Breast growth. How can I stop them from shrinking?

Question

so im almost 21 and growing up i was 42 DD and a year and some age my breast started shrinking leading me to now be slipping out of 34 D bra. I have gone through weight loss in my teens I was 180 lbs now im thinking im around 150-140 lbs, bumy breastst started shrinking before the weight loss. My aunts side of the family have big breasts. and i trying to quit smoking. Any chance they'll grow a little bit back? How can i tighten the loose skin? Is their anything i can do to help them? Thank you

Pablo Prichard, MD · Answer

Dear Ambi,In general, breasts will stop 'growing' when all other hormone related phenomenon from puberty stop changing. Some women have early puberty and early finishing of these changes, and some women have later and a more prolonged course. However, any changes to hormone levels, such as in pregnancy, nursing, etc. can change breasts, OCP may change growth, certain tumors may affect growth, weight gain will affect size, etc. The breast is composed of the breast gland that grows related to hormone levels of estrogen and prolactin as well as other hormones, but some women's breast tissue have more 'hormone receptors' than other women's and thus are more sensitive to hormone levels. That is why the hormone creams etc do not work on someone who naturally have smaller breasts because they are less sensative to hormones. In addition, the breast is also composed of fat tissue which grows and shrinks with weight gain and loss. So there is no simple answer here. It sounds like your breast loss is certainly related to your weight loss. There is nothing you can do to regain your breast size short of pregnancy or weight gain.  If you are not considering pregnancy in the near future, I would consider breast augmentation.  There is a possibility that you may need a lift as well.  Best Wishes!Pablo Prichard, MD

Michael B. Tantillo, MD · Answer

Certainly breast size can change with weight fluctuations, as you are experiencing.  Once your weight is stable, seek a consultation with a well qualified plastic surgeon (member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons) to discuss your concerns and goals.  In the meantime you should stop smoking - nicotine increases the risks of complications of surgery - particularly for many types of breast surgery.

Naveen Somia, MBBS, PhD, FRACS · Answer

Hi AmbiBreast shape changes are due to changes seen in the 3 tissue that make up the breast.1. Breast Gland Tissue2. Fat3. SkinWeight loss and weight gain will affect the volume of the fat and alter the size of the breast.Hormonal changes associated with Puberty, pregnancy and breast feeding will increase the breast gland tissue and increase and decrease the size of the breast.The ability of the skin to shrink back will depend on the skin health and any factor that affects skin health will make it less likely to 'spring back'. Smoking dose not help skin health.Hope this helps

Jeffrey Zwiren, MD · Answer

Some women show little change in breast size with weight gain and weight loss while others do.  There is nothing that you can physically do to accelerate or stop this process.  If you are developing some sagging of the breasts then you may need a breast lift in the future.  For surgical safety and health reasons best to stop smoking.

Robert L. Kraft, MD, FACS · Answer

Of course, with a significant weight loss, your breasts have decreased in size.  In terms of the sagging, although typically a younger patient has skin that will "snap back", if this is not the case for you, then the only treatment is surgical.  I would encourage you to stop smoking as this will put you at higher risk for any surgery you might have in the near future, as well as because of its general implications for your health.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

More than likely the weight loss contributed to some of the deflation.  The only way they will increase in size is with weight gain or implants.

Lisa M. DiFrancesco, MD · Answer

This can be a common problem in patients who lose weight. Weight lose will often cause breast to become sagging and deflated in appearance. This may require a breast lift with or without augmentation. You should consult with a board certified plastic surgeon to determine the correct procedure for you.

Jourdan Gottlieb, MD · Answer

Decreasing breast size and subsequent skin excess is rather common in women who have lost large amounts of weight. There really is no way to encourage breast growth, except perhaps with a large amount of weight gain which no one would suggest as an option.A breast lift operation is the only way to deal with the loose skin other than surgery to increase the volume (implants or fat grafting). There is not enough info here to suggest what is the best option, but you can find that out during a consultation with a plastic surgeon.Thanks for your question, all the best.

Breast growth. How can I stop them from shrinking?

Answers (8)

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