Pregnancy is a life-changing experience for a woman and with it comes significant changes to a woman’s body, especially in the size and shape of the breasts. After pregnancy and breastfeeding, these changes that occurred leave lasting effects, often leaving the breasts looking significantly different than they did pre-pregnancy. These changes leave many women turning to breast rejuvenation after pregnancy in order to restore their pre-pregnancy appearance.
Breast Changes after Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Hormonal changes during pregnancy, as well as milk production for breastfeeding, can lead to a variety of changes when it comes to your breasts. You may experience significant changes in breast size and shape, stretch marks due to rapid breast growth, drooping or sagging breasts, stretched and darkened areolas, and uneven breast sizes and shapes.
Taking Time to Adjust
Hormonal changes during pregnancy and breastfeeding are what can alter the shape and appearance of the breasts. After delivery and ending breastfeeding, your hormones start to return back to normal. During this time, the breasts will likely go through different changes, often reducing in size and changing shape once again. If you are considering a breast rejuvenation procedure, it is important to wait at least 6 months after delivery or after stopping breastfeeding in order to give the body time to adjust. In addition, most surgeons recommend women wait until after completing their family as additional pregnancies can again alter the appearance of the breasts.
Breast Rejuvenation Options
When it comes to breast rejuvenation procedures, there are options depending on the concerns a woman wants to address. If the breasts remain larger than you want, or one is larger than the other, a breast reduction may be the procedure of choice in order to reduce the breast size and volume. Sagging or drooping breasts may benefit from a breast lift that can create firmer, perky breasts. If the breasts have lost volume or seem deflated, a breast augmentation with breast implants can increase volume and firmness.
Breast rejuvenation after pregnancy is a common choice many women make in order to help restore their pre-pregnancy appearance. If you are unhappy with your breasts after pregnancy or breastfeeding, the team at Columbia Aesthetic Plastic Surgery can help you determine which procedures will help you achieve your body contour goals.
Dr. Chang earned his medical degree from Columbia University after graduating magna cum laude from Yale, and then completed a combined general and plastic surgery residency at Stanford University Medical Center, where he served as chief resident. After becoming a board-certified plastic surgeon, he returned to his home state and established Columbia Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, one of the premier cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery practices between Washington, D.C. and Baltimore.
