Written by Christine G. Adamo
Breast Sag: Too Young to Worry?
Ask any young woman about
breast implants and she’s likely to respond: “I’ve thought about it”. Yet, ask her about breast sag or
breast lift surgery and she’s likely to respond: “Me? I’m too young for that!”
Whether you’re 20, 30 or 40, you may simply think premature breast sag isn’t something you need to worry about. But, think again. You exercise to keep your body fit. You pay close attention to your diet. You may even know someone who’s had a breast lift. Why would you ignore one the area of your body that’s nearest and dearest to your heart?
Yes, we mean your breasts. If you’re concerned about breast sag, want to know why you should be or are intrigued by
breast lift before and after photos, this article is for you – and those beautiful “girls” which give you curves and stand up proudly as a sign of your femininity.
Breast Sag Causes
Preventing or finding a solution to breast sag can help you:
- Feel More Feminine
- Preserve Your Curves
- Boost Your Self Confidence
- Maintain a Sexy, Youthful Appearance
Medically termed
ptosis, not all women are necessarily affected by clinical sagging of the breasts. In fact, a variety of factors contribute to the onset and extent of breast sag (see “When to Consider a Breast Lift…” below). They include:
- Age – Breasts sag as we age
- Pregnancy – This includes breast feeding
- Genetics – Which also contribute to breast size
- Lifestyle & Habits – Including weight gain &/or loss
How You Can Prevent Breast Sag
No one can stop the aging process, regain their pre-pregnancy body or change their genetic make up. But, there are some things you can do to beat breast sag before it sets in. Want to know what they are?
- Moisturize Your Breasts
- Lose or Gain Weight Slowly
- Exercise Your Chest Muscles
- Wear the Right Bra for Your Body Type
Moisturize Your Breasts – Skin that’s hydrated bounces back better and is more elastic. No, we don’t suggest you stock up on expensive creams which claim to enhance the shape or size of your breasts. But, we do suggest that you invest a little time and money making your skin more soft and supple.
Lose or Gain Weight Slowly – Pre-pregnancy, post-pregnancy or otherwise, closely monitoring weight gain and loss is good for your breasts and your health. Avoid high and/or empty calorie foods. If you gain weight quickly and/or lose it quickly, your breasts won’t have time to adjust, your skin will stretch and your breasts will begin to sag.
Exercise Your Chest Muscles – The muscles which support your breasts are located across the chest and along the back. Use weight-bearing exercises to give breast tissue a boost of support, keep things looking “up” and improve the appearance of your bust line. Don’t have a gym membership? A few sets of push-ups will do wonders!
Wear the Right Bra for Your Body Type – Small, medium or large breasts always benefit from good support. They also look better under clothing when bras fit properly. If you love high-impact exercise (like jogging or aerobics), wear a compression bra. Better yet, if you have larger breasts, wear encapsulation bras which support breasts individually.
The Extent of Breast Sag
Not all breast sag is created equal…
If your breasts have begun to sag, breast lift may be an option but there may be more than one solution to the problem. A board-certified plastic surgeon can help you determine the extent of your ptosis and choose a corrective procedure that’s right for you.
The following terms are typically used to categorize breast sag:
- Ptosis
- Empty Sac Syndrome
- Pseudoptosis
Ptosis – When considering breast sag, your
plastic surgeon will measure the position of your nipple and areola as they relate to the breast crease. When these are out of alignment, the diagnosis is ptosis. There are (3) grades of ptosis:
- Mild (Grade I) – nipples aligned with the breast crease
- Moderate (Grade II) – nipples fall below the breast crease
- Advanced (Grade III) – nipples fall below the breast crease & point outward or downward toward the floor
Empty Sac Syndrome – When breasts lose their fullness or roundness of shape due to age, heredity, breast feeding or other factors “empty sac syndrome” is often the diagnosis. Since the nipple will likely still be in proper alignment, a breast lift shouldn’t be necessary. Breast implants or
breast augmentation alone may correct this problem.
Pseudoptosis – This is also a situation in which breasts have lost their fullness, but usually only above the nipple line. The bottom of your breasts may still appear full or round. In this case, a breast lift isn’t likely; breast augmentation with breast implants should be able to give you the fuller profile you’re looking for.
When to Consider a Breast Lift to Correct Breast Sag
One of the ways breast sag can be addressed is through a
mastopexy or breast lift. During breast lift surgery, plastic surgeons firm up breasts by removing excess (or stretched) skin, tighten up existing breast tissue and raise the nipple and areola.
When properly performed a breast lift can correct a variety of problems, including:
- Elongated Breasts
- Low Lying or Downward Pointing Nipples
- Imbalanced Breasts (One Higher/One Lower)
- Breast Sag, Loss of Shape &/or Loss of Volume
In women with significant ptosis, breast lifts are usually performed alongside breast augmentation. In some cases, breast augmentation with breast implants is all that’s needed. The only way to know what’s right for you is in consultation with a professional.
Be sure your plastic surgeon is board-certified and can answer all of your questions, even those related to breast lift cost. Ask to see breast augmentation, breast implant and breast lift before and after photos, too.