Sagging or drooping breasts are a common complaint our board-certified surgeons hear during some patient consultations at Synergy Plastic Surgery. Many women want to achieve perkier breasts and restore lost volume. Thankfully, there are many options to address saggy breasts including a breast lift or breast lift with augmentation. The right procedure for you will depend on your goals, anatomy, and the cause of sagging. Let’s discuss three common causes of sagging or drooping breasts!
Aging
Aging is the most common cause of saggy breasts. As skin loses elasticity and gravity continues to pull down on the breasts, this eventually causes sagging for most women. An underlying cause could be the natural decline of the female reproductive hormone, estrogen. A reduced amount of estrogen causes the skin and connective tissue of the breast to become less hydrated, making it less elastic.
With less elasticity, the breasts lose firmness and fullness and can develop a stretched and looser appearance. It’s not uncommon to change your cup size as you age.
However, every woman will see different changes related to aging. Some may see only minor sagging while others may see more severe ptosis. As a result, breast fullness is compromised as the underlying support system of tissue and fat diminishes. A change may be particularly evident during menopause.
Pregnancy
Your breasts are made up of glands, fat, and fibrous tissue, and each one is divided into fifteen to twenty sections, called lobes. The lobes consist of many smaller lobules that end in dozens of tiny glands. When pregnancy hormones ramp up, extra blood volume causes the tissue to swell, and the glands begin to fill up with breast milk. All this fluid gain causes your boobs to become heavy and to potentially sag. Furthermore, once pregnancy and breastfeeding are over, the breasts tend to shrink in size, causing the stretched-out skin to droop and the breasts to sag.
Weight Changes
Weight changes–gain or loss–can contribute to or worsen breast sagging. With weight loss, extra skin can cause breast sagging and result in unwanted volume loss. Weight gain can increase the volume in the breasts, which can also cause sagging. When combined with aging and other factors, weight changes can largely affect breast ptosis.
Smoking
Smoking causes the premature breakdown of the body’s structures. It limits collagen production, thins the skin, and leads to loss of elasticity earlier in life. It can also overall worsen the natural aging of your skin and breasts. As previously mentioned, the decrease of collagen causes the skin to lose its elasticity, parts that were once firm may begin to droop. This includes the inner arms and breasts. In fact, according to WebMD, researchers have identified smoking as a top cause of sagging breasts. Quitting smoking can prevent the break down of elastin in your breasts.
How can I treat sagging or drooping breasts?
A breast lift, technically called mastopexy, is appropriate for women of all ages and body types. Because every woman who visits Synergy Plastic Surgery is unique, our surgeons strive to give each one of them natural-looking results that enhance their own beauty. Women choose breast lift surgery for a variety of improvements, including:
- Restoring a firm, sculpted breast shape
- Repositioning breasts that are aligned unevenly
- Reducing enlarged areolas (the dark skin around the nipple)
- Improving self-confidence
When you visit us for your consultation, your surgeon will help you determine the plan that will best help you achieve your aesthetic goals. Your surgeon may recommend combining your breast lift with breast augmentation to give you the breast size and shape you want.
Can breast implants alone lift my breasts?
Many patients who are interested in both lifting and augmenting their breasts wonder whether breast implants alone will help them achieve their ideal look. For some patients, placing an implant can be enough to fill out the breast pocket and bring the nipple to a more appropriate point on the breast, however this is not the norm. This approach would require a fairly large implant, which poses potential problems or complications, including bottoming out. Oftentimes, the skin has already been stretched to a point that a lift will be required, even with the placement of an implant.
Whether you’re looking to restore your pre-pregnancy body, feel sexier, confident, and more feminine, or simply turn back the clock, cosmetic breast surgery may be right for you.
If you are considering cosmetic surgery to reach your aesthetic goals, Synergy Plastic Surgery is here to help every step of the way. Our board certified plastic surgeons offer personalized complimentary consultations in order to create a tailored plan of action to help you feel confident in your own skin.
Call (512) 244-1444 to schedule your complimentary consultation at Synergy Plastic Surgery today!
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