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Is There an Ideal Weight for Breast Reduction Surgery?
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Breast reduction surgery can be life-changing for many women, offering relief from both the physical discomfort as well as the emotional distress that large breasts can cause. Whether it’s chronic neck, back and shoulder pains, difficulty and/or substantial discomfort engaging in a variety of physical activities or even challenges with finding well-fitting clothes, this surgery has helped countless women improve their quality of life.
Understanding the criteria for breast reduction surgery, particularly regarding weight and body mass index (BMI), is crucial for ensuring more ideal results.
In this blog, we will explore the importance of weight and BMI as they relate to breast reduction surgery and how they impact the procedure, risks and recovery.
Weight and Breast Reduction Surgery
Is there an “ideal” weight for breast reduction surgery?
While there isn’t one specific correct answer, having your weight in a healthier range can be very important in maximizing the quality and duration of your results and reducing the risks for intraoperative and postoperative complications. Being overweight or obese does increase the risks associated with any surgery, including breast reduction. Ideally, you should be both at a healthy as well as stable weight before undergoing this procedure.
Your commitment to a healthy weight can significantly contribute to the success of your surgery. Losing a substantial amount of weight following surgery can erase some of the aesthetic benefits of the procedure. The reason for this is that with less breast volume following the weight loss yet having the same amount of skin, the results will be droopier breasts that are less firm and youthful in nature.
Understanding BMI and Its Impact
BMI is a measure used to determine whether a person is underweight, at a healthy weight, overweight, or obese. BMI is calculated by dividing a person’s weight in kilograms by the square of their height in meters. Using pounds instead, the formula would be weight in pounds divided by the square of your height in inches and then multiplying that calculated number by 703.
A BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 is considered healthy, whereas 25 to 29.9 is overweight. A BMI of 30 and above is categorized as obese, while 40 and above is considered morbidly obese.
BMI is not a perfect parameter, nor is it the only indicator of health. However, it is clearly established that patients with a higher BMI are at an increased risk for several complications during and after breast reduction surgery. Some of these risks include:
- Increased Surgical Risks: A high BMI is associated with such issues as poor wound healing, wound separation, tissue necrosis, infection, blood clots and anesthesia-related complications.
- Poor Wound Healing: Obesity can impair the body’s ability to heal wounds efficiently, leading to prolonged healing, wound separation and infection. Inferior scarring is more common and pronounced.
- Challenges in Recovery: Patients with a higher BMI tend to experience a longer and more difficult recovery. Excess fat can compromise the body’s ability to heal, making it harder to achieve optimal results.
- Reduced Surgical Effectiveness: For individuals with a high BMI, the amount of tissue removed during the procedure may not result in the desired aesthetic changes. In addition, excess fat in other areas of the body may mask the overall result of the reduction. Weight fluctuations after surgery may cause the breasts to change shape and positioning, diminishing the long-term effectiveness of the procedure.
What If You’re Overweight?
If your BMI is higher than recommended, don’t be discouraged. Many women can still be good candidates for breast reduction surgery, but it’s important to work with your surgeon to assess the best path forward. Some patients are advised to lose weight before surgery in order to help reduce risks and increase the likelihood of a better outcome.
In many situations, losing even a small amount of weight can help improve your overall results. However, if your BMI is very high or in the morbidly obese category, a more profound reduction of weight is likely to be recommended by your plastic surgeon.
Consulting a board-certified plastic surgeon will help you determine whether you are a good candidate for surgery at your current weight or if weight loss should be part of your preparation.
The Bottom Line: No “One-Size-Fits-All” Ideal Weight
While there is no specific “ideal” weight for breast reduction surgery, there can be a range based on a person’s characteristics that will more likely lead to better results with a relatively low-risk profile. Having subsequent weight stability allows for maintaining the aesthetic component of the results longer.
Breast Reduction Specialist in Phoenix and Scottsdale Metropolitan Area
If you’re considering breast reduction surgery, the best first step is to schedule a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon. Dr. Steven H. Turkeltaub is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery with more than 35 years of experience performing cosmetic breast procedures including breast reduction surgery. He will evaluate your specific situation, including your weight and BMI, and help guide you on the path toward achieving the best possible outcome.
For more information about breast reduction surgery, call our Scottsdale office at 480.451.3000 or complete our online contact form.