain, hormonal fluctuations, and aging.
Factors that can affect breast size after breast reduction surgery include:
Weight gain
Weight gain can cause the remaining breast tissue to grow in size, which can result in larger breast size.
Hormonal fluctuations
Hormonal changes during puberty, pregnancy, and menopause can also cause breast tissue to grow or shrink, which can affect breast size after breast reduction surgery.
Aging
As you age, your breast tissue may lose its elasticity and firmness, causing the breasts to sag and appear larger.
Genetics
Your genetics can also play a role in breast size and shape, and some women may be more predisposed to changes in breast size after breast reduction surgery.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding
If you undergo pregnancy after a breast reduction surgery, you will find that the results of your procedure are compromised. With pregnancy and breastfeeding, the breasts grow bigger and are engorged causing the breast skin and tissue to stretch out.
Breast reduction surgery in your teens
If you get the surgery during your teenage years, you will have a high chance of the breasts growing again. This is when the body is still developing and is prone to many hormonal and developmental changes that can affect breast size and shape.
What are the factors you should take care of to prevent regrowth?
Despite the potential for breast tissue to grow back after breast reduction surgery, many women are still satisfied with the results of their surgery. Breast reduction surgery can provide significant relief from physical and emotional discomfort, and most women report feeling more comfortable and confident after the procedure.
To help minimize the chances of your breasts growing back after breast reduction surgery, it is important to take care of certain aspects:
Healthy lifestyle
Maintain a healthy lifestyle and avoid significant weight fluctuations. Regular exercise and a balanced diet can help you maintain a stable weight, which can in turn help to maintain your breast size.
Abiding by the post-operative instructions
Following your surgeon’s post-operative instructions carefully is vital. This may include avoiding strenuous activities, wearing a compression garment, and taking medications as prescribed. By following these instructions, you can help to ensure that your breasts heal properly and that your surgical results are long-lasting.
An additional surgery
In certain cases, an additional breast reduction surgery may be necessary if your breasts do grow back significantly. This may involve removing additional breast tissue and skin to reduce breast size again.
Final Word
Breast reduction surgery can provide long-lasting results, but it is important to understand that there is a chance that your breasts may continue to change in size and shape over time. Factors such as weight gain, hormonal fluctuations, aging, and genetics can all affect breast size after breast reduction surgery. However, by maintaining a healthy lifestyle and following your surgeon’s post-operative instructions carefully, you can help to minimize the chances of your breasts growing back after the procedure.
