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What Causes Saggy Breasts?

Saggy boobs are a common concern for many women. While for some women saggy breasts are caused by genetics, they can also be caused by ageing, childbirth, breastfeeding or a dramatic weight change. It is very normal for breasts to sag with time, but many women find this concern causes a drop in confidence and leads to self-consciousness. Fortunately, sagging breasts can be treated.

The most effective solution for saggy breasts is with a Mastopexy or breast uplift. This is a surgical procedure, involving excess skin and tissue being removed, and the breasts repositioned into a more flattering and lifted position on the chest. This results in a perkier, more youthful appearance to the breasts.

Although most patients are aware of what has caused their boobs to sag, it can nevertheless have a negative effect on their confidence and self-esteem, impacting how they dress and the activities they feel comfortable taking part in - such as sport. Opting to have a Mastopexy will help to restore this confidence and make wearing tight or revealing clothing more comfortable.

Most patients who undergo Mastopexy surgery find that the results of this procedure are permanent and their breasts will remain in this more desirable position for many years.


Saggy Boobs Post Pregnancy

Many women find that their breasts will change position straight after pregnancy and during breastfeeding. Hormonal changes, as well as milk production, causes the breasts to increase in size during pregnancy. As your hormones readjust following pregnancy, the size will decrease again, but the skin and fibrous tissue within the breasts won’t be able to return to its original position, causing the breasts to sag.


A Word From Our Expert Breast Lift Surgeon Mr Will Sarakbi

Mr. Will Sarakbi

Mastopexy or breast uplift is one of the most common procedures that I perform nowadays. There has been it's been a definite increase in the number of patients looking to have breast uplift in the last few years.  

Patients of all ages come to my practice at Cadogan Clinic, but more often than not the intention is to reshape and remodel breasts that have begun to stretch, droop or sag, sometimes due to genetics but often after weight loss or pregnancy, or simply due to the passage of time.   

Common to all I think people are looking for a natural look and quite often looking to preserve the volume of their breasts but also achieve a more feminine and younger look.
Mr. Will Sarakbi

The Effects of Breastfeeding

Further to pregnancy causing sagging breasts, many women are concerned that they have saggy breasts after breastfeeding. As the breasts continually produce milk and are then emptied when the baby is fed, the skin is stretched, and the breast tissue is broken down, leading to laxity. When you stop breastfeeding, the skin cannot naturally tighten, and the internal breast tissue cannot be restored, causing the breasts to sag and hang lower on the chest. The remaining volume in the breasts, may be focused in the lower parts of the breast, resulting in a disproportionate appearance, or making the breasts appear larger or smaller than they are.


Your Body Can Change with Weight Loss

One of the causes of sagging breasts is a dramatic decrease in weight and many women find their breasts sag after weight loss. As you lose weight, and the fatty tissue in the breasts reduces, the skin isn’t able to return to its original position, causing the breasts to change their shape and position. The breast tissue will end up being located in the bottom of the breasts, resulting in them hanging much lower on the chest. 


At What Age Do Breasts Start to Sag?

Breasts can begin to sag at any age, from puberty, when breasts first develop. In younger women, in their 20s, the usual cause is genetics. However, a woman of any age, who has had children, or who has lost a lot of weight may experience deflated boobs.

At Cadogan Clinic, the average age patients have Mastopexy is 40. This is usually once they have finished having children and the full effects of the surgery can be achieved. Our surgeons complete over 100 Mastopexy procedures a year and provide the highest quality surgical results and aftercare. 

When you speak to your surgeon about your suitability for Mastopexy, during your consultation, they will consider your age and whether you have had children and finished your family as factors in whether Mastopexy is the right surgical choice for you. Your surgeon may feel that you are too young for a Mastopexy, however they may offer other options which will also address your concerns.


Can Sagging Breasts Be Firm Again?

Yes, sagging breasts can be firm again following Mastopexy surgery.

Here at the Cadogan Clinic, our surgeons perform four different types of Breast Lift surgery.

