What causes Sagging Breasts – Causes and Surgery for Breast Ptosis

22 Mar What causes Sagging Breasts – Causes and Surgery for Breast Ptosis

Breast Sagginess Causes and Treatment Options

Breasts are subject to gravity’s unrelenting pull over time. As women age or experience significant weight fluctuations, their breast tissue can start to lose elasticity and firmness, causing the breasts to sag or droop. This common condition is called breast ptosis, and it affects most women at some point in their lives. In this blog post, we’ll explore the various causes of sagging breasts and how they can be corrected with surgery.

Based in Perth, Western Australia, Specialist Plastic Surgeon Dr Guy Watts, is a respected member of the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons and the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons. He performs different breast procedures on patients looking for aesthetic improvements.

Main Causes of Breast Sagging

The main causes of sagging breasts are:

1. Age: As a woman ages, her skin naturally loses elasticity, and the supporting structures of the breasts, such as ligaments, may weaken, causing the breasts to sag
2. Pregnancy and breastfeeding: During pregnancy and breastfeeding, the breasts undergo significant changes, which can cause the ligaments that support the breasts to stretch
3. Weight fluctuations: Significant weight gain or loss can cause the skin to stretch or contract
4. Genetics: Some women may be predisposed to developing sagging breasts due to genetic factors, such as skin elasticity and breast size
5. Smoking: Smoking can damage the skin’s elasticity and contribute to premature ageing, which can cause sagging breasts
6. Poor posture: Constantly slouching or hunching over can cause the breasts to droop over time

It’s worth noting that some of these factors may be out of our control, but there are still steps women can take to help prevent or slow down the process of breast sagging.

Myths about Sagging Breasts

There are many myths surrounding sagging breasts, and it’s important to separate fact from fiction. Here are some common myths about sagging breasts:

1. Exercise can fix sagging breasts

While exercise can strengthen the muscles underlying the breasts, it cannot fix sagging breasts. Sagging is primarily caused by the loss of skin elasticity and damage to the ligaments that support the breasts, which cannot be reversed with exercise alone.

2. Only older women experience sagging breasts

Breast sagging can occur at any age, and younger women can experience sagging due to weight fluctuations, genetics, or hormonal changes. At the same time, it is worth mentioning that breast sagginess can occur even in very young women due to the overly large size of the breasts.

3. There are natural remedies to correct sagging breasts

While there are things you can do to enhance the aspect of the breasts and try to prevent breast sagginess, there are no effective natural remedies that can treat breast ptosis. Wearing a well-fitting, supportive bra, maintaining a healthy weight, and practicing good posture can all help slow down the process of breast sagging, but all these won’t make your breasts perky if you are dealing with breast ptosis.

1. Breast Lift to Fix Sagging Breasts

Breast lift surgery, also known as mastopexy, is a surgical procedure that can help correct saggy breasts. During a breast lift, your surgeon removes excess skin and reshapes the breast tissue to improve the breast’s appearance and position.

The surgery is performed under general anaesthesia and involves making incisions on the breast to remove excess skin and reshape the underlying tissue. The length and placement of the incisions depend on the severity of breast sagging. After the surgery, the breasts are wrapped in bandages or a surgical bra, and patients are advised to avoid strenuous activities for several weeks.

It is important to note that breast lift surgery does not significantly change the size of the breasts. Women who desire an increase in breast volume may opt for breast augmentation in combination with a breast lift. On the other hand, women who want to reduce the size of their breasts may choose to have breast reduction surgery.

Like any surgery, breast lift surgery carries risks, including infection, bleeding, scarring, and changes in nipple sensation. Recovery time may also vary, and it is important to follow post-operative instructions carefully. Read our blog on Recovery after Breast Lift.

2. Breast Reduction for Saggy Breasts

Breast reduction surgery can be an effective way to correct sagging breasts. Sagging can occur due to excess breast weight. Breast reduction surgery removes excess breast tissue, fat, and skin to reduce breast size and lift the breasts to a higher position on the chest.

During a breast reduction surgery, your plastic surgeon will make incisions around the areola and down the breast, removing excess tissue to improve its appearance and contour. The size and placement of the incisions will depend on the degree of sagging and the volume of the breasts.

Breast reduction surgery can also have the added benefit of improving back, neck, and shoulder pain caused by the weight of large breasts, as well as improving posture.

3. Can Breast Augmentation Correct Breast Ptosis?

Breast augmentation alone is not an effective way to correct significant breast ptosis (sagging). Breast ptosis occurs due to a loss of skin elasticity and breast tissue volume, and breast augmentation involves increasing the size of the breast by inserting implants.

