Can Eating Disorders Affect Breast Development?

Question

I'm 20 years old and I want to know the condition of my breasts in shape, condition, and ptotis grade. When I was 13-14, I suffered from weight phobia issue; I lost 30lbs rapidly and regained it in high school. Could this have affected the development of my breasts?

Jerome Edelstein, MD · Answer

Your breasts are affected by ptosis although it is difficult to determine the grade just by these photos alone. Dramatic weight fluctuations can contribute to sagging, and this may be what happened to you.

Elizabeth Slass Lee, MD · Answer

Your photos show breast ptosis with the nipple below the crease under the breast. There is no way to know if your shape is due to weight gain and loss, it just is what it is. You are certainly not the only woman of your age who looks like this.  The good news is that this can be fixed by a procedure called mastopexy or breast lift surgery.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD · Answer

There are two types of ptosis. True ptosis, as Dr. Rand indicated, occurs when the nipple falls below the horizontal level of your breast crease. Pseudo ptosis is when the breast gland (not the nipple) falls below the horizontal level of the breast crease. It is difficult to tell if you have a Grade 2 or 3 ptosis but it is true ptosis. Your weight gain and loss have contributed to the appearance of ptosis by the significant degree of volume loss which creates the "empty sack" look.

Jeffrey Zwiren, MD · Answer

Your breast shape shows significant breast sagging.  This can occur even at a young age.  With your history of weight gain and loss it makes it even more of a problem.  You are a candidate for a breast lift with or without implants.

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS (retired) · Answer

You have true breast ptosis (grade doesn't matter) because the nipples are below the creases.  Only if the breasts weren't like this before the weight problems would I believe it was from the eating disorder.  Some girls unfortunately just develop like this.

Can Eating Disorders Affect Breast Development?

Answers (5)

Answer: Sagging of breast even at a young age

Answer: Sagging of breast even at a young age

Answer: True breast ptosis

Answer: True breast ptosis

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Breast Augmentation

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.

Can Eating Disorders Affect Breast Development?

Answers (5)

Answer: Sagging of breast even at a young age

Answer: Sagging of breast even at a young age

Answer: True breast ptosis

Answer: True breast ptosis

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Breast Augmentation

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.