Solutions for Breast Ptosis – Augmentation, Lift or Reduction

Breast ptosis is a medical term that refers to the sagging or drooping of the breasts. It is characterised by a downward displacement of the breast tissue and nipple relative to the inframammary fold (the crease beneath the breast).

Dr Michael Kernohan has years of experience in treating breast ptosis. He offers plenty of options to fix droopy breasts such as breast augmentation, lift, and reduction or sometimes a combination of these procedures.

According to the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), breast ptosis is typically classified into different grades based on the position of the nipple in relation to the inframammary fold:

1. Grade I (Mild Ptosis): The nipple is at the level of the inframammary fold but above most of the breast tissue.
2. Grade II (Moderate Ptosis): The nipple is below the level of the inframammary fold but still above the lower contour of the breast.
3. Grade III (Severe Ptosis): The nipple is below the level of the inframammary fold and at the lowest point of the breast contour.

This classification helps in determining the appropriate surgical approach if correction is desired. The condition can result from various factors such as aging, pregnancy, weight fluctuations, and genetic predisposition.

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What is Breast Ptosis?

Breast Ptosis is a medical term that is used to describe lax or drooping breasts. This occurs when your breasts hang lower than their normal position on the chest wall. The condition can be attributed to skin laxity, loss of breast volume, and other reasons. Your breasts are made up of glandular tissue, breast fat, and an intricate network of connective tissues and ligaments that hold your breasts in place. Think of these connective tissues and ligaments as a web of tight and very fine cords that run through the breasts to give them a firm shape. Over time, the ligaments become weak and stretched out which can cause your breasts to droop and lose their firmness, eventually leading to breast ptosis.

Causes of Breast Ptosis and Descending Breasts

Ageing is one of the key factors when it comes to breast laxity; however, it is not the only cause of breast ptosis. Some women might experience drooping of breasts in their 20s while others experience it post-menopause. A lot of factors come into play when it comes to deflated and descending breasts.

Some of the causes of breast ptosis can include:

• Gravity – gravity might be to blame for your lax breasts. It is one of the key factors that lead to breast ptosis – especially for large or heavy breasts. Wearing a good bra may help prevent this.
• Breast Size – it is a common observation that larger breasts descend earlier and the changes are more noticeable as compared to someone with smaller breasts. The larger your breasts are, the more the chances of gravity affecting them sooner in life. It applies to women who have naturally large breasts or are overweight and obese
• Weight Fluctuations – sudden weight loss or weight gain can stretch out your skin and ligaments, leading to breast ptosis. See Options for Drooping Breasts after Weight Loss.
• Smoking – studies indicate that smoking plays havoc on skin elasticity and contributes to the drooping of breasts
• Pregnancy – the hormonal changes in your body can make your breasts look bigger. This can stretch your skin and tussues and causes your breasts to eventually start descending
• Genetics – your genes play a very important role in determining how elastic your skin is, how firm your boobs are, and how much drooping they will experience over time. People with lax skin experience more severe breast ptosis
• Age – every woman will reach a point in her life when her breasts will become lower. This is natural and happens as our skin and ligaments stretch. Unfortunately, there isn’t a way to prevent age-related ptosis

Does Breast Feeding cause Saggy Breasts?

Some people think that breastfeeding is one of the key contributors to breast laxity. However, there aren’t any concrete studies to back this claim. By the time you give birth, your breasts will grow and develop to accommodate milk production post-childbirth. Once you begin weaning, involution begins which restores your pre-pregnancy boobs. Your milk ducts will shrink and your breast tissue will become smaller. The skin however might not retract on the new contour of the breasts in some cases, which causes empty and deflated breasts.

Measurement of Breast Ptosis

There are multiple degrees of ptotic breasts. Plastic surgeons typically use the Regnault classification of breast ptosis to classify your condition. The classification takes into account the location of the nipple, your inframammary crease (IMF) and lower breast pole. This crease is located right underneath your breasts. The lower the nipple is, the more severe the breast ptosis is.

Here is the Regnault classification:

• Grade I:  Your nipple is at the level of the inframammary crease and you have minor ptosis.
• Grade II: Your nipple is below the level of the inframammary crease but above your lower breast pole. It is called Moderate Ptosis.
• Grade III: Your nipple is below the inframammary crease level and on the lower breast pole. It is called Severe Ptosis.

• Pseudoptosis: Your nipples are at a normal position but there is little to no upper pole fullness and the lower pole hangs down below the inframammary crease.
• Parenchymal maldistribution: The lower pole looks deflated and the inframammary crease is positioned too high on the chest wall. The nipple and areola are facing down.

Download Dr Michael Kernohan’s Cosmetic Breast Surgery Guide

How to Correct Ptotic Breasts with Surgery

Dr Michael Kernohan offers a range of customised surgical procedures to fix descending breasts. The procedures aim to restore the normal position of the breasts and nipples, tighten your skin and help pump up the volume of deflated breasts.

