Can SUPER Large Breast Implants Lead to Weight Gain?

Question

...as the body tries to compensate for out of whack body symmetry - I've been told that it was inevitable to gain weight in trunk and legs when one goes with huge implants- like 1000 cc's on a 5'3" 120 lb woman.  True or not? I am considering a breast reduction, lift and much smaller implants - PS suggests lipo as diet and exercise have not worked for me to lose the 15 lbs I've gained since EXTRA LARGE implants were placed 2 years ago.  Please Advise. Thanks

Sam Speron, MD, FACS · Answer

Hi,
Thank you for your question.
Breast implants will not cause you to gain weight directly when they are that large. The implants only weigh a couple of pounds at most. They could also have an indirect effect on your weight. Implants this large can bring about several other issues such as neck, back, and shoulder pain, sagging, and thinning of breast skin. The pain along with having such large implants on your small frame could get in the way of exercising.
It is important to find a good board-certified plastic surgeon. Most likely after having such large implants, your breasts will need some work including a lift. It is also important to keep in mind that liposuction is not necessarily for weight loss, but more for body contouring. Consult with your plastic surgeon to see what your best options are.
Best regards,
Dr. Speron

David Shafer, MD, FACS · Answer

The only weight gain would be that of the implants.  However, if you do have very large implants, it may inhibit your exercise which would indirectly lead to weight gain as well.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Thank you for the question. The use of larger breast implants does not lead to significant weight gain. On the other hand, larger breast implants can be problematic, both physically and psychosocially. Therefore, careful patient selection is key. Having said that, some of my happiest and most grateful patients, our patients with “extra large” breast augmentation surgery. You may find the attached link, dedicated to “extra large” breast augmentation concerns, helpful to you as you learn more. Best wishes.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

The weight you should gain from implants would be the weight of the implant + volume of the implant. Let's say an implant is 300 cc's that is about a 1/2 pound. So with two implants you would gain about a pound. If you have gained weight because of inactivity, that can improve with increased activity and diet.

Christopher L. Hess, MD · Answer

Implant, no matter how large, do not cause you to gain weight.  Implants on the order of 1000cc's cause many more problems than weight gain such as thinning of the overlying breast tissue, stretching of the skin and breast tissue, neck, shoulder and back pain and rashes under the enlarged breasts.  
Removing such large implants will leave breasts that will need significant work.  You might what to do the surgery in stages to  be absolutely safe.  Just a thought.

Can SUPER Large Breast Implants Lead to Weight Gain?

Answers (5)