Losing Weight Before or After Breast Implants?

Question

I am about 20 pounds overweight and not sure if I should lose the weight now then get breast implants or get breast implants then lose weight. Please help.

Stephen T. Greenberg, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question.  I find that many patients in consultation will cite that they have some weight that they wish to lose in the hopes of reaching a target number.  For fluctuations anywhere from 10-20 lbs, this is generally not an issue if it occurs post-op but every patient is different and should be evaluated on an individual basis.  Generally speaking, for patients who have lost a significant amount of weight in the past, it is recommended that they wait until their weight has stabilized before undergoing a cosmetic surgical procedure, breast augmentation included.  Historical trends in how and from what areas a patient generally looses weight, skin tone and elasticity, and how realistic achieving a proposed weight-loss is for a given patient should all be considered.  To answer your question, weight loss will not have any effect on your breast implants.  Weight loss can however affect the appearance of your breasts, as weight loss can lead to changes in breast tissue which can cause breast ptosis or breast droop.  I would recommend scheduling a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon to discuss the options available to you and to get the best recommendation as to when you should proceed with the proposed procedure in your specific case and given your desire to loose roughly 20 lbs.  I hope you find this helpful and I wish you the best of luck!

Otto Joseph Placik, MD · Answer

It is always better to be closer to your ideal or long term stable weight PRIOR to surgery rather than after because major weight loss can have a significant effect on the outcome of your surgery.

Armando Soto, MD, FACS · Answer

Hi there-

	This is always a tricky question to answer...

	If you are truly committed to losing 20 pounds, and are doing so because you feel it is in your long term best interests to do so (and NOT simply because you want to have surgery), AND truly believe that you will be able to maintain the new weight and lifestyle over the long term, then yes, it would be better to lose the weight before surgery.

	However, if you read that sentence again (if you haven't already) you will realize how many "ifs" there are in it, as well as a very important "AND"....

	Weight loss before body contouring rather than after is always more likely to allow a safe and pleasing long term outcome- but only if the weight remains stable and the weight loss is pursued in a healthy manner.

	Good luck!

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Thank you for the question. Although weight loss will not have a direct effect on your breast implants,  significant weight loss may affect the appearance of your breasts in general. It is difficult to predict how a specific young lady's breasts will change with weight loss; how the breasts were affected historically with weight loss may be  the best indication how you will do.Generally speaking, significant weight loss can lead to some change in breast tissue (and/or nipple/areola) position;  this “sagging” is called breast ptosis medically.Sometimes, patients who lose weight will have a smaller amount of breast/soft tissue coverage overlying the breast implants; this change in breast anatomy may lead to a greater degree of breast implant palpability and/or rippling.  In these cases, the breasts may also appear smaller.Therefore, generally speaking, it is in patient's best interest to achieve a long-term stable weight prior to undergoing elective breast surgery.I hope this, and the attached link, help.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

If you are definitely losing the weight, then do that first and then have the breast surgery. This more than likely will give the best chance for great results.

Peter A. Aldea, MD · Answer

Ideally, you should NOT have any body contouring operation if your weight is not stable. A large weight loss may be associated with some deflation and skin/breast sagging. For this reason, if you THINK you may want to lose a significant amount of weight it may be best to do it first.

Darryl J. Blinski, MD · Answer

It is ALWAYS best to be a the weight you wish to be at prior to getting implants. This can effect the choice of size. Please lose some weight!

	From MIAMI DR. B

Robin T.W. Yuan, MD · Answer

Since breast implants is a body-contouring procedure, ideally you should be at a healthy and stable weight since your breast size and shape may change with weight shifts. If you are overweight, and plan and are capable of losing weight and keeping it off, you should try to do things prior to breast augmentation. Your surgery will be that much more predictable and long-lasting.

Losing Weight Before or After Breast Implants?

Answers (8)

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