What Happens to Your Breasts After a Tummy Tuck if the Skin is Being Pulled?

Question

I am 42 y/o going in for a tummy tuck Dec 8 2011 i have a large chest 44DDD what happens to your breast after the tummy tuck if all the skin is pulled down so tight

Jed H. Horowitz, MD, FACS · Answer

abdominoplasty usually do not have a big impact on the size shape or postion of the breasts.  it is a good time however to think of a lift or reduction

Eric Pugash, MD · Answer

I have never seen permanent changes to the breasts after abdominoplasty surgery.

	The downward pull from the tummy tuck decreases and eventually disappears as you go higher on the body.

	This is a good thing - you wouldn't want your lower lip pulled down from a tummy tuck!

	All the best.

Richard H. Tholen, MD, FACS · Answer

Virtually every plastic surgeon will tell you that the maximum height of dissection in a tummy tuck is to the xiphoid (very lowest tip of the breastbone), and even lower to the sides (usually well below the ribcage). This is to allow maximum loose skin removal and abdominal skin tightening while still preserving adequate blood supply for healing. (This is also why it is critical for tummy tuck patients to avoid all tobacco or nicotine products, as they are potent vasoconstrictors that can lead to dead skin or belly button.)

	Thus, there is a "zone of adherence" in the upper abdomen that prevents any stretch or distortion of the breasts from the tummy tuck, no matter how tight the repair is! There can occasionally be some initial tightness in the skin just below the breasts, but this settles and softens as the tummy tuck heals over several months.

	So, whatever you breasts look like prior to tummy tuck, unless you have breast surgery at the same time, your tummy tuck will not affect the appearance of your breasts.

J. Jason Wendel, MD, FACS · Answer

In the long run, probably not much. 

	In the short term the inframammary fold (crease at the bottom of the breasts that defines the transition from breast to tummy) may be slightly lower by about 1-2 cm. The is temporary and usually goes back to its original location.

	If you are experiencing neck, back, and/or shoulder pain from larges breasts, breast reduction may also be an option for you. Discuss this with your board certified plastic surgeon.

	Best of Luck!

Donna Rich, MD · Answer

Breast size or changes in the breast contour or fold are not permanent after an abdominoplasty (tummy tuck). However, you may notice that your breasts appear larger once your abdomen is flatter and smaller. Good luck!

Barry L. Eppley, MD, DMD · Answer

This is an understandable question and it would seem that the pulling down of abdominal tissues from a tummy tuck would change the bottom half of the breasts. The reality is, however, that there are no breast changes with a tummy tuck. This is because the pull from a tummy tuck is quite low and not high up by the base of the breasts. In addition, the lower breast fold is a fixed tissue crease that prevents it from being pulled down. Your breasts may fall over the lower breast crease with time (sagging), but the crease itself will not change.

Craig Harrison, MD · Answer

The biggest change with a smaller tighter tummy will be a relative increase in the size of your breasts. The folds beneath your breasts will temporarily be stretched but I have never recognized the folds to drop. Should be a great Christmas present!!  Good luck

Steven Turkeltaub, MD · Answer

As evidenced by the unanimous response to your question, there will be no long term significant impact on your breasts as a result of a tummy tuck. The initial tightness and slight lowering of the crease of the bottom of the breast will relax back with time. The shape, size and drooping of your breasts will not be impacted. Given your DDD cup size, you may ultimately feel that your breasts need to be reduced as they will appear to be disproportionately larger in comparison with your more contoured, tighter and less projecting abdomen.

Jay Burns, MD · Answer

I have seen no long term effect of a tummy tuck on breast shape or position. In the short term the tension may pull the breast fold down slightly but this fold is secure and will return to its position when the skin returns to its resting tension.

Francisco Canales, MD · Answer

I have not seen any significant long-term changes. We do both tummy tuck and breast augmentation together frequently and I do not believe much will happen to your breasts. Because the tummy will be smaller, the breasts may seem larger afterward because the large tummy helps to hide them now. Discuss your concerns ahead of time with your surgeon.

What Happens to Your Breasts After a Tummy Tuck if the Skin is Being Pulled?

Answers (14)

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