What are Deflated Breasts?

Deflated or flat breasts is a condition that causes loss of upper pole fullness and a change in shape to the breasts.

Breast deflation can affect patients regardless of natural breast size and shape, and there are many reasons the breasts can become deflated, such as ageing, weight loss, and pregnancy and breastfeeding.

It can have a significant impact on an individual’s confidence and quality of life, including:

• Affecting the fit and appearance of clothing
• Self-consciousness when wearing revealing clothing such as swimwear
• Loose skin causing physical discomfort, skin irritation and hygiene concerns
• Loss of confidence in intimate relationships

The wide-ranging effects of deflated breasts mean that it is a common concern that people wish to find an effective solution for.

If you are concerned about having deflated breasts, speaking with an experienced Consultant Breast Surgeon at Cadogan Clinic’s surgical centre of excellence will ensure your concerns are fully assessed, and a bespoke treatment plan can be put in place.

Deflated Breasts vs. Saggy Breasts

Although deflated breasts and saggy breasts may seem to be similar concerns, there are differences which may influence the best treatment for your concerns.

Whereas sagging breasts are typically caused by a loss of lower pole fullness in the breasts, deflated breasts are associated with volume being lost in the upper pole of the breasts (the upper section above the nipples).

Losing volume in the upper pole results in a flattened appearance to the breasts, rather than a droopy appearance.

Some individuals experience loss of volume in both the upper and lower poles of the breast, which may result in flat and sagging breasts.

What are the Symptoms of Deflated Breasts?

There are several symptoms which are associated with deflated breasts. As well as helping you to identify your specific concern, these are also the signs your surgeon will assess during your consultation to develop your treatment plan:

• Excess skin – Loose or stretched skin around the upper breast, chest and around the armpits
• Nipple position – Nipples may be in a lower or dropped position
• Flattened appearance – The projection of the breasts may result in a flat and deflated appearance
• Movement – Loss of upper pole fullness may cause the breasts to move more freely, causing discomfort
• Discomfort – Loose skin and excess movement can cause the breasts to feel uncomfortable, limiting mobility and exercise

The severity of these signs and symptoms can vary depending on the cause and how long they have been present.

What Causes Deflated Breasts?

There are several causes which may result in breast deflation and loss of upper pole fullness. Most patients who are experiencing deflated breasts will be aware of the cause; however, in some cases, the reason may not be immediately apparent.

By discussing your concerns with a specialist Breast Surgeon, they can establish the exact cause of your deflated or flat breasts.

Ageing

As we age, there is a natural breakdown in certain parts of the breast tissue:

• Collagen and elastin – Proteins which maintain the strength of the skin
• Fat pads – Fat which provides structure and volume to the breasts

A combination of naturally weakened skin and fat loss causes the upper pole of the breasts to deflate and flatten.

Hormonal fluctuations during menopause can also exacerbate these concerns, and the natural drop in oestrogen over time also causes the tissue and structure of the breasts to lose their integrity.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Pregnancy and breastfeeding are two of the most common causes of deflated breasts.

During pregnancy, the breasts begin to produce and fill with milk. This causes the breasts to swell and stretch. During breastfeeding, milk is expressed from the breasts before they are refilled. 

This repeated process, often over a number of months, causes the skin to stretch and weaken, causing volume in the upper pole to be lost.

Additionally, the hormone relaxin, which is produced during and after pregnancy, causes the muscles and ligaments found at the back of the breasts to loosen, also resulting in breast deflation.

Weight Loss

Both dramatic weight loss and repeated fluctuations in weight can cause the breasts to become deflated and flat.

As fat is lost during weight loss, the skin may not return to its previous position, resulting in a stretched and loose appearance. Given that the exact locations of weight loss cannot be predetermined, this may disproportionately affect the upper poles and surrounding areas compared to the rest of the breasts, leading to loss of upper pole fullness and deflated breasts.

Over time, small but repeated fluctuations in weight can also have a similar effect, as the skin is stretched with weight gain and contracted with weight loss. Because the skin cannot tolerate repeated stretching and retraction, it becomes loose.

How to Fix Deflated Breasts?

The best treatment for deflated breasts depends on an individual’s personal concerns and their desired results.

Surgical procedures are the safest and most effective option to address deflated breasts.

Breast Augmentation

Also known as Breast Enlargement, Breast Augmentation involves inserting breast implants into the breasts to increase volume and enhance shape.

During a Breast Augmentation, a small incision is made along the lower fold beneath the breast before a suitable implant is placed in the breast cavity.

Breast implants for deflated breasts are available in a wide range of shapes and sizes depending on the patient’s preferences. Your surgeon will recommend the best breast implants to achieve your desired outcomes.

Round breast implants are usually recommended to restore upper pole fullness as they give a balanced shape across the whole of the breast.

Breast Augmentation is performed under general anaesthetic and usually takes up to 2 hours to complete.

Breast Lift

Also known as a Mastopexy, a Breast Lift removes loose and excess skin and repositions the breast to a higher position on the chest.

To treat deflated breasts, excess skin is removed from the upper pole of the breasts, and the breast tissue and nipples are moved into the desired position. This results in uplifted and perky breasts, without dramatically changing their size.

For patients who are also concerned about the size of their breasts, a Breast Lift can be combined with Breast Augmentation in a procedure known as an Augmented Mastopexy.

Depending on the extent of the procedure, Mastopexy takes 2-3 hours to complete and is performed under general anaesthetic.

Fat Transfer to Breast

Fat Transfer to Breast allows for very precise treatment of loss of volume and deflated breasts.

Excess fat is removed from various areas of the body, such as the abdomen, waist, hips and thighs, using Liposuction. The fat is then processed and purified before being injected into the breasts.

For patients who wish to address deflated breasts, fat can be precisely injected into the upper poles to carefully target the exact area of concern. However, Fat Transfer to Breast does achieve a more subtle result than other procedures meaning it may not be suitable to address more severe concerns.

Fat Transfer to Breast is carried out under general anaesthetic, and takes around 2 hours to complete.

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