Losing weight is a major goal for people, especially around this time of year. Who hasn’t made a new year’s resolution to get back to the gym or to shed a few pounds? If you are successful, that is fabulous! But, unfortunately sometimes the weight comes off of areas you didn’t want to get smaller… specifically, the breasts! The breast is made up of a combination of fatty tissue and glandular tissue and with weight loss, the fatty component shrinks making the skin loose. Depending on the elasticity of your skin and the amount of shrinkage of tissue that happens, a simple implant may reverse the damage. But, if the skin is loose and the nipple is in too low of a position, then a lift may be necessary. It does not work to just put a larger implant in when the skin is lax… the heavier implant will make the breast sag even worse!
Every situation is a little different, but as a rule of thumb, if the nipple is at or above the fold or the breast an implant may be all you need. If the nipple is below the fold or the distance from the nipple to the fold of the breast is greater than 5cm, then it is much more likely you need a lift. The best advice is to be evaluated by a board certified plastic surgeon who is experienced in breast augmentation and lifts, who can guide you to the right treatment to meet your aesthetic goals.