Post-Pregnancy Breast Changes: When to Consider a Breast Lift vs. Augmentation

Pregnancy causes many changes in your body, especially your breasts. Pregnancy and the natural changes that come with breastfeeding can stretch breast tissue and ligaments, sometimes leading to sagging or loss of volume afterward.

If you’re unhappy with post-pregnancy breast changes, Dr. Aisha Baron offers breast lifts and augmentations at Breast, Body, Beauty Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery in Atlanta, Georgia.

Dr. Baron is an experienced plastic and reconstructive surgeon who takes your goals and needs into account when recommending specific breast procedures.

Common post-pregnancy breast changes

After pregnancy, women often notice a significant change in their breasts. They not only change size and shape, but also function.

Women’s breasts typically enlarge due to milk production during and immediately after pregnancy. When you finish breastfeeding, your breasts may shrink back, but lose their size and shape from tissue and ligament stretching.

Breasts tend to sag and become less full after breastfeeding and pregnancy, leading many women to consider plastic surgery to regain symmetrical breast tissue.

What’s involved with a breast lift

A breast lift is an option for women who don’t need to add volume to their breasts. The procedure involves removing excess skin on the breasts and tightening the surrounding tissues to lift your breasts and nipples.

Breast lifts don’t automatically add volume, but they create the illusion of fuller breasts by positioning your nipples higher on your chest and lifting the underlying tissues, creating a fuller contour.

A breast lift is an option if your breasts are sagging or you have significant skin laxity after pregnancy, but don’t need the added volume of implants.

What’s involved with a breast augmentation

A breast augmentation is a procedure that involves restoring lost volume and shape after pregnancy. During a breast augmentation, we place implants (silicone or saline) under your chest muscle or breast tissue to give them a fuller, more symmetrical appearance.

A breast augmentation is a good choice for women with good skin elasticity, as the procedure doesn’t lift or reposition the breast tissue. The goal is to restore natural-looking breasts using implants to give more volume and enhance shape.

How do I choose?

Dr. Baron discusses your specific goals and needs before you choose a breast augmentation or lift. She gives you the information you need to make the best decision for your lifestyle and body.

Recovery is an important part of the decision, but both procedures generally involve similar timelines and postoperative instructions. The main difference is that an augmentation involves placing implants, while a lift uses your own tissues to restore sagging or nonelastic breast tissue.

If you have questions or want more information on breast lifts and augmentations, contact our team by phone or request an appointment on our website today.