Many women cite the studied health benefits and reported emotional bond they feel it creates between mother and child as the reason they chose to breastfeed. Others opt for formula because they feel breastfeeding will change the appearance of their breasts. Earlier this month the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery reported that women with breast implants are increasingly concerned that their augmented breasts would change shape after breastfeeding.
A study surveyed 160 mothers who had breast implants. Eighty-six percent of the mothers chose not to breastfeed because they didn’t want their breasts to look bad, and 13% of the mothers in the study who did breastfeed their babies were concerned their breast shape would change because of breastfeeding. Although more research is necessary, doctors say breastfeeding should not be blamed for breast sagging in women with (or without) breast implants after pregnancy. Instead, they say breast sagging is more evident after each pregnancy whether or not the mother breastfeeds.
Therefore, whether you’ve had a breast augmentation, breast-fed or bottle-fed, you may notice increased sagging with each pregnancy. However, something can be done to correct the appearance of deflated, sagging breasts. If you’ve already had a breast enhancement and decide you’d like further refinement after the birth of a child, breast revision surgery is an option.
During breast revision surgery, Dr. David Whiteman removes the original breast implants, and depending on the patient’s desires, he can excise tissue and lift the breast to a more natural location or insert new breast implants for added volume. Mothers who do not have breast implants, but are bothered by sagging breasts after pregnancy can benefit from a breast lift procedure. Breast lift surgery can be performed with or without a breast implant to produce fuller breasts depending on the patient’s wishes.
Unfortunately less perky breasts are not the only complaint many women have about their bodies following pregnancy. It’s not always easy to get back to that pre-baby appearance, but mommy makeover surgery can help. Usually comprised of a breast procedure (breast augmentation, breast lift, or breast reduction), along with tummy tuck surgery and liposuction, a mommy makeover procedure is custom-tailored to the mother’s specific needs. Aside from mommy makeover surgery, Dr. Whiteman maintains a focus on Health and Wellness at his Duluth plastic surgery practice and offers helpful exercise tips and healthy recipes to promote the long-term health of his patients (and their children)!