Tuscon plastic surgeon discusses breast enhancement options after pregnancy.
If you are finished having children and breastfeeding, you may be lamenting the loss of your once-shapely breasts. That’s one of the most common motivations I hear from patients seeking breast lift and breast augmentation procedures at my Tucson practice.
Few women emerge after pregnancy without some changes to their breasts. Breasts are extremely sensitive to the hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy. Shifts in size and skin elasticity are the most common changes, with many women losing volume and starting to experience sagginess. Asymmetry can also become pronounced, and cosmetic changes to the nipples and areolas are common after breastfeeding.
If you’ve experienced any of these issues after having children, cosmetic breast surgery can help. There are 3 options that are appropriate for most patients:
1. Breast Lift: Also called mastopexy, a breast lift is a good choice if you are satisfied with the size of your breasts but want a perkier look. Breasts gain significant volume during pregnancy as the body prepares for breastfeeding. The stretched skin often becomes saggy after a mother finishes breastfeeding. A breast lift elevates the nipples to an aesthetically pleasing position and reshapes the tissue.
2. Breast Augmentation: Getting breast implants after pregnancy restores the volume that is often lost after having children. If your breast skin retains enough elasticity, breast augmentation alone can be an appropriate choice. Even though breast implants may initially cause breasts to look “lifted,” if you have even mild sagging, you may not be a good candidate for breast augmentation without a breast lift, because implants will eventually “settle” and may sag too low.
3. Breast Lift + Breast Augmentation:In many cases, combining breast implants with a breast lift is the ideal solution for women with sagging breasts that have lost volume. The technique used depends on the degree of sagging and the size and type of implants chosen. If you have both sagging and size concerns, this is the choice for you.
Sometimes the breasts will remain enlarged after pregnancy, which some — but not all — women appreciate. Overly large breasts can cause both cosmetic and physical concerns, such as neck and shoulder pain. In those cases, breast reduction surgery is an option.
Tuscon plastic surgeon discusses your breast enhancement options post pregnancy.
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