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After Breast Reduction Surgery Will my Breasts Fall Down?

asked 3 years ago by OOPRIYAA in UAE
Latest answer by Alan Engler, MD
Question viewed 6,183 times
Tags: droopy

I had breast reduction surgery last year,my husband always say that my breast are falling down to me it's seem the same as i had done opperation is it true the breast can come down for a period of time ?

33 answers to After Breast Reduction Surgery Will my Breasts Fall Down?

+2

Breasts after reduction still subject to gravity and should be supported.

After breast reduction the remaining breast tissue has weight and as such can be pulled inferiorward by gravity over time.  This is why support with a bra is important after reduction surgery.
Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD

Atlanta Plastic Surgeon
+2

Breasts settling after a breast reduction

Absolutely, the breast shape changes after a breast reduction. You likely looked very full and perky right after your surgery.  But your skin is your skin, and we can't change skin QUALITY with any surgery, only skin QUANTITY.  So you should expect your breasts to settle over time, making them less full on top and more full on bottom.  It might be useful for you to review your "before" photos--I'll bet you still have a dramatic improvement, even though... more
Carmen Kavali, MD

Atlanta Plastic Surgeon
+2

Some laxity is expected after breast reduction

Breast reduction surgery is a major breast lift at the same time. The length of time that the breast will maintain in the elevated position is dependant on the quality of your skin and the weight of the tissue. All skin will continue to age and allow some stretching and laxity, this will let the breasts soften and sag a little bit. Most of the skin stretch will happen in the first year and then will continue very slowly over time as you age.
Marcus L. Peterson, MD

Saint George Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast Reduction - After Breast Reduction Surgery Will my Breasts Fall Down?

Well, there is nothing about this surgery that reverses or prevents the effects of gravity - gravity always wins. But the other question is how much breast tissue was removed - if relatively little was removed then it follows that they will start to drop sooner than if more tissue were removed. It takes about 6-12 months for breasts to settle, and up to two years to see the final results. I hope that this helps and good luck, Dr. E
Alan Engler, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon
+1

Changes after Breast Reduction?

Congratulations on having had the breast reduction procedure; it tends to be one of the most patient pleasing operations we perform. Breast do tend to “drop and settle” after breast reduction surgery. It may take one year before you see the results of the surgery. If you have continued concerns your plastic surgeon will be in the best position to help answer questions and concerns ( after direct examination). Best wishes.
Tom J. Pousti, MD

San Diego Plastic Surgeon
+1

What you described sounds like a condition called bottoming out. This is possible to correct

What you described sounds like a condition called bottoming out. This can occur after some breast reduction techniques whether the majority of the tissue is kept at the bottom or the lower part of the breast. With gravity changes this tissue moves downwards giving a longer appearance to the lower part of the breast. This is possible to correct but normally end with further surgery in reducing and elevating this lower tissue. It maybe worth if you are concerned about it I... more
Adrian Richards, MD

London Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breasts that fall after breast reduction

The most common cause for  "falling breasts" following a reduction mammoplasty is that they were not made small enough.  Most woman with very large breast want a little taken off but not a lot.  The majority still desire to be a "D" cup and not a "C".  This causes the skin to stretch below the nipple or "bottom out" with time.  The  nipple/areolar complex remains in place but the skin below stretches.  This may be... more
Gary H. Manchester, MD

San Diego Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast reduction surgery turns the clock back, but does not stop it!

Breast reduction surgery lifts and reduces the size of the breast. Immediately after surgery there will be some settling of the breasts as the swelling goes away. Then the breasts will start to sag slowly over time. Those things that can influence sagging include pregnancy, weight gains or losses, going braless and lots of exercise without good support.
Robert M. Freund, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon
+1

Sagging after Breast Reduction

It is normal for gradual "settling" of the breasts after breast surgery, where gravity exerts some force on the breasts in a downward direction. There is no such thing as permanent superior fullness. The breasts will never be how they were before. The amount of recurrent sagging can be related to many factors including the residual size of your breasts, your skin tone, age, pregnancy, and whether or not you wear a bra regularly.
Hayley Brown MD

Henderson Plastic Surgeon
+1

Changes after breast reduction

The appearance of the breasts may change somewhat after breast reduction, certainly once the swelling from the immediate post operative period resolves. In addition, gravity continues to affect the breasts and the results will be different after several years.
Olivia Hutchinson, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon
+1

