saggy breasts

5 Causes of Saggy Breasts, And What Can You Do To Restore Their Youthful Look

If your breasts look less fuller than they were, you might be suffering from breast ptosis or sagging breasts.

Here are other common symptoms:

  • Breasts sitting lower on the chest
  • Nipples pointing downwards
  • The top of the breast doesn’t look full
  • Breast mass concentrated on the lower part of the breast area

So, what could be the causes, and how can you treat sagging breasts?

Common Causes of Breast Sagging

In a study published back in 2016, doctors observed 125 females seeking consultation for mastectomy and breast augmentation surgery. They found a few culprits on why breast sagging occurs.

Age

Doctors found that breast tissue elasticity wears down as women age, causing the skin to look droopy and therefore losing its capacity to support the breasts.

The natural decline of the female reproductive hormone estrogen is another factor for sagging breasts. Reduced estrogen also causes the skin and connective tissues to become less hydrated, losing their elasticity.

Fluctuating BMI

Weight changes can impact the flexibility of the breast tissue and the amount of breast tissue itself.

Additional studies from the Annals of Plastic Surgery also pinpointed the same factor. Significant weight loss in women of around 50 pounds or 22.6 kilograms causes breast ptosis and increases BMI.

Number of pregnancies

Although the history of breastfeeding does not count as a factor for sagging breasts, the same study from the Annals of Plastic Surgery found that 85% of patients with at least one pregnancy reported changes in breast shape postpartum.

35% of these women reported a reduction in breast size, while 30% reported an increase.

Larger bra cup size

Women with larger busts automatically have a heavier mass of breast tissue, which causes their breast skin to sag, losing its ability to hold breast tissues higher.

Menopause

Fatty flaps of tissue then replace dense breast tissues as you age.

When you reach about ages 45 and 55 and haven’t had a period for 12 consecutive months, the menopause stage has officially occurred.

The declining production of estrogen and progesterone could be blamed for losing breast skin elasticity, therefore causing sagging breasts. 

Here are other factors that can contribute to women developing sagging breasts:

  • Gravity
  • Weight of the breast mass
  • Hormonal changes/ imbalance
  • Weight gain/ weight loss
  • Caffeine intake
  • Smoking
  • Heredity
  • Lack of upper body exercise

Although sagging breasts seem like a normal part of aging, many women complain about their struggles.  

Sagging breasts can cause difficulties finding the right fit for their body frame, and sagging breasts can also show through clothing if you are not wearing the right bra size or bra type. 

If you think you are experiencing tell-tale signs of breasts sagging, read this article on how you could get your breasts looking fuller and more contoured. 

Types of Sagging Breasts

Degrees of breast ptosis

The position of the nipples measures the severity of sagging breasts with regard to the fold of the breast.

Normal- Nipples sit above the line of the breast fold.

First-degree Ptosis- Breast nipples sit evenly within the fold.

Second-degree Ptosis- Nipple is below the breast fold.

Third-degree Ptosis- Nipple is pointing downwards.

There is no diagnosis on how causes affect the type of sagging breasts. However, breast ptosis is treatable.

How To Improve Sagging Breasts

Saggy breasts can cause a lack of confidence in women.

Picking the right bra size, structure, and bra type may not be enough to give the breasts the support and shape it needs to look perkier and volumized.

Plastic surgery helps improve the symptoms of breast sagging and improve the appearance of the breasts. 

Here are some of them:

Surgery

Plastic surgeons will classify the level of breast sagging with the Regnault classification or other systems to prescribe how best to treat breast ptosis.

Classifications determine the type of breast sagging based on the position of the nipple to measure the extent of breast ptosis.

Depending on the results, your surgeon may recommend different surgeries to improve the sagging breasts’ appearance and overall feel.

Breast lift

Breast surgery, also called mastopexy, raises the breasts by eliminating excess, sagging skin.

Breast lifts also improve the breast contour and shape to make it look fuller and perkier.

Since breast lifts do not include adding breast volume with the use of implants, breast lifts do not change the size of breasts. 

Women with larger, sagging breasts may be required to get breast reduction surgery.

Breast augmentation

To reduce the appearance of the sagging breasts, surgeons might suggest breast augmentation. 

But, first, surgeons will classify the type of breast sagging, and depending on the results, a patient may require augmentation and breast lift procedures. 

Your surgeon will examine your type of ptosis and may suggest breast augmentation if the nipple is situated 2 centimeters above the patient’s inframammary crease.

Your inframammary crease is where your underboob (the base of your breast mass) and the bottom of your chest intersects. If your nipples hang lower than this point, your surgeon may require you to have a breast augmentation together with a breast lift. 

Why Choose Dr. Godat to Solve Your Sagging Breast Issues?

Being a renowned plastic surgeon for 25 years, Dr. Godat has been in the space helping individuals fall in love with themselves through self-expression. 

Dr. Godat is one of the only five Texas surgeons to offer internal bra surgery, giving patients lasting breast lift results versus traditional methods.

With his specialty in plastic surgery, breast augmentation, and reconstruction, Dr. Godat’s wide breadth of experience helping patients resolve sagging breasts makes him one of the most-sought surgeons in the field.

He takes the time to give you all the information you need to support realistic expectations about your desired surgical procedure.

If you’re looking for a plastic and reconstructive surgeon that gives you an unforgettable, captivating experience of falling in love with yourself all over again, book a time with Dr. Godat to reward yourself with the purest form of self-love. 

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