While the joys of pregnancy and childbirth are incomparable, the changes they bring to your body might leave you longing for a bit of rejuvenation, especially in the breast area. Dr Nerina Wilkinson provides a detailed walkthrough of the various breast surgery options available for those mothers who feel they’re in need of a lift, shift, or restoration.
As a female plastic surgeon, I often walk the post-pregnancy journey alongside my patients and I love seeing how their confidence is restored when they embrace their “new breasts”. Motherhood is amazing but it takes a physical (and mental) toll. So, if you’re considering enhancing or restoring the appearance of your breasts post-pregnancy, you’re certainly not alone.
Let’s explore the various options available to help you embrace your beauty and feel confident in your skin once again.
Understanding post-breastfeeding changes
Pregnancy and breastfeeding can lead to significant changes in the breasts. It’s typical for breasts to lose volume, firmness, and elasticity after nursing, often resulting in sagging or drooping. Additionally, changes in shape and symmetry may occur. These transformations, while natural, can dent your self-image and -confidence, prompting many women to seek out solutions to address these changes.
Surgical breast lift
After experiencing the wonders of pregnancy and breastfeeding, it’s common for breasts to lose their youthful perkiness and firmness. If sagging or drooping breasts are your specific concern, and you are satisfied with your breast volume, then a surgical breast lift (mastopexy) might be the solution. Some patients may even request a small reduction in the size of their breasts during the lifting procedure.
Mastopexy involves removing excess skin and tightening the surrounding tissue to lift and reshape your breasts, helping to restore their youthful appearance.
Techniques for breast lift surgery vary, but I almost exclusively use a short scar (lollipop) technique, which involves an incision that circles the areola and extends downward towards the crease beneath the breast. I then remove excess glandular tissue, fat, and skin, and move the nipple and areola into their new position. I then bring the skin from both sides of the breast down and around the areola, shaping the new contour of the breast. This procedure is like creating a tight “internal bra” of the breasts. If needed, liposuction is used to remove excess fat from the armpit area. The surgery usually takes two to three hours to complete.
Surgical breast augmentation
If you’re looking to enhance the size and shape of your breasts after pregnancy, surgical breast augmentation might be the answer. This procedure involves the placement of carefully selected breast implants to achieve your desired volume and symmetry. With a range of implant options available, you can customise your results to suit your preferences and goals.
Newer, ergonomic breast implants are used that feel natural and ergonomically move with the position of the body. Very round, “stuck-on” implants are no longer the trend.
Many of my patients are veering away from oversized implants in favour of more conservatively sized options that complement their body proportions. Additionally, hybrid breast augmentations have gained popularity for their ability to achieve subtle enhancement using a combination of a much smaller breast implant combined with fat grafting of the breasts. This approach delivers natural-looking results and offers the added benefit of body contouring in donor areas such as the thighs, abdomen, or buttocks.
The method of inserting and positioning your implant will depend on your anatomy and your surgeon’s recommendation. The incision will be located in the crease where the breast meets the chest, and every effort will be made to ensure that the resulting scars will be as inconspicuous as possible.
Working through the incision, the surgeon lifts your breast tissue and skin to create space for the implant, either directly behind the breast tissue or underneath your chest wall (pectoral) muscle. The implants are then centred beneath your nipples.
You’ll want to discuss the pros and cons of these alternatives with your surgeon before surgery, to make sure you fully understand the implications of the procedure they recommend for you.
Breast fat transfer procedures
For those seeking a more natural alternative to implants, and who do not want to see a dramatic increase in size, fat transfer procedures are an appealing option. By harvesting fat from areas of the body where you have excess, such as the abdomen or thighs, and injecting it into your breasts, you can increase volume and improve the contour. This method both enhances your breasts and contours other areas, providing comprehensive rejuvenation.
This procedure usually takes two to three hours, during which fat will be harvested from an area of the body with the fattiest deposits (like those mentioned above). A blunt, specially designed cannula is used to harvest the fat, which is then processed in a centrifuge to remove any excess fluid.
The fat is then carefully and precisely injected into the areas of the body that need it. Because not all the fat injected will survive the process, I personally overcorrect any deficiencies to compensate for the fat will be reabsorbed by the body. This can cause excessive swelling in the first 7 to 10 days, which then settles quickly.
It is important to remember that with fat transfer, most patients only need one procedure, but a second or even third session may be required at a later stage to maintain results.
Non-surgical breast skin rejuvenation
Perhaps you’re not quite ready to undergo surgery but still want to improve the appearance of your breasts. Non-surgical options such as Morpheus8 radiofrequency microneedling, ClearLift Nd:YAG laser treatments, and microneedling can help stimulate collagen production and tighten the skin for a smoother, more youthful appearance. While these methods may not provide as dramatic results as surgery, they can still offer noticeable improvements without the need for downtime.
Consultation and considerations
Before embarking on any cosmetic procedure, it’s crucial to consult with a plastic surgeon registered with APRASSA (Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons of Southern Africa) who specialises in breast enhancement. During your consultation, your surgeon will assess your individual needs and goals, discuss the available options, and recommend the most suitable approach for you. Factors such as recovery time, potential risks, and long-term maintenance will also be addressed to ensure you make an informed decision.
Conclusion
As you navigate the profound journey of motherhood, remember that prioritising self-care and well-being is not only acceptable but essential. Whether seeking to lift, enhance, or restore your breasts post-pregnancy, rest assured, there are solutions available to help you embrace your post-pregnancy beauty with pride.
By consulting with a qualified plastic surgeon and exploring the various procedures, you can find the perfect solution to enhance your confidence and feel beautiful in your skin once again.
MBChB FCS (Plast SA) Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon
Dr Nerina Wilkinson is an Aesthetic Plastic Surgeon with over 20 years of clinical experience. Recognised by her peers and industry experts as a facial specialist with surgical, skin science, and aesthetic experience, she occupies a unique position when it comes to holistic facial rejuvenation techniques. Her innovative treatments combine surgical and non-surgical modalities and are based on in-depth scientific knowledge and her experience.
She is also the founder and director of Dr Nerina Wilkinson + Associates. Her private Aesthetic Couture Clinic is based in the prestigious V&A Waterfront. Here, she has assembled a group of clinicians and skin care specialists, each of them experts in their field, to be able to deliver the highest standards of care and state-of-the-art, evidence-based procedures. She is an active researcher in the field and has pioneered industry-changing minimally invasive rejuvenation techniques such as the StemCell4DLift™, EyeLight360™, and Natural-Lift™.
Using her detailed knowledge and surgical experience, she trains medical staff in the latest aesthetic treatments and how to deliver them with optimal, yet safe results. Dr Nerina Wilkinson is frequently invited to present her work at Plastic Surgery Conferences, educational forums, and women’s events and has also been highly represented in the media throughout her career where her opinion on current matters in Plastic Surgery and Aesthetic medicine is often sought.
Memberships:
- Association of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons South Africa (APRASSA full member)
- International Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ISAPS full member)
- Fellow of the College of Surgeons South Africa (CMSA)
- AAMSSA (Aesthetic and Anti-Ageing Medicine Society of South Africa|). Active Board Member since 2012
- Dr Nerina Wilkinsonhttps://www.aestheticappointment.co.za/author/dr-nerina-wilkinson
- Dr Nerina Wilkinsonhttps://www.aestheticappointment.co.za/author/dr-nerina-wilkinson
- Dr Nerina Wilkinsonhttps://www.aestheticappointment.co.za/author/dr-nerina-wilkinson
- Dr Nerina Wilkinsonhttps://www.aestheticappointment.co.za/author/dr-nerina-wilkinson
