Breast Lift after Pregnancy

There is no question that pregnancy can have a dramatic effect on a woman’s body even after she gives birth and is finished nursing her infant. The breasts will rapidly lose volume once the infant is weaned. Unfortunately, the breasts do not always revert back to their pre-pregnancy size and shape. In addition, the breasts and nipple-areola complex may sag or droop or change in size or volume, or the breast skin may develop stretch marks. This can cause women to feel self-conscious about the shape or size of their breasts following pregnancy, leading them to undergo a mommy makeover with breast lift and other procedures. Drs. Marcus Crawford and Steven Bailey see many of these women in their practice.

What Happens to the Breasts after Pregnancy?

Before explaining the actual breast lift surgical procedure, it is important to first understand the nature of the breast structure and why it can change in appearance as a result of pregnancy and nursing. The breast consists of fat and glandular tissue. There is no muscle structure to the actual breast itself to lend it any support. Furthermore, the breast skin does not have a great deal of elasticity, which means that if it is stretched out of shape due to dramatic increases in breast weight (as is normal during pregnancy and lactation), it may not conform back to its earlier shape as the breast weight is lost once a woman stops lactating. As a result, the breasts may have a deflated appearance, sag, or droop with the nipples pointing downward rather than forward. The nipples and areola (the darkened skin surrounding the nipple) may also become stretched as a result of pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Subsequent Pregnancies after a Breast Lift Procedure

Many women who come to see Drs. Crawford and Bailey about a breast lift after pregnancy have decided to not have any more children. Of course, that decision may change over time, which may lead patients to be concerned about the effect of a subsequent pregnancy on the shape of the breasts and their ability to breastfeed.

The truth is that no two patients are exactly alike, so it may be difficult to predict the effect of another pregnancy on the already-lifted breasts. There will certainly be some change in shape and size, simply due to how the breasts change during pregnancy. The same can also be said of the nipple and areola structures during both pregnancy and lactation.

If patients do think that they might change their mind about not having any more children, they may wish to consider waiting until they are absolutely sure that they do not want anymore children. Doing so will ensure that the initial breast lift procedure will not be undermined due to another pregnancy and lactation period.

As long as you choose a qualified and skilled plastic surgeon to perform your breast lift surgery, you should maintain the ability to breastfeed.

After pregnancy and lactation, women may be feeling self-conscious about their breasts due to the dramatic changes their bodies have gone through. A breast lift procedure may help them regain some of their confidence in their looks.