Am I Too “Heavy” or “Old” for Breast Reduction? New Data.
The Two Big Questions
When women consider breast reduction surgery, they often hesitate for two reasons. First, they worry about their weight (Body Mass Index or BMI). Second, they worry about their age.
Surgeons often struggle with these questions too. Is it safe to operate on someone with a high BMI? Does getting older mean more complications?
A study from Baylor Scott & White Medical Center in Texas provides some clear answers.
The Study: 277 Women Analyzed
The researchers reviewed 277 breast reduction surgeries performed over a four-year period. They specifically looked at how age, weight, and the amount of tissue removed impacted the recovery process.
Here is what they found.
The Weight Factor: Slow Healing, Not Disaster
Patients often fear that a high BMI guarantees a surgical disaster. The data suggests otherwise.
- The Good News: BMI was not associated with higher rates of major complications (like dangerous infections or blood clots).
- The Reality: However, weight does matter for speed. The study found that women with a higher BMI were significantly more likely to require more than 2 months to heal.
Basically, heavier patients are safe, but they need more patience. The wounds may take longer to close completely.
The Age Factor: Minor Annoyances
Does age make surgery risky? Not exactly, but it does change the skin’s ability to bounce back.
The study found that greater age was linked to a higher rate of minor complications. These are usually superficial wound healing issues, like small scabs or separations along the incision line. They are annoying, but rarely dangerous.
Minor vs. Major Complications
It is important to understand what “complication” means in this context.
- Minor Complications: These were common (49.1% of patients) and mostly involved superficial wounds. These heal with dressing changes and time.
- Major Complications: These were rare (only 4.31%). No specific factor (age or weight) seemed to increase this risk.
The Bottom Line
This study offers reassurance. While having a higher BMI means you might need longer to heal, it does not necessarily rule you out for surgery.
As the authors conclude, the benefits of breast reduction—relief from back pain and improved quality of life—often outweigh the risks, even for selected patients with higher BMI.
Reference
[1] Payton, Jesse I. MD; et al. “Impact of Age, Body Mass Index, and Resection Weight on Postoperative Complications in Reduction Mammaplasty.” Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery 151(4):p 727-735, April 2023.