Pregnancy and childbirth are obviously momentous occasions in any woman’s life which should be celebrated. However, it is undeniable that pregnancy can take a toll on a woman’s body, especially her breasts. During pregnancy, it’s natural for a woman’s breasts to become heavier and fuller, which may affect the size, shape, and positioning of the breasts. That’s why it has become so common for women to turn to cosmetic breast surgery to help rejuvenate their breasts after pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding. I have taken some time to detail how the most common breast procedures that I perform can help women after pregnancy.
Breast Reduction
The breasts grow larger and become full of milk during pregnancy. This growth often goes away over time after pregnancy has concluded, but this is not a guarantee. In addition to aesthetic dissatisfaction, some women may experience back or neck pain due to their newly enlarged breasts. Breast reduction surgery can be a great way to help women achieve their original pre-baby breast size. During the procedure, I am able to remove excess fat, tissue, and skin from the breast in order to create breasts that are smaller, lighter, and more firm.
Breast Lift
Breast lift surgery is also quite common after pregnancy. Stretching of the breast skin can lead to sagging breasts that lack firmness. A breast lift can help by removing this stretched, loose skin (as well as some fat) from the breast area. The underlying breast tissue is then repositioned to help achieve perkier, younger-looking breasts. A breast lift may also be helpful for women whose nipples have fallen below the breast crease and have begun to point downward after pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Breast Augmentation
Although pregnancy is often associated with an increase in breast size, the opposite can be true for some women. Breast augmentation can enhance the size and shape of the breasts for women who experience a decrease in breast size as a result of breastfeeding. During breast augmentation consultations, I discuss the wide array of implant sizes, shapes, and materials with my patients (and let them try on different implant sizes) in order to help them find the implants that best satisfy their specific aesthetic goals. I also provide TouchMD software during consultations to let patients see a preview of their possible results.
I advise all prospective cosmetic breast surgery patients to wait until their weight and breast size has stabilized and their breasts have stopped producing milk following pregnancy. This typically occurs at least 3 months after breastfeeding has stopped, however the timeframe can vary. If you feel that your body is ready for surgery, I recommend scheduling a consultation with an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon. Contact me, Dr. David Whiteman, at Southern Plastic Surgery to schedule a complimentary plastic surgery consultation today. You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for additional tips, news, and updates.