Four Frequently Asked Questions About Breast Volume
Posted March 28, 2023
How can rapid weight loss affect breast volume?
Breast volume consists of varying ratios of breast tissue and adipose (fatty) tissue. Weight loss will only affect the fatty tissue component of the breast. So, if the breast has minimal fatty tissue, then the volume will not change much. On the contrary, breasts with significant fatty tissue will show a larger change in volume. Also, the speed in which the weight is lost has little bearing on how much excess skin develops.
What can someone do to re-volumize breasts?
Dr. Antimarino feels the best option to add volume to the breasts would be to use breast implants. The surgical technique used is well established, the results are predictable, and the procedure is done in a single stage. Fat grafting is also an option for some patients but usually requires more than a one-stage procedure, and each procedure may be spaced several months apart. Results would depend upon the amount of fat that survives the transfer.
Is it long-term or temporary?
Silicone implants will last, on average, approximately 30 yrs. Saline implants last approximately 15 yrs. Fat grafting should be a long-term result but is also very susceptible to the effects of weight gain and loss, whereas implant surgery is not affected by fluctuations in weight.
What if you have implants already, and your breasts still feel saggy or deflated?
If you already have breast implants but feel like you want more volume, speak to your surgeon or a board-certified plastic surgeon about your options. These may include a different style of implant, different volume of the implant, or even a form of mastopexy (breast lift) to reposition the breast tissue. One of the most common misunderstandings about breast position is that a plastic surgeon can move the breasts higher on the chest wall than they are anatomically. The position of the breasts on the chest wall varies from person to person. In a mastopexy procedure, the breasts can only be lifted to a position just above the natural inframammary crease. If that crease is naturally low on the chest wall, then the breasts will also be lower than that of a woman with a naturally higher crease. Cleavage is another area that is often misunderstood. An augmentation can improve the distance between the breasts to a point, creating the appearance of fullness, but will not be able to fully correct breasts that have a naturally large gap.
