Needing a Second Breast Lift

asked 1 year ago by CT43 in CT
Latest answer by Tom J. Pousti, MD
Question viewed 356 times
Tags: 8 months post-op, after weight loss, loose skin, revision, stretched

I lost 70 lbs (had enormous breasts, am now a small D)and then had a breast lift 8 months ago. I have been leaning out even more since then and my breasts are sagging and loose again. I haven't lost another significant amount of weight, just been getting really muscular and lean. My skin on top of my breasts is stretched and lacking elasticity. I want firmer breasts. Once my body is done changing and remains stable, would another lift help? This time with an internal lift?

10 answers to Needing a Second Breast Lift

Breast Lifts and Recurrent Sagging

Hello CT43, There are two factors at work that lead to your recurrent sagging. The first was your skin and soft tissue quality has been comprimised by being heavier previously. Loss of tissue elasticity due to weight gain is a permanent change and prevents the skin from staying tight after skin tightening procedures. This loss of tightness is usually not significant, but can present recurrent skin sag in certain situations. The second issue is you got a... more

Gerald Minniti, MD, FACS
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

drminniti.com

Second Breast Lift?

Congratulations on your significant weight loss and ongoing healthy lifestyle. Yes, once your body has reached a “stable state” further tightening of the skin envelope of the breasts (mastopexy) will likely be helpful. Most patients who have had significant weight loss also benefit from breast implants to increase fullness of the breasts as well. Best wishes.

Tom J. Pousti, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

Needing a second breast lift

Patients who undergo massive weight loss have sagging and stretching and overhang of their skin, and the skin has been damaged. A breast lift is designed to lift the breast and nipple and reduce the overhang while still keeping the scars under a swimsuit line. Breast lifts do not tighten the upper pole of the breast, and in MWL patients the skin of the entire chest has been stretched in all directions. So, although a lift will tighten the skin in the lower breast, the damaged... more

Robert M. Grenley, MD
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Secondary breast lift

Recurrent laxity is not too surprising given your history. If your nipples are still at the right level then I would consider a small implant to better shape your breasts and provide superior fullness. That will fill out the top part of the breast very nicely. You may require a small amount of skin tightening as well, depending on the size implant you choose. If you still have a considerable amount of breast tissue then you could consider the "internal bra"... more

Tiffany McCormack, MD
Reno Plastic Surgeon

www.plasticsurgeryrenotahoe.com

Need for mastopexy (breast lift) revision

Weight loss patients present many challenges for a breast lift (mastopexy) because the breast skin and tissue have been severely stretched and have little remaining tone. There is a significant risk that a revision would be needed. If your lift was performed merely as a skin tightening procedure, recurrent sagging is almost guaranteed. Some sort of internal remodeling, what you call an "internal lift," is required for your best shot at correcting the... more

Bruce Genter, MD
Abington Plastic Surgeon

Second Breast Lift After Weight Loss

If your breast skin has lost elasticity, it is very difficult to fill the superior breast unless you use an implant. If you are happy with your size and understand the difficulties with superior breast fullness, a repeat lift would tighten your skin and improve the contour.

Elizabeth S. Harris, MD
San Antonio Plastic Surgeon

A second breast lift might need volume

When the breast is thin and deflated through weight loss a breast lift will raise and shape the breast, improve the nipple position, though still leave the breast rather soft and flaccid. In addition to considering a second breast lift, more volume can dramatically improve the breast shape and appearance. The idea of an 'internal' lift is likely to leave the upper scoop and provide less than what even a smaller breast implant might provide. Best of luck, peterejohnsonmd more

Peter E. Johnson, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Breast lifts can be redone

There are many different kinds of breast lifts, some are designed to cut out excess skin, others reshape the internal breast tissue. The latter procedures last longer and look better. The only problem is that sometimes after performing one type, other types are off-limits because of blood supply issues. I routinely peform secondary lifts, but only when safe and indicated. As for the Goes technique - internal brassiere, the above holds true for this technique as well. more

Robert M. Freund, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

www.breastenlargement.net

Implants may be necessary

Recurrent laxity is not that unusual after a mastopexy following weight loss. This is especially true if you continue to lean out. Options you have include a redo pexy(which is usually easier with a quicker recovery), implants or a combination of the procedures. More persistent fullness generally is obtained with implants.

Brian Klink, MD
Sacramento Plastic Surgeon

Repeat breast lift

The problem you have is basically one of poor tissue elasticity and lost fat volume. This makes for a very difficult starting point to get a great breast result. You probably will need another lift plus implants to get more tone in the tissues. "Internal lifts" are mostly marketing and don't work well with poor elasticity, and they certainly won't do as much for you as an implant would.