I'm 22 yrs old and my breast are sagging. What would you recommend? (photos)

Question

im 22 years old ive always had a problem with my breast because they sagged very early at the age of 15 i have not been pregnant or sexually active recently they look even more sagging due to rapid weight loose.please help me,what should o look to get that youthful look because currently i look like a mother who has been breasfeeding

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Thank you for the question.  Unfortunately, your photographs are not present;  you may wish to repost them for more specific advice.  Based on your description, depending on exactly how much “sagging” is present, you may benefit from breast lifting and/or breast augmentation surgery.  Some general thoughts regarding this combination procedure may be helpful to you:
 Patients who are considering breast augmentation/lifting surgery should understand that this combination surgery is significantly more complex than either one of the procedures done separately. In other words, the combination breast augmentation / mastopexy surgery differs from breast augmentation surgery alone in that it carries increased risk compared to either breast augmentation or mastopexy surgery performed separately. Furthermore, the potential need for revisionary surgery is increased with breast augmentation / mastopexy surgery done at the same time.  This revisionary rate may be as high (or higher) than 20%. Patients should be aware of this higher revisionary rate;  obviously, the need for additional surgery, time off work/life  considerations,  and additional expenses  our “factors” that should be considered before undergoing the initial operation. I would say that, in most communities,  anesthesia and surgery facility fees (minimally) are patient responsibility,  when returning to the operating room for revisionary breast surgery.
 Personally, I find that the breast augmentation/lifting procedure to be one of the most challenging  of the breast operations I perform, even compared to somewhat complex revisionary breast surgery. On the one hand,  when performing breast augmentation/lifting surgery we are increasing the breast  size with breast implants;  on the other hand, we are reducing the breast “envelope” in order to achieve the breast lift. These two “forces” must be balanced as perfectly as possible in order to achieve the desired results. Removing too much skin/ breast tissue is problematic;  removing too little breast skin/tissue can also be problematic.  Remember also that patients presenting for breast lifting surgery and general have lost some skin elasticity/thickness making potential incision line healing problems and/or recurrent drooping/sagging important concerns to communicate.  The analogy I use in my practice is that  of a thinned out balloon,  being expanded with additional air; I hope that this analogy helps patients understand some of the issues at hand when performing the combination breast augmentation/lifing operation.
To achieve  a surgical result where the breast implant and breast tissue “come together” and behave like a single breast is one of my goals but can be difficult to achieve.  Essentially, we are trying to create a breast implant/breast tissue interface that feels and behaves as naturally ( as a single unit)  as possible. Generally speaking, making sure that the breast implant has some sub muscular and some sub glandular component ( dual plane)  and tailoring the overlying skin/subcutaneous tissue/breast tissue as precisely as possible over the underlying breast implant is key.
Despite these efforts, breast implants are after all a foreign body that don't necessarily stay where we wish they would;  therefore, breast implant related problems such as positioning ( too high, too low, lateral displacement etc.) can occur  and may be a reason for returning to the operating room for revisionary breast surgery.
I use a “tailor tacking” technique that allows a determination of what breast implant should be used to SAFELY produce the results the patient is looking for. This technique involves use of a temporary sizer and temporary “closure” of the overlying breast skin over the sizer. 
The use of the tailor tacking technique is very helpful.  Breast lifting involves removal of skin ( and tightening of the breast skin envelope)  while breast augmentation involves expansion of the breast skin envelope. These 2 forces are counteracting each other. Therefore, it becomes important to remove the appropriate amount of breast skin and to use the appropriate  size/profile of breast implants to balance these 2 forces appropriately and to allow for achievement of the patient's goals while minimizing risks of complications.  Again, despite these efforts, breast implant and/or tissue/skin complications may arise causing minor or significant complications.
 Generally speaking, it is difficult to achieve the “perfect” result with breast augmentation/lifting surgery, despite best efforts.  Patients should be aware of the complexity of this combination procedure, achieve REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS prior to proceeding, and understand that additional surgery ( along with the additional recovery time, stress, expenses etc) may be necessary in the short or long-term. Patients should understand that the results of the procedure will not necessarily match aesthetically the results of patients who have undergone breast augmentation surgery only.
For example, some patients who wish to maintain long-term superior pole volume/"roundness" may find that this result is not achieved after the initial breast augmentation/lifting operation.  An additional operation, possibly involving capsulorrhaphy, may be necessary to achieve the patient's longer-term goals ( with superior pole volume/roundness).  It is helpful if patients understand that this breast implant capsule used to provide the support for the breast implant is not present during the initial breast augmentation/lifting operation.  The capsule (layer of scar tissue) forms around the breast implant and may be a good source of supportive tissue during revisionary breast surgery,  Including correction of breast implant displacement/malposition problems ( such as bottoming out, symmastia,  lateral displacement etc).
 Potential risks associated with breast augmentation/lifting surgery include infection, bleeding, incision line healing problems, loss/change of nipple/areola complex sensation, and blood flow related issues  to causing skin or tissue necrosis.   Poor scarring,  pigment changes, areola/nipple asymmetry etc. are also potential problems. Again, patients may experience implant related problems such as encapsulation, leakage, displacement problems ( too high, bottoming out, lateral displacement, asymmetric positioning etc.), rippling/palpability of breast implants etc.  Patients may also be dissatisfied with breast size, shape, and/or how the  breast implants and overlying breast tissues “interface” with one another.    Occasionally, a breast implant may even have to be removed and the patient will generally be “implant free” for several months at least.  Obviously, this situation can be quite physically, emotionally, and psychosocially stressful to the patient involved.
Given the complexity  of the combination breast augmentation/lifting operation and the greater risk of revisionary breast surgery needed, there are good plastic surgeons who will insist on doing the procedures separately.
For me, if I see a patient who needs a great degree of lifting, who has lost a lot of skin elasticity, or  whose goal is a very large augmentation then I think it is best to do the procedures in 2 stages (in order to avoid serious complications). However, doing the procedure in one stage does increase the risks of complications in general and the potential need for further surgery. This increased risk must be weighed against the practical benefits of a single stage procedure (which most patients would prefer).

