Tips for Drooping Breasts after Weight Loss
January 25, 2023
Written By Joe Gryskiewicz, MD, FACS
Losing weight is ideal for maintaining good health. But unfortunately, weight loss can cause a loss in breast tissue, leading to loss of volume and sagging breasts. Although you cannot treat sagging breasts at home, you can take measures that can reduce the rate of sagging.
A permanent and more long-lasting solution to drooping breasts is to undergo a surgical procedure.
Choosing the right breast surgery for you involves seeing an experienced plastic surgeon in Minnesota like Dr Joe Gryskiewicz to discuss your goals and expectations. They will give you realistic advice on the most suitable breast implant.
Let’s find out what causes saggy breasts and tips for droopy breasts after weight loss.
About Drooping Breasts
Drooping breasts or breast ptosis is a common condition where the breast sits lower on the chest or the nipple points downwards. Due to age, the body changes and experiences breast ptosis. The severity of sagging breasts is measured based on the position of the nipple in relation to the breast fold.
Besides age, gravity is another significant cause of breast ptosis. Although gravity pulls breasts of all sizes downward, larger breasts are more likely to develop ptosis than smaller breasts. Other causes of drooping breasts include hormonal changes, weight fluctuations, and pregnancy.
How Does Weight Loss Cause Drooping Breasts?
The skin has collagen and elastin, providing elasticity, firmness, and strength. These properties help your skin look tight and firm. However, when you gain weight, the increase in fat expands and stretches the skin. Unfortunately, suppose you have been overweight or obese for an extended period. In that case, your skin may have damaged elastin and collagen fibers. Consequently, it may be difficult for your skin to retract when you lose weight.
Furthermore, you lose volume in your breasts during weight loss but you do not lose skin. Therefore, your skin becomes loose and hangs from your body, resulting in drooping breasts.
How Can You Fix Drooping Breasts
Unfortunately, no natural or home remedy besides weight gain can add volume to your breast tissues. Instead, you should consider breast surgery. Surgical breast treatment improves your breasts’ appearance while boosting your self-confidence.
Tips For Reducing Drooping Breasts and Sagging
The tips discussed in this section do not add volume to your breast tissues. Instead, they limit the rate of sagging. You can reduce sagging breasts by:
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Avoid Bad Habits
Consuming alcohol or tobacco products breaks down collagen in the skin and causes premature aging. Consequently, your skin may lose its elasticity and firmness. Limiting smoking and alcohol consumption can help in promoting healthier breast tissue.
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Provide Sufficient Breast Support
Although wearing bras has not been proven to prevent drooping breasts, they are beneficial, especially when working out. During a workout, your breasts undergo intense motions, resulting in sagginess. So, even if you don’t wear a bra often, consider using one during exercise.
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Exercise to Develop Chest Muscles
The breast tissue consists of fat and not muscles; therefore, you cannot make them firm by exercising. On the other hand, the chest consists of muscles supporting the breasts. Therefore, working out your chest, shoulder, and upper arm muscles can make your breasts look perkier and firmer.
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Sleep On Your Back
Sleeping on your back provides full support for your breasts. On the other hand, if you sleep on your side, one of your breasts will droop, stretching the ligaments and leading to sagging.
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Eat Antioxidant-Rich Foods
Antioxidant-rich foods like fruits and vegetables boost skin health. Free radicals damage body cells, resulting in aging. These radicals develop as the body breaks down food. Antioxidants target and neutralize free radicals before they can cause damage.
Breast Surgery for Drooping Breasts
There are a range of surgeries that can help improve your breasts:
1. Breast Lift (Mastopexy)
A breast lift procedure known as mastopexy, requires Dr. Joe Gryskiewicz to lift the breasts to a more youthful position. This procedure also involves the removal of excess skin and tightening the breast envelope to achieve natural results. In addition, a breast lift can improve your breast shape, projection, and symmetry.
It is important to note that you may not qualify for a breast lift if you have overly large breasts. This is because gravity’s effects may reverse the surgery’s positive effects. However, women with moderate-sized breasts and who have finished having children are good candidates for a breast lift.
2. Breast Augmentation with Implants
A breast implant procedure requires placing saline or silicone implants inside the breasts to improve their appearance. Implants are prosthetic devices; therefore, they may not be suitable for everyone. Consider discussing this with Dr. Joe before undergoing the procedure.
In terms of shape, round implants improve your breasts’ shape. Round implants give your breast an even, rounded look.
Fortunately, with breast implants, you can choose a size that most suits you. Breast implant sizes are measured in ccs, and Dr. Joe may advise trying out implant sizers to see how the implant will look on you.
Furthermore, both saline and silicone implants are safe. However, of both implants, silicone implants are more natural to touch. You have to discuss with the surgeon to know what works for you. It is important to note that you are at least 18 years old to qualify for saline implants and 22 years to qualify for silicone implants.
3. Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation
Fat grafting procedures achieve the most natural results because they involve the transfer of fat from one part of your body to another. The procedure does not include the use of foreign objects in your body.
