Breast droop, technically called breast ptosis, is extremely common after pregnancy. However, contrary to popular belief, it is not caused by breastfeeding. Instead, other factors, such as smoking, genetics, age and number of pregnancies, are involved. However, there are things you can do to help prevent your breasts from drooping. And there are surgical options to address this, too. This article explains.

What Causes Your Breasts To Droop After Pregnancy?

Almost the moment after you fall pregnant, your body experiences a massive surge of hormones that trigger an avalanche of physical and chemical changes. In particular, some of these hormonal surges will cause your milk glands to expand and your breast volume to increase.

Later, in the weeks to months after pregnancy or weaning, when your milk glands shrink, the skin and ligaments lose elasticity and fail to contract back to their original state. There is a confluence of factors that drive this process, including:

• Ligament Stretching: Your breasts have bands of fibrous connective tissue that run from the chest wall to the skin. These are called Cooper’s ligaments, named after the British surgeon Sir Astley Cooper. They act as internal scaffolding to support your breast, maintain its shape and determine its natural contour. During pregnancy, they stretch to accommodate the heavy, engorged breasts. Afterwards, these ligaments don’t bounce back, so this affects the shape and contour of the breast.
• Tissue Inflation & Deflation: Your pregnancy hormones replace fatty and connective tissue with denser milk-producing (glandular) tissue. When the breasts shrink after pregnancy or weaning, this often results in volume loss, and the breasts appear emptier.
• Weight Fluctuations: Significant weight gain during pregnancy, followed by weight loss soon after, can drastically affect breast elasticity, causing it to sag (become ptotic).
• Genetics And Age: Your natural skin elasticity decreases as you age. Further, your genetic predisposition heavily influences how your breast tissue and ligaments respond to pregnancy.

Is Breastfeeding To Blame For My Drooping Breasts?

Put simply, no. While it was commonly believed that breastfeeding caused a woman’s breasts to sag (become ptotic), this is not the case. Extensive research indicates that, among other factors, age, genetics, the number of pregnancies (with each pregnancy increasing the risk of ptosis) and smoking are the main culprits.

How Do I Prevent My Breasts from Sagging after Pregnancy?

There are several things you can do to help prevent your breasts from sagging.

• SUPPORTIVE BRA: Protect your ligaments from overstretching by always wearing a good, supportive maternity and nursing bra.
• MANAGE YOUR WEIGHT: Extreme fluctuations in weight can have a massive impact on breast ptosis (and also cause stretch marks), so aim to keep your pregnancy weight within the healthy weight range recommended by your doctor.
• DON’T SMOKE: Smoking destroys collagen and elastin fibres, which are responsible for skin elasticity and structural support. Nicotine also constricts blood vessels, depriving the skin of vital oxygen and nutrients, causing your supporting ligaments to stretch and the skin to lose its natural ability to snap back.
• MAINTAIN SKIN ELASTICITY: Eat a nutrient-rich, well-balanced diet and stay hydrated to keep your skin and tissues healthy.

Surgical Options to Address Drooping Breasts

If, after completing your family, you would like to have your breasts surgically addressed, there are options. The right option for you will depend on the degree of breast ptosis, and your body, state of health and goals. This can only be determined by a consultation with Dr Eddy Dona.

However, the following surgical procedures are often considered.

Breast Lift (Mastopexy)

A Breast Lift (Mastopexy) is a surgical procedure designed to address breast drooping or sagging (ptosis). It aims to elevate and alter the shape of the breast. Importantly, it does not increase the volume of the breast; rather, it makes the breast firmer and more elevated.

There are various techniques used to perform a Breast Lift, depending on your breast size and shape, the size and position of the areola, the amount of sagging and the quality of your skin.

The most common technique, suited to most patients, is the anchor lift. It has a circular incision around the areola, a vertical incision going down to the breast fold, and then another incision along the breast crease. These incisions result in the shape of an anchor.

Along with general surgical risks related to any surgery, potential risks and complications associated with a Breast Lift include scarring, breast asymmetry, changes in nipple or areolar sensation, loss of nipple and areolar tissue, inability to breastfeed, breast lumps, breast ptosis, upper pole emptiness, inadequate cleavage and revision surgery.

Breast Lift With Implants

If you would like to have extra volume, as well as more lifted breasts, Dr Dona may perform a Breast Lift with Implants (aka Mastopexy Augmentation). This procedure is best suited for individuals with minimal breast tissue. Also, there are limitations as to the size of the implant used. Patients should keep in mind that approximately 20% may benefit from further surgery to fine-tune the results.

Along with general surgical risks related to any surgery, potential risks and complications associated with a Breast Lift With Implants are the same as those listed above, as well as implant rupture, capsular contracture, rippling or visible folds of the implant, double bubble (contour irregularity along the lower breast) and symmastia (implants positioned too close together).

BIO Lift™

The BIO Lift™ is a surgical technique created by Dr Eddy Dona. Using a breast implant and specific techniques, it aims to add volume and lift the breasts without the scars used in conventional breast lift techniques. Instead, only one incision, about five centimetres wide, is created in the breast fold, and for this reason, it’s often referred to as a Scarless Breast Lift.

In addition to the general surgical risks associated with any surgery, potential risks and complications of a BIO Lift™ include implant rupture, capsular contracture, rippling or visible folds of the implant, double bubble (a contour irregularity along the lower breast), and symmastia (implants positioned too close together).

How Soon Can I Have Breast Surgery after Pregnancy?

Dr Dona advises that you must wait at least six months after pregnancy or weaning your child before considering surgery. This is due to several reasons, including:

• Breast Stability: During pregnancy and breastfeeding, hormonal changes cause the breasts to enlarge and fluctuate in size. Waiting until your breasts have settled into their natural, stable shape allows you and your surgeon to select the most suitable implants accurately.
• Physical Recovery: Pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding place significant demands on your body. Allowing yourself time to recover before surgery fully helps reduce the risk of complications and supports a smoother healing process.
• Milk Production: If you have breastfed, it’s important to wait at least six months after your final feed before undergoing Breast Augmentation. This allows milk production to cease completely, reducing the risk of complications such as infection or milk cysts.
• Future Pregnancies: While breast implants do not usually affect your ability to breastfeed, future pregnancies and breastfeeding can stretch the skin and change the size and shape of your breasts, potentially altering the long-term cosmetic results of your Breast Augmentation.

Book An Initial Consultation With Dr Eddy Dona

If you’d like to discuss your breast ptosis, the first step is to book an appointment with Dr Eddy Dona in his Sydney-based rooms.

During the appointment, you can share your concerns, have Dr Dona thoroughly examine you and review your medical history.

If he determines that surgery may be an option, he will explain the surgical approach, outline the expected recovery and discuss potential risks and complications. He will also take the time to answer any of your questions, so you feel fully informed before making any decisions.

 

References

The effect of breastfeeding on breast aesthetics

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19083576/

Breast ptosis: causes and cure

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20354434/