Conversely, if I see a patient who requires minimal to moderate lifting along with a small to moderate size augmentation (and has good skin quality), then doing the procedure one stage is much safer. Nevertheless, the potential risks  are greater with a 1 stage  procedure and the patient does have a higher  likelihood of needing revisionary surgery.
Having discussed some of the downsides  and potential risks/complications associated with breast augmentation/lifting surgery, most patients (If properly selected and who are doing the operations at the right time of their lives  psychosocially) accept the scars associated with breast augmentation/breast lifting surgery as long as they are happy with the improvement in contour, size, and symmetry.
 I hope that this summary of SOME  of the issues surrounding breast augmentation/lifting surgery  is helpful to you and other women considering this procedure in the future.
 The attached link may also be helpful.
 Best wishes.

Richard H. Fryer, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question.  If a breast lift is needed that can get rid of the excess skin that you may have after weight loss.  You can also do the lift with breast implants to give you the youthful and perky look you are saying that you want.  Your best option would be to first meet with a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon to find out if a lift is needed or not, but there are options out there that can give you the look you are wanting to achieve.If you would like additional information regarding breast augmentation, you can download a free copy of my Breast Augmentation Planner.  It is full of valuable and helpful information to give you the tools and guidance you need while going through this journey.  To download your copy, go to ABetterBreast.com.Best of luck to you.

Jerome Edelstein, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. You may or may not require a breast lift. It is possible to provide some "lift" and address minor sagging with implant type and placement. Your next step may be to book a consultation with a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon who will assess your breasts,  take measurements and then recommend a personalised treatment plan for you.All the best!

Bryson G. Richards, MD · Answer

I am sorry to hear that you are so unhappy with the appearance of your breastsCongratulations on your recent weight loss. Losing weight, although a good lifestyle choice, can "deflate" the breasts. If it is volume that you want, this can be fixed with an implant. If your concern is that the nipples point to the floor, this is ameliorated with a lift, or combination lift/augmentation.Be sure to see a board eligible/certified plastic surgeon to help guide you through this decision process.Best of luck!- Dr. Bryson Richards

Martin Jugenburg, MD · Answer

Hello, thank you for your question. An in person assessment is required to provide an accurate answer. That being said, you may need a breast lift and/ or implant to add volume. Best,

I'm 22 yrs old and my breast are sagging. What would you recommend? (photos)

Answers (9)

Answer: Breast lift versus breast augmentation or both

Answer: Breast lift versus breast augmentation or both

Answer: An in person assessment is required to provide an accurate answer.

Answer: An in person assessment is required to provide an accurate answer.

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I'm 22 yrs old and my breast are sagging. What would you recommend? (photos)

Answers (9)

Answer: Breast lift versus breast augmentation or both

Answer: Breast lift versus breast augmentation or both

Answer: An in person assessment is required to provide an accurate answer.

Answer: An in person assessment is required to provide an accurate answer.

Browse related questions

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.