Plastic Surgery Articles

Sagging Breasts Not Due to Breast Feeding: Contrary to Popular Belief

December 8th, 2008 -

Sagging breasts, also known as breast ptosis, have long been associated with child birth and breast feeding. However, the results of a study led by Brian Rinker, MD published in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal recently identified the precise reasons for breast droopiness or breast sagging. Interestingly enough, breast feeding was not identified as a factor in the development of sagging breasts. The study involved over 90 patients that had breast surgery between 1998 and 2006.

Breast shape did alter following pregnancy in over 50% of the study participants. Yet, the influence of lifestyle habits and age were determined responsible for breast sagging in the study participants. The components for evaluation in the study included: age, number of pregnancies, time duration of breastfeeding, pre-pregnancy breast size, body mass index, weight gain and loss, history of cigarette smoking and degree of pre surgery breast sagging. The results of the study were, as follows:

• Older Age women are more susceptible to breast sagging
• Overweight women and those with a high body mass index were more likely to have breast sagging
• Number of pregnancies has an impact on the appearance of sagging breasts.
• Women with a larger breast size prior to pregnancy were more likely to have breast sagging.
• Women that had or were currently smoking were at greater risk for breast sagging.

In the final analysis, women can have greater assurance that breast sagging will not result from breast feeding, regardless of the time duration in breast feeding. Of course, the risk of breast sagging increases from several other factors relating to pregnancy itself. However, there are recommendations that a gynecologist may make to help reduce the risk of breast sagging following pregnancy.

Source: www.aestheticsurgeryjournal.com

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