Tummy Tuck Surgery Effect on Size and Shape of Breasts?

TBowles,
Having a tummy tuck will have no or minimal effect on your breasts. In fact, many people choose to have breast surgery at the same time as their abdominoplasty - so while the belly gets smaller, the breasts get bigger (or lifted).
Good luck with your surgery.
David Shafer, MD
Shafer Plastic Surgery

Hello TBowles. Thank you for your question regarding the potential effects of a tummy tuck on the size and shape of your breasts.

It's great to hear that you have planned your surgery thoughtfully around important life events. As you prepare for your tummy tuck, it's natural to wonder about the implications it might have on other parts of your body, such as your breasts.

Effects of a Tummy Tuck on Breasts:
A tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, primarily targets the abdominal area to remove excess skin and fat and to tighten the abdominal muscles. The direct impact of this procedure is confined to the abdomen, and it does not structurally alter the breasts or the breast tissue. However, there are a few indirect effects you might notice:

Visual Proportion Changes: After a tummy tuck, the removal of excess abdominal skin and the tightening of the abdomen can change your overall body proportions. This might make your breasts appear more prominent or slightly different in proportion to the rest of your torso.

Posture Improvements: A tummy tuck can improve your posture by tightening the abdominal muscles and removing excess weight from the front of your torso. Improved posture might enhance the way your breasts appear, potentially making them look more uplifted due to a straighter back and improved body alignment.

Perceived Changes: While the surgery does not physically alter your breast size or shape, the change in your abdominal contour can create a different visual effect, making it seem as though your breast position or shape has changed slightly.

Discussing Concerns with Your Surgeon:

Communication is Key: Absolutely mention your concerns to your surgeon. It is important for your surgeon to know that you are satisfied with your breast size and appearance, and that maintaining the current look of your breasts is a priority for you.

Surgical Planning: Discussing these details can help your surgeon plan the procedure in a way that considers the balance and proportions of your entire torso. Although the tummy tuck itself won’t change your breast size, understanding your aesthetic goals will help your surgeon provide advice and care tailored to your overall body contour.

Setting Expectations: Your surgeon can give you a detailed explanation of how the changes to your abdominal area might visually impact your upper body and what, if any, additional procedures could complement your tummy tuck to achieve your desired overall body shape.

It’s excellent that you are approaching your surgery with detailed questions and concerns. Being fully informed and communicating openly with your surgeon will help ensure that you are satisfied with the outcomes of your procedure.

Best of luck with your upcoming surgery, and may you enjoy the wedding and your new look with confidence!

Sincerely,

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FASMBS, FICS
Plastic Surgeon

The tummy tuck procedure will not affect the size of your breasts. In contrast to your waist size coming in they may even seem (illusion) that they are slightly bigger

When we talk about Tummy tuck we are referring to the lower abdomen and not to the breasts, there are other surgeries like breast lift, or TUBA surgery that affect the breast but a tummy tuck should not change the size and shape of your breasts.

Many patients are concerned if they have a tummy tuck it will lower their breast position.  This is not true.  A tummy tuck will have to impact on your breast shape or position.  The downward traction of the abdominal tissue that is performed during a tummy tuck is not significant enough to affect your breasts at all.

Please consult with a board certified plastic surgeon prior to scheduling a tummy tuck procedure.

Best wishes,

Dr. Bruno

A tummy tuck doesn't change your breasts' shape or size.  However if someone asks to have a tummy tuck and a breast lift and augmentation at the same time I talk with them about how a tummy tuck will change the PERCEPTION of the breast size.  I will sometimes even have people separate these procedures and perform the tummy tuck first and THEN have them select a breast size to help balance their figure with the now flatter abdomen.  After a tummy tuck some women feel like their breasts are larger, but it really is only because the breast APPEAR larger in comparison to the abdomen.