Advice for Sagging Breasts After Weight Loss?

         Massive weight loss
of more then 100 lbs can significantly affect a women’s body. Weight loss of
this magnitude can cause loose saggy skin in multiple anatomic areas. It’s not
unusual for women to lose breast volume and develop breast sag, when this type
of weight loss occurs. For this reason, they frequently request breast lift and
breast augmentation surgery.

 

         Without pictures and
a physical exam it’s hard to know what option is best for you. The majority of
patients want restoration of breast volume, correction of breast sag, upper
breast fullness and symmetry. The majority of patients require a keyhole
mastopexy. In some cases a breast implant is necessary to create upper breast
fullness and restore breast volume.

 

         Breast implants can
be placed at the time of the breast lift or delayed and performed as a
secondary procedure. Both approaches have advantages and disadvantages and many
surgeons have strong opinions about this topic.

 

         When both procedures
are performed together, revisions are frequently necessary. For this reason,
some surgeons feel that staging the procedure is appropriate. Advocates for a
combined procedure feel that this approach saves the majority of patients a
secondary procedure. They don’t view a secondary procedure as a complication
but instead as a necessary next step.

 

         It’s appropriate to
individualize care for each patient. In some patients, a combined procedure is
indicated while in others a staged approach is necessary.

 

         If your considering
breast augmentation and breast lift following massive weight loss, consultation
with a board certified plastic surgeon is appropriate. This surgeon should be
able to help you formulate a treatment plan that will meet your needs. 

Breast lift surgery will use the volume that you already have and reposition it higher, perkier, and tighter on your chest. Weight loss results in excess skin, which must be removed by lifting the breasts to give you the right shape!

If you've lost a significant amount of weight and are experiencing sagging breasts, a breast lift (mastopexy) is a common solution. This procedure involves repositioning the breasts higher on the chest and tightening the skin to restore a more youthful shape, eliminating excess sagging. Additionally, breast implants (saline or silicone) can be added during a breast lift to restore volume, especially in the upper part of the breasts. This combination of procedures is often the best option to achieve both a firm, lifted shape and the desired size, particularly if you want to maintain large breasts. In some cases, surgeons may recommend staging the procedures—first performing the lift and later adding implants—to minimize complications and ensure optimal results.
It's crucial to consult with an experienced plastic surgeon who specializes in breast surgery for post-weight loss patients. They will assess your unique needs, discuss incision types, and help you decide on the best approach. Since skin elasticity may be affected by the weight loss, your surgeon will set realistic expectations about the final outcome. While recovery varies, many women are able to return to light activities within a few weeks, with final results taking several months.
Krishna Vyas, MD, PhD, MHSHarvard, Hopkins, & Mayo Clinic Trained Aesthetic Plastic SurgeonNew York, New York

Thank you for your question, and congratulations on your weight loss!  Deflation of the breasts after losing a large amount of weight is extremely common.  As you've lost volume of breast tissue, the likely best solution for your problem is a combination of breast implants with a mastopexy (breast lift).  Combined, these two techniques will restore both volume and shape to the breast.  This is a fairly difficult, technical operation for even an experienced plastic surgeon.  To insure the optimal result, I would recommend consulting with a board-certified plastic surgeon who specializes in aesthetic breast work, especially in those patients who've lost weight.

Thank you for your question.  You sound like excellent candidate for a breast lift to bring the breasts up and reduce the size of the areola.  Photos would be helpful to best answer answer your question.The type of incision needed is best determined by physical exam.I perform a liposuction breast lift/reduction known as Breast LipoLift®. This specialized technique spares more nerves and blood supply as well as removes tissue from the areas you don't want such as near the armpit and the lower portion hanging near your stomach. Once I use this to shape the breast, I then remove the excess skin to tighten the breast and create a more proportional silhouette with better cleavage. This procedure is also more accurate than traditional breast lifts or reductions since I use 3D measurements to uncover size asymmetries. During the procedure I remove exactly whatever is more from the larger side to get as close to symmetry as possible. Since I perform this less invasively the recovery time is faster and drains are not necessary. Over 90% of my patients are out to dinner the next evening taking only Advil and Tylenol if even needed. The size would depend on the proportion with your body versus going for a cup size.  It has been proven to have less complications than traditional breast reduction (please see my Breast LipoLift® page web page) and should not affect nipple sensation, mammograms, cancer risk or breast-feeding. The best way to assess and give true advice would be an in-person exam.  Please see a board-certified plastic surgeon that specializes in breast plastic surgery.  Best of luck!    Dr. Schwartz Board Certified Plastic Surgeon#RealSelf100Surgeon #RealSelfCORESurgeon#RealSelfTopContributor

Thank you for your question and congratulations on the weight loss!  While life-changing for your health and general well being, as you have described, significant weight loss can also affect a woman's body.  The good news is that as plastic surgeons we have options available to patients who wish for fuller and more perky breasts.Without a physical exam it is difficult to say with any certainty exactly what procedure (or combination of procedures) you may need to achieve the result you desire.  To counteract the volume loss and breast sag, or ptosis, that can develop after significant weight loss and/or pregnancy sometimes a combination of a breast lift and breast implants are required in order to restore the volume and shape to the breasts.  You should definitely take pride in and be excited about your weight loss!  There are several options available to help counteract the weight loss' affect on your breasts and I would highly recommend scheduling an in-person consultation appointment with a board-certified plastic surgeon.  At the time of this consultation and physical exam, the best plan of action can be set forth.  Again, congratulations on the weight loss and I wish you all the best!