Breasts After Childbirth and Breastfeeding: How They Are Affected and What Solutions Exist to Maintain the Desired Shape
It is also normal not to be entirely satisfied with their appearance after breastfeeding is complete and to want to regain your initial shape. In this article, we will discuss how pregnancy and breastfeeding can change the appearance of your breasts, as well as the solutions that can be used to correct aspects that bother you.
The Effects of Pregnancy and Breastfeeding on the Breasts
First of all, it should be mentioned that the changes that occur in the breasts are more related to pregnancy than to breastfeeding. Changes in their size or the color and size of the areolas and nipples appear gradually and are a sign that the body is preparing to feed the baby to come. These changes will persist after birth, especially if you choose to breastfeed.
How exactly your breasts will change after childbirth and breastfeeding depends on several factors, including your age and heredity, breast size before pregnancy, body mass index, and the number of previous pregnancies. Some women return to their previous shape and size; others, on the other hand, will retain the dimensions gained during pregnancy or, conversely, will find that their breasts are smaller than before.
There are also quite a few who find, with displeasure, that their breasts, once firm and beautiful, can now be compared to deflated balloons. Stretch marks or breast asymmetry (one breast is larger than the other) can also be among the less pleasant effects of childbirth and breastfeeding.[2][4]
How to Correct the Appearance of the Breasts
There are several solutions available to women who want their breasts to look like they did before they became pregnant and breastfed. We will now present some of the most popular among those who opt for plastic surgery procedures:
Breast Lift
One of the most frequently reported problems after childbirth and breastfeeding concerns sagging breasts. In such cases, the solution may be breast lift surgery, also known as mastopexy.
In short, it involves lifting and reshaping the breast tissue, removing excess skin, and repositioning the nipple and areola, if necessary. Depending on the appearance of the breasts and the desired results, breast implants can also be used or, conversely, their volume can be reduced.
Regardless of the type of breast lift chosen, the result will be the same: a higher and firmer bust.[5] Here you will find more information about what such a procedure involves, how to prepare for it, as well as the results it can offer you.
Breast Augmentation
Breast augmentation surgery is another very popular procedure and one you have certainly heard of. With the help of silicone or saline breast implants, the volume and shape of the breasts can be easily changed. The results will be more or less visible, depending on your wishes and the type of implants used.[1] More information on this topic, the stages of the intervention, as well as the risks associated with it, we have prepared here.
Breast Lipofilling
When it comes to breast augmentation, silicone or saline implants are not the only option. If you would prefer a less invasive way to enlarge your breasts, breast lipofilling may be exactly what you are looking for. In short, this procedure involves extracting your own fat from certain areas of your body and injecting it into your breasts. In practice, it offers a double benefit: it helps you get rid of unsightly fat on your abdomen, thighs, or other areas where it has accumulated and no longer wants to disappear, even though it has been many months since giving birth, and, at the same time, you will improve the appearance of your breasts.[1]
Breast Symmetry Surgery
After stopping breastfeeding, you may find that one breast is visibly larger than the other. Sometimes, this problem resolves itself over time. Other times, however, intervention is needed to make both breasts have the same shape, size, or position again. This may involve enlarging the smaller breast with breast implants, reducing the larger breast with a breast reduction, enlarging or reducing both breasts, or lifting one of them. Such an intervention is called breast symmetry surgery.[3]
When are such procedures indicated?
All these changes that occur in the breasts after childbirth and breastfeeding are more of an aesthetic nature. Although they can affect your physical appearance and cause some discomfort, they will not have a negative impact on your health. The decision to resort to such a procedure is yours alone.
If you are wondering how long after giving birth you can have surgery, it is recommended that this be done after stopping breastfeeding. It is preferable to wait at least 6 months after stopping lactation and to resort to such a procedure when you know that you no longer plan to have other children. However, this does not mean that you will not be able to breastfeed in the future if you have implants or have a breast lift.[5]
The appearance of the breasts can change drastically after childbirth and breastfeeding. It is natural that this does not satisfy you and that you want to correct their shape, size, or position. You can do this through one or more of the procedures mentioned above. For more information on this topic and to discover which solution is right for you, Dr. Olimpiu Hârceagă is waiting for you for a consultation.
Bibliography:
- Iteld, Lawrence, “Which Breast Surgery Is Right for You? Explaining Augmentations, Lifts and Reductions”, American Society of Plastic Surgeons, 13 Sept. 2019. Accessed 15 Feb. 2023.
- Major, Mandy. “Perky to Pancakes: Your Boobs from Pregnancy to Postpartum and Beyond” Healthline Media, 26 July 2019. Accessed 15 Feb. 2023.
- MarielaCadence. “Breast Asymmetry Correction”. Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons, 23 Mar. 2020. Accessed 15 Feb. 2023.
- Rebecca Buffum Taylor. “Breast Problems after Breastfeeding.” WebMD, WebMD, 6 Aug. 2008. Accessed 15 Feb. 2023.
- Shahram Salemy, MD, FACS. “Better Breasts after Pregnancy and Breastfeeding.” American Society of Plastic Surgeons, American Society of Plastic Surgeons, 8 Feb. 2022. Accessed 15 Feb. 2023.