A fat transfer breast augmentation corrects asymmetry while providing a moderate breast volume enlargement. Fat transfer will not correct sagging or ptotic breasts.
The ideal candidate for a fat grafting breast augmentation are women seeking only modest enhancements to their breasts and looking for alternatives to breast implants. So, if you want to increase your breast volume just a little bit, it is best to discuss this with Dr. Joe to be sure you qualify for the procedure. Again, the volume increase is minimal.
What Is the Most Natural-Looking Breast Augmentation?
Breast lifts and fat transfer breast augmentation are the most natural since they don’t involve prosthetic implants. Breast implants, on the other hand, look natural when you choose a size and type that suits your anatomy.
What Should You Consider Before Breast Augmentation?
As discussed, breast lift, breast implants, and fat transfer are three surgical options for improving drooping breasts. These two procedures achieve different results. For instance, breast lifts do not add volume to your breasts; instead, they involve the removal of excess skin and raising the breast’s position. On the other hand, fat grafting can add volume to the breasts but not as much as breast implants.
Before choosing a suitable procedure, discussing your expectations with your surgeon is best. Furthermore, other factors you should consider before choosing a breast procedure include your age, occupation, lifestyle, and body anatomy.
Do I Need a Breast Lift or Implants?
If you have droopy breasts from weight loss, you may consider getting a breast lift, implants, or both. Everyone has different needs, so each patient requires a solution that suits them.
Dr. Joe will consider the severity of drooping, your desired outcome, and the amount of excess skin before recommending a suitable procedure. Other factors considered include your current breast shape and size and the degree of skin laxity.
You may need just breast implants to achieve a firm and tight look without getting a breast lift. If you have significant drooping or skin elasticity, you may need a breast lift in addition to implants. Generally, if you are looking to increase your breast size and raise your breasts, both procedures may be best for you.
What Are the Risks of Breast Augmentation?
All surgical procedures have associated risks. What makes a difference is the surgeon’s experience. An experienced plastic surgeon carries out procedures with minimal risks. For instance, Dr. Joe is an expert in breast augmentation, and improving your appearance. Your risks will be discussed during the consultation. Dr. Joe has seen just about every type of situation in his nearly forty years in practice.
Recovery After a Breast Augmentation
Because each breast augmentation procedure is different, recovery also varies.
Breast lift: after a breast lift procedure, you may need between one to three weeks to recover. Although you may be able to return to your job after a week, it is essential to avoid strenuous activities for three weeks.
Breast implant surgery: after getting implants, it is best to limit your activity for the first few days to prevent bleeding. Furthermore, although you may experience discomfort and soreness, they should wear off gradually.
Fat grafting: recovery after a fat transfer breast augmentation is usually within two weeks. You may experience bruising and swelling of your breasts between one and three weeks before they fully heal. Dr. Joe may recommend a compression garment to help with the swelling. Furthermore, avoid strenuous activities when your breasts are still swollen.
How To Speed Recovery After a Breast Augmentation Procedure
After the procedure, it is best to follow the surgeon’s instructions for fast recovery. Furthermore, sleeping on your back, drinking plenty of water, and keeping your breasts above water are best. Submerging your breasts may lead to infection. In addition, avoid smoking and alcohol, as they can delay wound healing and cause dehydration. We use Quick Recovery® breast augmentation. You can read Dr. Joe’s published article on this by visiting the website.
FAQs about Drooping Breasts after Weight Loss
Can sagging breasts become firm?
Drooping breasts really need plastic surgery to reduce excess skin. Exercise and home remedies cannot correct the effects of skin sagging or restore lost volume. A breast lift is necessary to tighten and elevate the skin around the breasts for a more youthful look.
Can I breastfeed after a breast augmentation?
Yes. You should be able to breastfeed after healing from a breast augmentation, including breast lift, fat transfer, or implants. However, it is essential to discuss breastfeeding with your surgeon before surgery.
Will I have scars after breast augmentation?
Yes. You will have visible scars immediately after the breast augmentation procedure. Nevertheless, the scars should fade within 12 months. You can reduce the appearance of these scars by following your surgeon’s post-operative instructions and using pressure bandages or silicone sheeting. You can also apply vitamin E or cortisone cream to soften the scars and reduce scar tissue.
When can I start exercising after a breast enlargement?
You must wait three weeks before exercising. Working out, especially high-impact exercises, too soon after a breast augmentation can lead to swelling, bruising, or bleeding. It is best to ask your surgeon for the right time to resume exercising.
When do breasts start sagging?
There is no specific age for breast sagging. However, drooping may occur in the twenties, thirties, or later in life. Factors contributing to sagging breasts include smoking, multiple pregnancies, breast size, aging, and significant weight changes. Your genetics play a big part.
Can your breasts sag because you don’t wear a bra?
Not wearing bras does not significantly affect your risk of breast sagging. Nevertheless, bras are essential when performing exercises that involve breast motion. Motion can stretch the breast ligaments and damage the tissues, causing sagging. Therefore, a sports bra can support and prevent stretching during high-impact exercises.
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Medical References about Droopy Breasts and Breast Surgery
