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Breast Augmentation Redo Due to Weight Gain, Breast Feeding

asked 3 years ago by Grace Ely
Latest answer by Robert E. Zaworski, MD
Question viewed 3,624 times
Tags: breast feeding, sagging, replacement, weight gain

I had a breast augmentation 4 years ago after the birth of my second child. Thanks to weight gain, breast feeding and weight loss. I went from a B cup to a D cup. However, because of the weight of the implants and aging, the breasts are no longer high and create a clevage; they hang to my waist and look sad:) I am thinking about getting to a size C cup and making them perkier. They feel to heavy, and the bra straps dig into my shoulders despite fitting every three months. Any words of advice?

26 answers to Breast Augmentation Redo Due to Weight Gain, Breast Feeding

+4

Mommy Lift

Based on your description, a breast lift and a change to a smaller breast implant may be in order. I would advise a consultation with a board certfied plastic surgeon to determine what procedure or combination of procedures is most appropriate for you based on your lifestyle, lifestage, and medical conditions.
Kris M. Reddy, MD, FACS

West Palm Beach Plastic Surgeon
+2

Breast implant removal is sometimes a good choice if breasts become excessively large over time

The symptoms you describe mandate that something be done to reduce the weight of your breasts. This could be either complete removal of the implants or exchange with a smaller size. The choice selected would depend on your personal preference of cup size or volume. A separate issue is whether you should have a breast lift or mastopexy in addition to the above procedure. Once again this depends on your personal esthetic goal. I suspect however that from your description and comment about the... more
Wayne I. Yamahata, MD

Sacramento Plastic Surgeon

www.anuyu.com

+1

Weight Gain , Breast Feeding after Breast Augmentation

You sound like a candidate for removal of breast implants ( or replacement with smaller implants), and a breast lift procedure. Consult with a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon. You can obtain a list from the Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery website (ASPS) of surgeons in your area.
Robert E. Zaworski, MD

Atlanta Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast augmentation and weight gain or loss

Some of the symptoms your are describing are common in women who have large breasts and desire breast reduction. That said, one option is to downsize your implants or remove them and/ or get an auto-augmentation with your remaining tissue. In this procedure, we use your own tissue and lift it into a desirable position then shape the breast. You should visit with a board certified plastic surgeon to have an exam and options explained to you about your specific circumstance.... more
Raj S. Ambay, MD

Tampa Plastic Surgeon
+1

Changes in BA after weight gain

Your situation is very common. Goals and bodies change after pregnancy and weight changes. It sound like you would be most happy with at least a lift, if not also down-sizing. For a better opinion make a consultation with a good Plastic surgeon. If you were happy with your first surgery and surgeon - go back.
Ronald Schuster, MD

Baltimore Plastic Surgeon
+1

Changes

AT this point, it sounds as if you have developed larger native breast tissues than you had originally. In many instances such as these, we simply remove the implants and perform a lift.
Otto Joseph Placik, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

Need smaller breast implants and breast lift.

Hi. 1) From your description, you need a minimal scar (either circular around the nipples, or more likely a loliipop) breast lift, together with a revision breast augmentation using smaller implants. 2) I recommend using disposable, sterile breast implant SIZERS during surgery to be sure of best size. A sizer costs only $45, and takes out the guess work.
George J. Beraka, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breasts sagging after augmentation

I see this all the time. I think you will be much happier with smaller implants and a lift. Keep in mind that your skin will continue to age and the lift is not going to last forever. However, it is usually still worth it. In my experience, most patients want significantly smaller implants, at least 100-150cc smaller, when they feel their breasts are too heavy. Consider either silicone gel or silcone style 410 implants. Saline implants are much heavier and stretch the skin more. Hope... more
Tracy Pfeifer, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

drpfeifer.com

+1

Breast Lift with or without implant exchange will help

This is a normal and a common complaint. A breast lift with or without exchange of your implant with a smaller implant is every thing you will require. Another option is to just remove the implant and get a lift.
Hisham Seify, MD, PhD

Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
+1

A breast lift with a smaller implant should rejuvenate your look

Your problem is a common one, and not enough plastic surgeons discuss with their patients the fact that as your breasts change with childbirth, weight changes, and breast feeding, you are likely to need some further operations to renew you breast form. In your case, it sounds as if your implants have fallen with your breasts, and may have been placed in a retroglandular position, rather than behind the muscle. Again, it is not uncommon for the breast implants to drop with stretching of... more
Adam David Lowenstein, MD

Santa Barbara Plastic Surgeon
+1

Saggy Augmented Breast Surgery

Were you NOT to have any implants, odds are with time and aging your breasts would have sagged as well. Adding implants to the breasts obviously accelerated the stretching and sagging process. In YOUR words "because of the weight of the implants and aging, the breasts are no longer high and create a cleavage; they hang to my waist and look sad:) " Exchanging your present implant switch smaller ones WOULD require a breast lift (Mastopexy) (and the scar that go along with it). I... more
Peter A. Aldea, MD

Memphis Plastic Surgeon
+1

Surgery for Sagging Augmented Breasts

As I tell all my patients, children are wonderful but they do wreck havoc on a woman's body. Here's my best guess without a picture. Right now you probably have a double bubble appearance meaning the implants are still sitting up on the chest wall and the breasts have sagged below them. Depending on how much breast tissue you have will determine if you need/want a lift and an augmentation. Often in these cases I use a small, low profile implant to fill the upper pole that diminishes... more
Christopher L. Hess, MD