1. Mastopexy or Breast Lift

This is a good choice for you if your breasts appear empty due to stretched skin but you have enough breast tissue and adequate volume. During the procedure, an incision will be made around the nipple that might extend to the lower breast pole. The excess skin will be removed and your nipples will be repositioned higher. The skin is then pulled together to help you achieve breasts that are lifted higher on the chest wall. Different surgeons offer a Lollipop-shaped incision or the Anchor-shaped incision for a Breast lift.

2. Breast Augmentation (Implants)

Breast augmentation alone can be a good solution when it comes to treating empty breasts in women. Adding implants to your breasts in certain cases is enough to push your nipples back to the normal position. During the surgery, Dr Kernohan will create a periareolar or an inframammary incision. Then, a pocket will be created inside your breasts for the insertion of implants. The result can be perkier, larger breasts that outline your cleavage and gives you the fullness of the upper pole. This solution only works for minor breast sagginess and patients with good quality skin as the added weight of the implants may cause droopiness some years later.

3. Breast Lift with Implants

In some cases, a combination of breast augmentation and lift is used to get the desired results. It is ideal for women who have ptotic and deflated breasts. If your breast tissue has shrunk and your skin is stretched, this can be the perfect option for you. The procedure will involve removing the excess skin, repositioning of nipples and implant insertion to help restore a full and uplifted appearance.

4. Breast Reduction

If you have naturally large breasts and are dealing with breast ptosis, you might see better results with a breast reduction which offers a lifting effect. During the surgery, excess tissue will be removed to reduce the size of your breasts along with the repositioning of the nipples to a higher position. It can give you uplifted boobs, but, more than this, the breasts will be more proportionate to the rest of your body.

If you have decided to say goodbye to your ptotic breasts, schedule an appointment with Dr Kernohan for a consultation. Dr Kernohan will ask about your expectations from the surgery and design a plan that will help you reach your aesthetic goals.

Preventing Breasts Ptosis: Is It Possible?

Unfortunately, there isn’t any way to prevent breast stretching completely. There are a few things that you can do to delay ptosis or prevent extreme loss of firmness. The following suggestions might help:

1. Maintain a Healthy Posture

The wrong posture can do more harm than you think. Sitting in a bent posture will exacerbate the impact of gravity on your breasts. So, try to sit and stand straight to offer natural support to your breasts.

2. Avoid Weight Fluctuations

Losing or gaining a lot of weight in a short amount of time can stretch your skin and lead to skin stretching. As your weight changes, so does your skin. Try to maintain a healthy weight and avoid highly restrictive diets.

3. Stay Hydrated

Drinking water is essential to keep your skin healthy and hydrated. Make sure you are always hydrated so that your skin is able to maintain its elasticity. Cut out on caffeinated beverages and drink at least 8 to 10 glasses of water a day.

4. Avoid Smoking

Smoking is not only bad for your health but also responsible for premature skin ageing and loss of elasticity. In fact, it is one of the major contributors to stretched breast skin.

Breast Ptosis – Medicare or Health Insurance Coverage

If you are looking for a treatment for ptotic breasts you might want to know about Australian Medicare and Health Insurance Coverage. Breast Lift might be covered partially by Medicare if you are dealing with moderate to severe loss of firmness post-pregnancy. You must meet the strict Medicare criteria.

Find out more details about Medicare item numbers and plastic surgery prices.

FAQs about Ptotic Breasts and Breast Surgery

Here is a list of frequently asked questions we get regarding Breast Ptosis & Breast Surgery:

Will breast lift surgery leave a scar?

• Yes, it is a surgical procedure and you will end up with a scar. The placement and size of the scar are based on the extent of ptosis. The scar is usually well hidden around the nipple or in the inframammary crease, under the breasts. Over time, your scars will fade and become less visible. You can also choose scar minimisation options once you are fully healed.

Does wearing a bra prevent the stretching of breasts?

• There aren’t any solid research studies to show that wearing a bra can or cannot prevent breast skin from stretching. Certain experts claim that a bra can help reduce the tension in your ligaments and prevent them from stretching. Some others believe that leaving your breast to move freely is supposed to strengthen the ligaments and prevent laxity. Nobody knows just yet!

Is there a way to reverse breast ptosis without surgery?

• Unfortunately, there isn’t. The only effective way to treat breast ptosis is the right surgical procedure.

Are the results of breast lift permanent?

• No. The longevity of the results greatly depends on your breasts, your lifestyle, and the elasticity of the skin. In most cases, the results will last for quite a few years if you follow the recommendations of the plastic surgeon and avoid weight fluctuations.

Further Reading about Breast Procedures for Saggy Breasts

• Read Dr Kernohan’s Breast Lift Surgery Page
• Read Dr Kernohan’s Breast Augmentation Surgery Page
• Read Dr Kernohan’s Breast Reduction Surgery Page
• Read Dr Kernohan’s Breast Lift with Implants Surgery Page
• Read Dr Kernohan’s blog about Breast Lift-Mastopexy Scar Treatment, Healing and Fading
• Read Dr Kernohan’s blog Will Medicare Cover My Breast Lift Surgery?

Medical References about Breast Ptosis / Saggy Breasts

• Breast Problems After Breastfeeding
• What to Know About Sagging Breasts
• Age-Related Breast Changes: What You Should Know