No one can guarantee that you will be able to breast feed after a breast reduction procedure.
There is a lot of misunderstanding about breast feeding.
The research data published in regards to breast feeding after breast reduction suggests if you have had previous success breast feeding earlier children you will likely be able to feed if you chose to after reduction. The success rates for these women is 75-80%
If you have not had the opportunity to have children prior to breast reduction the most important factors dictating successful breast feeding after surgery are having a supportive obstetrician and access to skilled support and advice from a lactation consultant (breast feeding expert).
Only 15% of women (who have not had a breast reduction) breast feed exclusively for 6months which is the World Health Organisation recommendation. There are multiple reasons why this is the case.
Anything is possible, but it is most unliklely. If you put on a substantial amount of weight you breasts will increase in size to some extent. Re-growth of the breast tissue to the point where you would need to think about further surgery is extremely rare.
That is not really how it works. I am not aware of any surgeon, myself or anyone else, who will guarantee you a particular cup size after a breast reduction procedure. There are a number of reasons for this.
The first is there is no consistency in the cup sizes manufactured by the bra companies and most women will tell you they may be a D cup in one brand and a C cup or DD in another brand. The main reason cup size is not our primary focus is that this procedure is about restoring proportion rather than trying to make your body "fit" an arbitary cup size.
The "average" breast reduction is greater than 700 grams each side (1.4 kg in total). The reality for almost every woman is that if you have 1.4kg or more removed from the front of your chest and out of your bra the practical improvement to your day to day life is so great that cup size is irrelevant.
Research studies suggest that as little as 250 g removed each side can make a significant improvemnt in neck, back and shoulder pain. Considering most women have much greater amounts of tissue removed the relief of day to day neck, shoulder and back pain is the real reason breast reduction is so highly rated by patients.
If you really believe you would not be happy unless you wee a particular cup size you should not have the procedure performed. This is not a cosmetic surgery procedure it is about symptoms relief. If you are more concerned about size than symptom relief there is a risk you will be dissatisfied.
You will have bruising and swelling of your breasts in the immediate post procedure period over 2- 4 weeks. During this time your nipple, areola and skin of your breasts may be numb. After this for most women the sensation of the nipple returns.
There is a risk however, of permanent numbness of one or both of your nipples and areola from this procedure. The skin of the breasts adjoining any scars (the scar pattern can vary from patient to patient depending on your decisions about which procedure you choose) can have areas of numbness. These may slowly resolve but they can also be permanent in some cases.