A Crescent Lift is the least invasive form of Mastopexy. A crescent shaped piece of skin and tissue is removed from above the nipple. Your surgeon will then close this incision vertically, lifting the breast and improving the position of the nipple. The Crescent Lift is most suited to younger patients who have limited skin laxity.

The Benelli Lift, also known as a Circumareolar Lift, is used to treat slight nipple asymmetry and provide a mild breast lift. A doughnut-shaped incision is made around the nipple to remove excess breast tissue and the skin is pulled inwards to tighten and lift the breast. Again, this approach is best suited to women who only require a slight lift.

A Lollipop Lift, or Vertical Scar Mastopexy, involves a lollipop-shaped incision made around the nipple, and downwards to the crease of the breast. The excess skin is then removed from the bottom of the breasts and the skin is tightened around the nipple. This method is very effective for many women with low hanging breasts, however it is important to discuss the potential risk of scarring with your surgeon.

An Anchor Lift is the most invasive option for Mastopexy and is used to treat significant sagging. A similar incision is made to the Lollipop Lift, but is extended horizontally along the breast crease, forming an anchor shape. Excess skin and tissue is removed from the bottom of the breast before the incisions are closed, and the breast is repositioned on the chest. This is very effective for women with a long inframammary fold - the distance from breast crease to nipple.

To find out which treatment would be best for you, please get in touch with our experts here at the Cadogan Clinic.

Are Different Size Breasts More Prone to Sagging?

All size breasts can experience problems with sagging, however typically the larger your breasts the more prone they will be to sagging due to the extra weight. Small breasts can still sag due to changes in weight, pregnancy or breastfeeding. Small, droopy breasts are less likely to need an invasive Mastopexy procedure to remedy any concerns. Larger breasts which have been affected by sagging may show as longer, as the majority of the breast tissue becomes focused at the bottom of the breasts. Larger breasts may need a more invasive procedure to address concerns around sagging as there may be more excess skin and tissue to remove. 


How Can I Prevent Saggy Breasts?

While ageing is a natural part of life and your breasts are likely to sag a little with time, there are a few lifestyle changes you can make to stop your boobs from sagging. These changes will have a positive effect on all areas of your body, leading to a more youthful look overall.

  • Eat a balanced and nutritious diet that is rich in antioxidants, as this is beneficial for the skin. Fruits and vegetables are a great source of antioxidants. Drinking plenty of water will also help to hydrate the skin, and preserve its elasticity.
    Avoid smoking. Tobacco has been proven to break down collagen in the skin, resulting in skin that appears less full and more droopy. This also applies to the skin on your breasts, which rely on collagen to keep their youthful, perky shape.
  • Avoid sun exposure and always use sunscreen. UV rays from the sun can have a huge effect on your skin. Even if your breasts are covered and protected from the sun's rays, the surrounding exposed areas can suffer damage, and this skin also helps to support the weight of your breasts. Protecting the whole chest with sunscreen will help keep your breasts supported and lifted.
  • Keep a consistent weight. When you gain weight, your breasts increase in size, and when the weight is lost, the skin shrinks back to accommodate a smaller breast. Regularly gaining and losing weight causes the skin to lose some of its elasticity, meaning it has less ability to shrink back to its original shape. Maintaining a stable weight, will help with avoiding saggy breasts in the long term.

Can You Fix Saggy Breasts Without Surgery?

It is very difficult to fix saggy breasts without surgery.

Unfortunately breast tissue cannot return to its previous firmness without surgery. However certain exercises, such as push ups, swimming and bench press, can tone up the muscle behind the breasts, which can improve their overall appearance. However anyone who chooses to try these methods should bear in mind that these will not produce immediate results. The results may only be modest.

Eating a healthy diet, maintaining a healthy weight, quitting smoking, staying hydrated and maintaining good posture can also help. By taking better overall care of your body, you can improve skin elasticity and strength. This in turn helps minimise the risk of sagging.

Pectoral muscle workouts can tone the muscle behind the breasts, resulting in a natural lift if done often enough. However there is no way to fix breasts that have already sagged without surgical intervention.


Treatments mentioned in this article



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