Surgical options for deflated breasts after breastfeeding

Overview: Pregnancy, weight gain or loss, hormone fluctuations and breastfeeding can cause fluctuations in breast size and reduce the skin’s elasticity. Learn more about plastic surgery options for deflated breasts. 

Pregnancy, weight gain or loss, hormone fluctuations and breastfeeding can take their toll on the body, especially the breasts. Fluctuations in breast size from breastfeeding reduce the skin’s elasticity, with the breasts unable to go back to their pre-pregnancy appearance. 

When they’ve finished breastfeeding, it’s not uncommon for women to consult with a plastic surgeon to learn about breast surgery options.

There’s no guarantee that the surgery you want will be the one your plastic surgeon recommends. A thorough consultation and examination by the surgeon will determine the most suitable options for you.

Want to learn more? Request a consultation!

Surgery for deflated breasts

Breast augmentation

If you have a small amount of deflation, smaller breasts and less “droop” (ptosis), your surgeon might recommend breast implants to compensate for the lost volume. Typically, you’ll add a minimum of two cup sizes for the best cosmetic results. Cohesive gel (gummy bear) breast implants offer you options in firmness, shape, size and profile. Breast augmentation surgery can deliver an excellent result for the right candidate.

Breast lift

If you have a higher degree of “droop” (ptosis), you may be recommended for a breast lift. If a large amount of breast tissue is situated below the fold of the breast, some of the stretched-out skin will need to be surgically removed to tighten and lift the breast up to its original position. If you like your size when wearing a push-up bra, the lift offers an excellent cosmetic option. Although recovery is a little longer, and the incisions more extensive, these usually become less prominent over a six-to-12-month period.  If you decide more volume is needed after breast lift surgery, a breast implant can be considered once the lift incisions have fully healed.

Breast lift with implants - (combined surgery or two-stage surgery)

If you’re unhappy with your size in a push-up bra and want an increase in one or more cup size, a solution might be a combined surgery (breast lift with implants) or a two–stage surgery (breast lift followed by augmentation three months later). A patient who only wants a small increase might be more apt to select the two-stage surgery as she may be satisfied with the results of the breast lift and decide the implant is no longer needed. Typically, the surgeon will recommend one procedure over the other based on the patient.

Want to learn more? Request a consultation today.

This blog was medically reviewed by a MercyOne plastic surgery provider.