Settling of the breasts after reduction

Oopriyaa, gravity is inexorable and all breasts will settle lower on the chest wall, even after surgical procedures which are intended to reduce the volume and tighten the skin envelope.  Despite the use of internal suturing, breast tissue sculpting techniques, the forces of age, weight gain/loss, pregnancy, heredity and menopause can faciltate the descent.  The patients who have a greater percentage of glandular tissue compared to fatty tissue, typically state that their shape... more
Lavinia Chong, MD

Orange County Plastic Surgeon

www.chongmd.com

+1

How long will breast reduction results last

After a breast reduction, breasts are still subject to the changes of aging and gravity.  However, with smaller and lighter breasts, you will not experience the same changes (sagging) that you would have experienced before the breast reduction surgery.  Basically, your improved shape can last fifteen years or longer provided you continue to use a bra and maintain a stable body weight.  There is always the possibility that you may need a revision or a breast lift... more
William Bruno, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast ptosis after breast reduction

Breast reduction is not a permanent cure for droopiness of the breasts. If you have a breast reduction at the age of 20, that does not mean you will have a 20 year old breast for the rest of your life.  As with anything else on the body, your breasts will be subject to the aging process. 
Raffy Karamanoukian, MD

Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
+1

How long with my breast lift stay lifted?

Ah. This is a common question. Breasts will age again with time. There are lift techniques which use internal suturing (which I use) to help preserve the lift.  Bottom line though is that time, gravity, and activity will cause your breasts to continue to age. Some things you can't change- the amount of fat versus breast tissue (the fat doesn't hold the internal sutures as well), your genetic skin tone, etc. Some things you can change- support your breasts... more
Lauren Greenberg, MD

Palo Alto Plastic Surgeon
+1

Enjoy longer lasting results with internal breast suturing.

  In the past, breast lifts and breast reduction were primarily concerned with the resection of excess tissue and tightly closing the skin over the breast. However, the skin would invariably stretch out and the breast sag and lose much of its shape. Today's breast reduction and breast lift are very different. In our practice, we lift the skin of the breast off the underlying breast tissue. We then perform all the deep tissue work. We use suture techniques to create a pleasing... more
B. Pat Pazmino, MD

Miami Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast sagging can occur after breast reduction

There are a variety of breast reduction techniques available. All of them reduce the weight and size of breast skin envelope. Depending on the technique used, there can be issues with sagging of the breast in the months and years post-operatively. The 'inferior pedicle' breast reduction technique often has this issue, and this is because of the substantial amount of breast tissue that remains in the inferior pole of the breast. Its a great technique for the right patient, but there are... more
Scott Sattler, MD

Bellevue Plastic Surgeon
+1

Recurrent breast ptosis

Thanks for your question - Recurrence of breast sag or ptosis can happen after breast reduction. Things that increase the chances of this happening include breast feeding, weight gain and loss and poor tissue quality as well as time. Usually people get the benefit of a lift after a breast reduction that lasts more than a year but there are many factors. Seek advice from your surgeon to discuss your concerns. I hope this helps.
Steven H. Williams, MD

San Francisco Plastic Surgeon
+1

Depending on the technique used, your breasts will bottom out at different rates.

Breast reduction can improve the size, shape, and overall appearance of your breasts in addition to alleviating the many annoying and even debilitating symptoms of overly large breasts. Over time ALL breast reductions will "bottom out" or sag. Bottoming out usually occurs more quickly when reduction techniques which use the skin envelope to shape and hold the reduced breast tissue are performed. "Parenchymal" techniques which use the breast tissue itself to shape the... more
James C. Grotting, MD

Birmingham Plastic Surgeon
+1

It's called "bottoming out"

Following a classic breast reduction surgery, the breast tissue can be pulled down by gravity stretching out the skin. This phenomenon is known as bottoming out and can be happening to you. See your plastic surgeon for an examination and he/she can tell you if this is the case.
Kenneth R. Francis, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast lift is the bonus of breast reduction surgery

A very large overdeveloped breast will almost always have a degree of droop to the breast which surgeons call ptosis. The amount of droop is evaluated by measuring the position of the nipple in relation to the fold or crease under the breast, something like a finger test where you place your finger in the fold and measure the distance above or below this point. The nipple of course is the center proper, not the edge of the areola or colored portion of the skin. The best position is near an... more
Peter E. Johnson, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

