Can You Breastfeed After a Breast Reduction and Lift?
Posted August 27, 2025 in Breast Reduction
This blog discusses which breast procedures may affect breastfeeding and why, how breast reduction may cause issues, and how patients should plan their procedures.
4 Min Read:
Table of Contents
- How Does Breast Enhancement Surgery Affect Breastfeeding?
- Does Breast Reduction With a Lift Always Affect Breastfeeding?
- What to Do If You Want a Breast Reduction and Plan to Breastfeed
- Want to Learn More About Breast Reduction With a Lift in New York?
How Does Breast Enhancement Surgery Affect Breastfeeding?
If you’re considering some sort of breast enhancement surgery, such as breast augmentation or breast reduction, it’s important to understand the benefits and risks of these procedures, especially if you are planning on breastfeeding in the future.
Generally, breastfeeding issues should not arise after cosmetic surgery, but it is possible for procedures that affect the nerves, milk ducts, and glandular tissue. For example, breast augmentation has a relatively low risk of causing breastfeeding issues, as the procedure does not typically require alterations to the breast tissue, nerves, or milk ducts. A lot of this has to do with the incisions that are used during the procedure.
Breast reduction, however, may result in issues with breastfeeding, although this is rare. Because breast reduction deals with removing breast tissue and fat, and when paired with a breast lift, or mastopexy, this can further complicate the issue.
How Does Breast Reduction With a Lift Work?
To determine why a breast reduction with lift might affect your ability to breastfeed, you first have to understand how the procedure works.
During a breast reduction with lift, the goal is to reduce the size and weight of the breasts by removing excessive breast tissue (glandular tissue) and fat. A secondary goal is to improve the aesthetics of the breasts by lifting them via a breast lift procedure, which removes redundant skin (possibly caused by heavy breast tissue) and moves the breasts up higher on the chest wall for a more perky, youthful result. In some cases, the nipple-areolar complex is also adjusted, moved higher on the breast if they are downturned or misshapen.
Both procedures, when combined, create beautiful results that bring patients much satisfaction and joy. Breast reduction, especially, brings both aesthetic and physical comfort if the patient has suffered neck and back pain due to her large breasts.
Does Breast Reduction With a Lift Always Affect Breastfeeding?
No. Having a breast reduction does not always affect breastfeeding, but it is a risk that your surgeon will note. Unfortunately, while your surgeon can do their best to preserve nerve endings and glandular tissue, they cannot guarantee that your milk production will not be affected.
These procedures deal with removing glandular tissue, which holds many nerve endings, and can affect the milk ducts if they are severed during surgery. Glandular tissue is where milk is produced and then transported through the milk ducts to the nipples. The nipple-areolar complex is also important to breastfeeding, as the nerves in this area are responsible for sending signals to the brain to initiate milk production and maintain the flow.
If you have a breast reduction, it is not a given that you won’t be able to produce milk. However, the procedure deals with these functions, so it is a possibility.
What to Do If You Want a Breast Reduction and Plan to Breastfeed
If you are considering a breast reduction but are planning on breastfeeding in the future, it may be a good idea for you to wait until you are done having children to undergo the procedure.
However, if this is not an option, be sure to discuss your concerns with your plastic surgeon. While there are no guarantees, if they understand your concerns and future plans, they may be able to recommend an alternative surgical plan or adjust their technique.
Additionally, if you do find out that your milk production has been changed by breast reduction surgery, you can employ alternative options, such as seeking help from a lactation specialist or supplementing your milk supply with formula or human milk donors.
Want to Learn More About Breast Reduction With a Lift in New York?
Call Dr. Eric K. Cha at Fifth Ave Plastic Surgery today at (212) 717-2222 to learn more about your options for breast reduction surgery with a lift and to schedule your comprehensive consultation.