While breast augmentation can improve the appearance of mild breast sagging, it will not lift the breast to a higher position on the chest. In some cases, breast augmentation may even worsen the appearance of breast sagging if the added weight of the implants causes further stretching of the breast skin and tissue.

In cases of moderate to severe breast ptosis, a breast lift (mastopexy) is usually necessary to reposition the breast tissue and restore a more youthful breast contour. A breast lift can be performed alone or in combination with breast augmentation to both lift the breast and increase its size.

7 Recommendations to Prevent Sagging Breasts

While some factors that contribute to breast sagging, such as genetics and ageing, are beyond our control, there are several things you can do to help prevent or minimise breast sagging:

1. Wear a supportive bra: Wearing a properly fitting bra that provides adequate support can help reduce breast sagging by preventing the breast tissue from stretching and sagging over time. Make sure to choose a bra that fits well and provides enough support for your breast size and shape
2. Maintain a healthy weight: Significant weight gain or loss can cause breast tissue to stretch and sag. Maintaining a healthy weight through a balanced diet and regular exercise can help prevent or minimise breast sagging
3. Stay hydrated: Drinking enough water helps maintain skin elasticity, which can help prevent breast sagging
4. Avoid smoking: Smoking can cause skin to lose elasticity, which can contribute to breast ptosis
5. Exercise: Regular exercise can help tone the chest muscles and improve overall breast shape and firmness
6. Protect your skin from the sun: Sun damage can cause the skin to lose elasticity, which can contribute to breast sagging. Use sunscreen when exposed to the sun and wear protective clothing to minimise sun exposure
7. Consider breastfeeding techniques: Prolonged breastfeeding can cause breast sagging, but using proper breastfeeding techniques, such as supporting the breast during feeding, can help minimise the effect

It’s important to keep in mind that some degree of breast sagging is a natural part of the ageing process, and everyone’s body is unique.

FAQs about Sagging Breasts and Surgery for Breast Ptosis

Can saggy breasts be firm again?

• While it may not be possible to completely restore saggy breasts to their original firmness, there are ways to improve their appearance and make them look firmer. Regular exercise, particularly strength training, can help tone and strengthen the chest muscles, which can improve the overall appearance and firmness of the breasts. Maintaining a healthy weight through a balanced diet and regular exercise can also help prevent or minimise breast sagging by reducing the strain on the breast tissue. Additionally, wearing a properly fitting bra that provides adequate support can help prevent further sagging and improve the appearance of the breasts. Breast lift surgery is the only effective method to get perky breasts again and long-lasting results. Breast lift is the surgery performed to elevate the breasts. However, a breast augmentation with implants can correct a mild breast ptosis. At the same time, breast reduction can correct sagging breasts and help avoid an ulterior breast ptosis if your breasts are overly large.

When do breasts start to sag?

• Breasts can start to sag at different times for different women, but it generally occurs as a natural part of the ageing process. Breast sagging, also known as breast ptosis, occurs when the ligaments and skin that support the breasts lose their elasticity and strength over time. This can cause the breasts to droop or sag. Some factors that may contribute to breast sagging include the natural ageing process, pregnancy and weight fluctuations. Depending on the volume of the breasts, they can drop earlier or later in life. Most women with overly large breasts are often confronted with the early onset of breast ptosis.

How can I fix my sagging breasts naturally?

• It is not really possible to correct sagging breasts naturally. However, there are some steps you can take to help improve their appearance. Regular exercise, keeping a healthy weight, a good posture and massaging the breasts with natural oils can help improve the overall appearance.

What is the main cause of saggy breasts?

• The main cause of saggy breasts is the natural ageing process. As women age, their skin loses elasticity and the ligaments that support the breasts can weaken, causing them to sag. However, there are other factors that can contribute to breast sagging, including weight gain, menopause, pregnancy, smoking and genetics.

Further Reading about Breast Surgery with Dr  Guy Watts Perth Plastic Surgeon

• Read Dr Watts’ Breast Augmentation Surgery Page
• Read Dr Watts’ Breast Reduction Surgery Page
• Read Dr Watts’ Breast Lift Surgery Page
• See Dr Watts’ Breast Implants Gallery
• Read Dr Watts’ blog about Surgical Solutions to Get Firmer Breasts
• Read Dr Watts’ blog about Types of Breast Implant Incisions
• Read Dr Watts’ blog about Recovery after Breast Lift

Medical References about Breast Ptosis

• What to Know About Sagging Breasts – WebMD
• Common Breast Problems After Breastfeeding – WebMD
• Breast-feeding isn’t such a drag on breasts – NBC News
• Saggy breasts: Causes and solutions – Medical News Today
• How Menopause Affects Your Breasts – WebMD