Postpartum Breast Involution

Breasts virtually always change to some unpredictable degree after childbirth whether you breast feed or not or how much. The breast milk glands fill and stretch the breast tissue and skin. If your breasts have a lot of glands in proportion to the fat, they stretch a lot. If you breast feed a lot or a long time, then they stretch a lot. The typical features of the breast after this is stretched and relaxed, and occasionally, sagging to some degree. All of these features of the breast after childbirth and after breast feeding can be improved. They can often be improved with very predictable and artistic surgical procedures. These range from placing implants alone, to doing lifting procedures with incisions, to doing lifting and implant placement procedures in combination. The choice depends on your anatomy and expectations. The results are beautiful, artistic, and will not be undone if you have more children.

THE TYPICAL PATIENT

• Notice a difference between your breast shape and size from before and after childbirth and especially breast-feeding.
• Desire for a more youthful and natural fuller appearance to the breast.
• This condition is seen after childbirth and especially breast-feeding, regardless of how much, how long, or how many children.
• Focusing on sagging, deflated breasts that have lost perkiness and size.
• There may be breast sagging or small size, or both. There may be different treatments for each.
• Features of stretch marks may be present as well as drooping, sagging, loss of volume and flatness.
• Also related to having lost weight, hormonal changes, the aging or maturing process.

THE PROCEDURE

• The procedure, most of the time, involves the basics of breast augmentation if you have just smaller, deflated breasts. Please view this link.
• If you have moderate to severe sagging and are looking to achieve fullness, then you will need a breast augmentation with lift.
• Anesthesia is usually a very light general and the procedure takes about two hours.
• The incision is in a very inconspicuous location for a variable length. It may be present around your areola or in the crease of your breast, or in your armpit.
• Drains are usually not necessary.
• Dressings and a light bra are used for several days.
• This can be combined with other plastic surgical procedures.

THE RECOVERY

• You can go home after several hours or can stay overnight.
• You can shower on the second day after surgery.
• There is only minimal pain that is mostly gone by the second or third day and easily controlled by medications.
• Swelling is mild to moderate and peaks at two to three days then disappears rapidly over the next three weeks.
• Minimal or no bruising is the usual.
• Minimal or no grogginess is present, but if you do have some, it is gone in a few days or a week.
• You can resume many activities within the first week, and most by at least three weeks.
• The stitches are usually dissolvable, but if present are removed at seven days.
• Expect to be off of work for only three to seven days.

THE RESULT

• An immediate and very satisfying and beautiful improvement in a feature that has bothered you.
• Attractive, balanced and proportioned balance and contour in your chest and body.
• More confident and comfortable in clothing.
• Lasts the rest of your life and always looks better than if you didn't do it.
• Natural and presentable appearance in the first week that just gets better over the next three to six months.

For before and after images of this procedure click here

Please call or contact the office for any further information or to schedule an appointment.