5 Reasons Women Have Breast Surgery When They Are Done Breastfeeding

Full, perky breasts are a sign of youth and femininity. Moms often struggle with breast changes caused by pregnancy and breastfeeding and look to breast surgery to address their concerns. Breast augmentation, breast lift, and breast reduction are popular procedures that can restore an elevated and voluminous bust after breastfeeding.

Becoming a mother doesn’t mean you lose your sense of self and body confidence. August is National Breastfeeding Month, and our board-certified plastic surgeon shares the common reasons women choose breast surgery when they’re done growing their families.

1. Breastfeeding Changes the Breast Tissues

Breasts become denser during lactation, and when a woman stops nursing or pumping, the breasts may not look and feel the same. Many women experience loss of breast volume that causes the upper pole of the breast to appear concave or deflated. Breast augmentation with breast implants or fat transfer can restore fullness in the breasts.

2. Breastfeeding May Stretch Breast Skin

Some women with smaller breasts or an oversupply of breastmilk may experience skin stretching when their milk comes in and throughout their breastfeeding journey. The milk flow can expand the breast tissues, causing loose skin when a woman stops lactating, as well as stretch marks. The breasts may sag or droop, and nipples may appear stretched or more prominent. Breast lift can elevate the breast tissues on the chest wall, remove the loose skin, and reposition nipples. Breast lift is often combined with breast augmentation to achieve a fuller and perkier bust.

3. Breastfeeding May Leave You with Larger Breasts

The hormones and body changes associated with pregnancy, coupled with lactation, can cause women to develop larger breasts than before childbearing. Some women may have breasts that are significantly larger and cause painful or uncomfortable symptoms, such as back pain, poor posture, and skin chafing. Breast reduction removes the excess breast tissue for a more proportionate figure.

4. Mothers Desire Larger or Lifted Breasts

You don’t have to have significant breast changes after breastfeeding to have breast surgery. You may qualify for breast surgery whether nursing affected your breasts’ appearance or you were always unhappy with their shape or size. For women with milder concerns, breast augmentation with fat transfer can provide a modest size increase, and the donut breast lift technique can address mild to moderate breast sagging.

5. Women Wish to Restore Their Pre-Baby Figure

The breasts are not the only area to change after pregnancy and breastfeeding. Exercise and a healthy lifestyle can help you slim down to your pre-pregnancy weight, but you will likely still have stubborn areas of fat and loose skin from the body changes. Breast surgery is often combined with tummy tuck, liposuction, and other body procedures for a “mommy makeover.”

If you’re interested in breast surgery after breastfeeding, it’s best to wait at least six months after you stop lactating so the breasts have time to settle into their new shape.

Schedule a consultation with Dr. Stephen Miller by calling (702) 369-1001 to learn more about your breast surgery options. Our Las Vegas, Nevada, office serves patients throughout Nevada, including Summerlin and Henderson.