Bilateral Reduction Mammaplasty Facilitates Subsequent Weight Loss in Obese Patients (BMI ≥30)

Abstract

Background: One of the most commonly discussed benefits of macromastia treatment surgery, bilateral reduction mammaplasty, is the potential for subsequent weight loss. There is limited research examining weight change after reduction mammaplasty and a definitive relationship remains to be established. Our study aims to investigate this relationship and to identify potential preoperative and operative factors associated with postoperative changes in weight.

Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed of all patients who underwent bilateral reduction mammaplasty for symptomatic macromastia at a single academic institution (Stony Brook University Hospital) between January 1, 2000, and January 1, 2016. Patients had 12 months or longer of follow-up to track resultant postoperative weight.

Results: Two hundred and fifty-six patients met our eligibility criteria. The patients were stratified into 2 groups based on preoperative body mass index (BMI). Group 1 consisted of 112 patients (44%) with a BMI less than 30 (ie, nonobese); group 2 consisted of 145 patients (56%) with a BMI of 30 or higher (ie, obese). The mean total weight of bilateral breast tissue resected for each group was 982 and 1719 g for groups 1 and 2, respectively. For both groups, the mean patient age was 38 years, and the mean follow-up period was approximately 5 years. Patients in group 1 (the nonobese group) had a mean preoperative BMI of 26.25 and postoperative BMI of 26.78 (P = 0.108). Postoperatively, these patients demonstrated an overall mean BMI increase of 0.90. Patients in group 2 (the obese group) had a mean preoperative BMI of 34.99 and postoperative BMI of 34.13 (P = 0.045). Postoperatively, they demonstrated an overall mean BMI decrease of 0.20. The difference in change of BMI between the 2 groups was determined to be significant (P = 0.047). There is a significantly larger mean decrease in BMI in the obese group, 3.86 than the nonobese group, 2.01 (P = 0.006).

Conclusions: We found that weight changes after undergoing bilateral reduction mammaplasty are significantly different between obese and nonobese patients. Obese patients (BMI, ≥30) experience greater weight loss than nonobese patients. As the desire for postoperative weight loss and increased physical activity are common reasons to undergo reduction mammaplasty, this study adds valuable data to the discussion.