Depends on the skin laxity

Most peoples breast will "settle" after surgery. The amount of sagging after surgery is mainly a function of your skin elasticity. The worse the skin quality the more the sag.  Breasts with very good skin elasticity will sag very little after surgery. 
Robert M. Jensen, MD

Medford Plastic Surgeon
+1

It depends how the operation is done

To OOPRUYAA, Hi! The right way to do a breast reduction is to shape the breast tissue from the inside with deep stitches. If the new shape is created just by pulling on the skin, then the breasts will sag after a breast reduction because skin stretches.
George J. Beraka, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

Some breast ptosis

The breast will sag a little after a reduction due to the effect of gravity and the skin stretch.The only way for you to determine that is to look at the pre and post operative pictures taken over time. 
Hisham Seify, MD, PhD

Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast area usually lifted after reduction

After a breast reduction, the breast volume is reduced and the breast area is usually lifted. However, over time the breast will sag again as it would for any aging.
Steven Wallach, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

It is not common for your breasts to fall down after breast reduction surgery.

Breast reduction or another term called reduction mammaplasty removes excess breast fat, glandular tissue and skin to achieve breast size in proportion with your body and to alleviate discomfort which is associated with large breasts. It usually leaves the appearance of smaller, lighter and firmer breasts. Breasts sagging or appear to fall down can be the usual result of normal aging, pregnancy or weight loss.
Gregory Turowski, MD, PhD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

Your breasts should not fall significantly 1 year after surgery.

Oopriyaa, Your breasts should not fall significantly one year after breast lift / breast reduction. Initially after surgery you may have considerable swelling which may takes several weeks to months to completely resolve. As the swelling resolves, the tissues settle which may take away from some of the projection of the breasts, but this usually leads to a more natural appearing breast. Additionally, having surgery does not stop the aging process. So, your skin will continue to age just... more
David Shafer, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breasts can sag after surgery, it is expected

Think of breast reduction surgery as having two components: one is a reduction of the volume of the breast and the second is lifting the position of the nipple areola complex. Immediately after breast reduction, the breasts are very "lifted". However, in time, the skin relaxes, gravity continues to pull down on the breast and natural aging, which includes a loss of elasticity, continues. In short, many patients feel their breasts are sagging somewhat after reduction surgery;... more
Tracy Pfeifer, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

drpfeifer.com

+1

Clarification

The breast reduction removes the excess weight of the breast gland, the stretched skin, and raises the nipple/areola. This recreates a smaller more youthful breast. However good a job the surgeon does, remember that time and gravity are always at work, and the new breast is not like the original. Given this, there are two things that you may experience. The first is a relaxation of the repair, in which you will see the breasts round out at the bottom, and look better & better. At... more
Scott E. Kasden, MD

Dallas Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breasts will sag over time

When performing a breast reduction, it is common to also perform a concommitant breast lift (mastopexy). Typically, we overcorrect, knowing that the breasts will fall over time. Eventually they will settle at a stable point. In the average woman, this occurs about 6-9 months after surgery. Once you have reached this point, your breasts should remain relatively stable unless you gain weight, become pregnant, go on hormonal therapy, etc.
Otto Joseph Placik, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast sagging after a reduction

A breast reduction involves a breast lift as well. Therefore, you will not have the same sagging as prior to surgery. However, over time, your skin will stretch and the swelling will go away which will make it appear as though the breasts have "fallen". If you review your before and after photos with your surgeon, you will see this progression if you look at the photos 6 weeks post-op and 6 months post-op. Generally, not much changes after 6 months. Over the long term, however,... more
Bahram Ghaderi, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breasts will settle after breast reduction surgery

Hello, It generally takes about three to six months after surgery for the settling to stabilize. The breasts still tend to look "lifted and reduced" relative to before surgery, but things can of course change with weight gain or loss and differences in surgical technique. All plastic surgeons are not all the same.
John P. Di Saia, MD

Orange Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast tissue and skin relax over time after breast reduction

After a breast reduction, the breasts are typically perky and full in the upper pole. After some time the tissues relaxe and the upper pole is less prominent. The nipples should maintain their position. For a mastopexy (breast lift) I recommend a small implant to maintain breast shape long term. This would not be appropriate in a breast reduction.
Talmage J. Raine, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

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