Fairfax Plastic Surgeon

www.hessplasticsurgery.com

+1

Drooping breasts

You have mentioned many factors that could lead to the changes in your breast shape and size. Complete evaluation of your present amount of breast tissue and fat, the amount of droop. Then a plan to achieve the results you desire. you may need the implant to be removed and a breast lift with or without an implant. Such a procedure need significant expertise because of the blood supply to your nipple areola complex. The surgeon need to be familir with all the techniques of breast lifts to... more
Samir Shureih, MD

Baltimore Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast changes after pregnancy and breastfeeding

Babies take a toll on breasts. I have an entire blog dedicated to this subject. Many women get augmentations when young, only to find after babies the breasts don't look so good anymore. In your case, you are: 1. Too large 2. Droopy This is very common. To fix number one, you need to remove or downsize your implant. When doing this, you will get droopier than you currently are. To fix the droopiness, you will need to do a lift. The bonus of having to do a lift, is you can truly pick... more
Lauren Greenberg, MD

Palo Alto Plastic Surgeon
+1

Pregnancy can change a perfectly beautiful body

Pregnancy can stretch out the Cooper's ligaments and breast tissue that create the shape of the breast. The sagging skin is only a by-product of the above changes. Therefore, any surgery to correct this problem should focus on reshaping the breast tissue. For instance, LeJour or Goes Breast Lift. Implants only hasten the pressure on the structures described above.
Robert M. Freund, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon
+1

Sagging of the breasts after Breast Augmentation

Breast implants may exacerbate aging of the breasts when combined with pregnancy, weight gain, and loss of skin elasticity. In this case, it seems that the droopiness of the breasts can be improved with a breast lift procedure that will reposition the nipple and areola and remove excess skin.
Raffy Karamanoukian, MD

Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast changes after pregnancy

Breast tissue, the supportive ligaments and even the skin are subjected to serious stress during pregnancy as well as weight gain and loss. Loss of elasticity of the tissue, ligaments and skin leads to southward migration and a less than youthful appearance. Breast surgeon hear, see and treat this often. Sounds to me like you will need at least a breast lift or mastopexy. I prefer a vertical or lollipop fashioned scar to preform the lift....I think it provides great projection and contour to... more
John Philip Connors III, MD

Atlanta Plastic Surgeon
+1

Revison breast surgery often much more difficult than the first augmentation

Unfortunately, it sounds like you are in the same situation as many women face with changes which occur with life. My most important recommendation for you in this setting is to go on several consults, be specific about what you want to achieve and choose the surgeon who you trust based on experience (pictures, consult, etc.) to help you achieve the result you desire. Far too often, the patient leaves the decision making up to the surgeon and then they end up with a result that is not at... more
W. Tracy Hankins, MD

Las Vegas Plastic Surgeon
+1

Remove and replace with a lift

From the sound of things, I would suggest removing and replacing your current implants with smaller implants and also getting a lift (mastopexy) as well. This will help minimize the pain and discomfort from your heavy, saggy breasts. As a result of the pregnancies and the large current implants, your body has changed overtime.
Tom J. Pousti, MD

San Diego Plastic Surgeon

www.poustiplasticsurgery.com

+1

Breast changes after pregnancy

Breasts certainly do change after pregnancy, so just know that you're not alone. Depending on how much your actual breast tissue has enlarged, you may not need your implants at all. Or you may get by with smaller implants. Either way, it sounds like you'll need a lift. I'm guessing you might do well with a short-scar option for your lift (a "lollipop" scar, for instance).
Carmen Kavali, MD

Atlanta Plastic Surgeon
+1

Downsize your implants and lift the breast tissue

I have not even seen your photos, and I can tell that you will need: 1) removal of your current implants; 2) replacement with smaller implants; and 3) Breast lifting, most likely a full lift, but depends on your degree of sagging.
Kevin Brenner, MD

Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
+1

You will need an exam by your Plastic Surgeon to decide on your options

The change in shape of your breasts is likely due to a combination of large implants and the weight gain and loss sustained in your breasts due to pregnancy. I agree that you will definitely need some type of breast lifting procedure to tighten the stretched breast skin. You may need to change out your implants, however, it may be possible to keep them in place, as your breasts may appear reduced in size from the lifting procedure alone. A consultation and examination from your plastic... more
David Rankin, MD

Jupiter Plastic Surgeon

www.aquaplasticsurgery.com

+1

Breast implant exchange

You describe the symptoms of someone who needs a breast reduction. Therefore, going with a smaller implant makes sense. However, the more important part of this surgery for you will be the breast lift portion. that will give an improved shape, more youthful appearance and be longer lasting than just simply going with a smaller implant. Depending on how large your own breast has gotten, you may want to discuss not replacing your implant and simply getting a breast lift. You should consider... more
Bahram Ghaderi, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast augmentation redo

Going to a smaller size because you feel your old implants are too heavy is not a bad way to go.  But, you may need to have a breast lift as well to compensate for the skin laxity that you may have with downsizing and the "droop."
Steven Wallach, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

Sounds like you are on the right track.

Hello, It sounds like you are heading for an implant exchange for smaller implants and a breast lift of some sort. The operations can be done together in most cases without much risk. I would plan the operation when your weight is at the point where you feel you can maintain it there. Weight gain and loss after surgery changes the way things look and increases the possible desire for more surgery later.
John P. Di Saia, MD

Orange Plastic Surgeon
+1

You answered your own question

The fact that you want to go smaller is good since larger implants will always cause more problems in the long run than smaller implants. Smaller implants, relative to your natural breast tissue, will always give you a better chance for a more natural breast compared to larger implants. In addition, the fact that you feel your breasts are sagging to your waist indicate that you will need some sort of a breast lift or mastopexy. You have effectively made your own diagnosis and recommended... more
Robin T.W. Yuan, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

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