Many breast augmentation patients wonder what they can do to maintain the results of their surgery. One of the best things patients can do is to lead a healthy lifestyle and avoid major weight gain or weight loss. Losing a significant amount of weight could have an impact on the appearance and feel of your breast implants.
Dr. John R. Griffin would like to consider the ways that weight loss can affect breast augmentation results. If you have noticed changes to your breast implants after weight changes, our San Mateo, CA plastic surgery center can help.
Weight Changes and Your Skin
When you gain and lose weight, your skin will respond by stretching to accommodate extra weight and shrinking back to adjust to the loss of weight. Over time, this can have a negative impact on the elasticity of your skin.
When major weight gain or weight loss occurs, the impact on skin elasticity is even greater. Since skin can only stretch out so far, that means that stretch marks and other cosmetic flaws are more likely.
Will Weight Loss Affect the Breast Implants Themselves?
If you have breast implants, weight loss will not impact the implants themselves. In fact, many women wind up losing or gaining a little bit of weight after getting breast implants, and they experience no changes regarding the look or feel of their breast implants.
Weight Loss and Breast Augmentation Results
While breast implants are not affected by weight loss, the breasts themselves may undergo some changes. Weight loss can potentially affect the fatty tissue of the breasts, which can lead to changes in breast appearance. That said, breast size may not be affected at all by weight loss in small amounts.
How Much Weight Loss Will Impact Implant Appearance?
This can vary from patient to patient since the impact of the weight loss really depends on what a patient’s starting weight was, the original breast size, and the body fat percentage. Generally, most women of normal stature can lose around 10 to 15 pounds without seeing a significant change in the appearance of their breasts.
If a woman loses more than 20 pounds, the fatty tissue of the breasts may be impacted, resulting in changes to the appearance of the breasts as well as their firmness and texture.
Will I Need Implant Revision Surgery?
Most women who lose weight after breast augmentation surgery will not need any revision or correction of the initial procedure. Following substantial weight loss, a revision surgery may be recommended depending on the patient’s situation.
If you notice changes in the appearance of your breasts or the feel of your breast implants, be sure to consult your plastic surgeon on the best options for treatment.
Tips for Maintaining a Consistent Weight
If you want to maintain the results of your breast enlargement procedure, you’ll want to avoid major weight fluctuations. Consider these tips to help keep your weight consistent:
- Eat a healthy diet rich in vegetables, fruits, lean protein, and whole grains
- Exercise regularly, focusing on flexibility, strength, and cardio
- Avoid processed foods and junk food
- Hydrate with water rather than soft drinks or fruit juice
- Reduce consumption of alcohol to minimize empty calories
- Avoid crash diets and fasting for weight loss
Contact Dr. John R. Griffin
For more information about breast augmentation surgery and how you can maintain the results of the procedure for years to come, be sure to contact our plastic surgery center. We will work with you and help you get the answers you need to look your best.
