Common Post-Pregnancy Changes in the Breasts

Many women have self-esteem and self-confidence issues after giving birth. Yes, you just gave birth to a beautiful child, and the experience is beautiful too, however, when you look in the mirror, you are not feeling so hot about yourself. For this reason, many women tend to consider some sort of plastic surgery at least once in their lifetime. Plastic surgery can be beneficial in certain situations, but usually, people get plastic surgery for their own personal benefit.

Meet Dr. Steinbrech

Dr. Douglas Steinbrech is a premier breast augmentation surgeon practicing in New York. He performs many cosmetic procedures that will help get your pre-baby body back and make you more comfortable and confident in your own skin again. Dr. Steinbrech was trained for eight years at New York University in General Surgery and Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. He has received several awards, including America’s Top Plastic Surgeon Award by Consumers Research Council of America.

Changes in the Breasts after pregnancy

When a woman is pregnant, there are tons of hormones that are produced in order to support the growing baby. These hormones cause the breasts to grow, in order to accommodate breast milk for the baby after he or she is born. During this time, the areola may grow as well, depending on the woman’s body. After the baby is born and breastfeeding begins, the breast will inflate with milk when it is time for a feeding and then deflate after the baby nurses all of the milk out of the breast. The process of breastfeeding takes a toll on the breasts, making them look deflated and uneven after the journey is completed. After a woman finishes nursing her child and the child is now on regular cow’s milk, her breasts may shrink back to their pre-pregnancy size or they could potentially stay the increased size from pregnancy.

Different Types of Plastic Surgery for the Breasts

Breast Reduction

After pregnancy, sometimes the woman will retain her increased breast size even after breastfeeding is completed. For a woman that had smaller breast before pregnancy, an increased breast size may cause her discomfort in the form of a back pain or even chest pain depending on the size of the breast. In such cases, a breast reduction would be a perfect plastic surgery solution. When Dr. Steinbrech performs a breast reduction, the patient will be put under general anesthesia and then the doctor make an incision under the breast and around the areola. Next, he will remove the excess breast tissue, any fatty tissues and excess skin. After everything is removed, then the doctor will reshape the breast giving it a new, smaller and lighter appearance. After the patient is stitched up, the patient must wear a supportive surgical bra for at least a month and any contact with the breast must be gentle for the next six weeks.

Breast Lifts

Usually after pregnancy, especially if the patient has been breastfeeding, the skin on the breasts will be saggy. The breasts also usually lose their firmness and are less perky. Many of these patients request breast lifts. Breast lifts do not drastically change the breast, but the lift changes where the breasts sit on your chest. Breast lifts can give the patient a more youthful feel. Breast lifts are usually performed in an outpatient surgical center, or sometimes even at a surgeon’s office. The patient is placed under general anesthesia, and the surgery usually takes an hour and a half to three and a half hours. During the procedure, Dr. Steinbrech will make an incision and remove any excess skin. Next, he reshapes the breast and places the areola in its new position, and then closes any incisions with stitches. After the surgery, the patient must wear a supportive surgical bra for up to a month. Usually stitches are removed after one to two weeks.

Breast Augmentation

After pregnancy, a woman’s breasts may shrink in size. Sometimes the breasts will be even smaller than their pre-pregnancy size, which leaves some women a little disappointed. In other cases, especially for women who breastfeed, the breasts were used so much nursing, and they were inflated with milk and deflated after feedings so often, that after the breastfeeding journey was completed, the breasts just shriveled up. Usually, women in these situations that consider plastic surgery are looking to get a breast augmentation, or as it is commonly known as, get a “boob job.” During this procedure, Dr. Steinbrech increases the size of the patient’s breasts by placing an implant underneath the breast skin. The implant makes the breasts look fuller and rounder.

Breast Augmentations are fully customizable. The patient can choose the type of implant that they would like, and the size of the implant as well. Saline and silicone implants are the two implant types for the patient to choose from. Silicone implants are implants made from a cohesive silicone made to feel and look more like a gel that mimics breast tissue. This type of implant is available in many sizes, however, these implants cannot be altered once they have been implanted. Saline implants also mimic the same feel of the silicone implants, however, these implants are filled with a shot of saline once during the surgery and they fill up the implant. Because of this, the incisions on saline implant surgeries are usually much smaller than those on silicone surgeries. Saline implants are safer than silicone implants because in the event of a rupture, the body can absorb the saline solution without any trouble. However, the skin may exhibit a wrinkle like appearance after the rupture occurs.

The size of the breast augmentation is also customizable. It is important to consider the way that the augmented breasts will look against the body when trying to decide the size. Breasts that are too large for the patient’s body frame will obviously suggest a “boob job” was done. However, on the opposite side, if the patient chooses a size that is too small, there will be no significant change to the breast line. Dr. Steinbrech will help the patient in deciding the correct size for a pleasing look for the patient. Patients also have the choice of placement for the implants, either above the pectoral muscle, or underneath the pectoral. Usually, underneath the pectoral is the best choice. If the patient choose above the muscle, there is a higher chance of rippling or visible implants.

Contact Dr. Steinbrech

To set up a consultation with Dr. Steinbrech for your breast surgery, please call (347) 983-9560 and schedule your appointment. Dr. Steinbrech will create a plan with you for your breast surgery and answer any questions you may have. For more information, visit his website at www.drsteinbrech.com.

Carl

Carl Clay is a health blog author who has been writing about nutrition, fitness and healthy living for over 10 years. He also loves to run, hike and bike with her wife.