Since many people gain weight as they get older, the team at our Dallas, TX practice is often asked how weight gain affects breast implants. Dr. Mark A. Deuber goes over some basics on weight changes and implants. In addition, he offers some tips for preventing potential cosmetic problems.
Weight Gain and Your Skin
Whenever you gain or lose weight, your skin will respond. Weight gain means some expansion of the skin, and weight loss means your skin will contract to some degree. Constant weight gain and weight loss over time will lead to issues with skin elasticity, resulting in wrinkles, drooping, and sagging.
When you experience major weight gain or weight loss, these skin elasticity issues are more pronounced. Your skin can be stretched out too much, or with weight loss, there may be stretch marks and loose skin. As you can imagine, this can affect the appearance of your breasts.
Will Weight Gain Affect My Breast Implants?
If you have breast implants, a little bit of weight gain should not have any effect on your implants or the results of surgery. Many breast augmentation patients lose a bit of weight or gain a bit of weight after surgery and notice no major changes in the appearance or texture of their breast implants.
Weight Gain and Breast Augmentation Results
While the breast implants may not be impacted by weight gain, there is a chance that the breasts themselves will change in appearance as a result of significant weight gain. The issue is an increase in fatty tissue of the breasts, which may occur with significant weight gain. The overall shape, symmetry, and texture of the breasts could also be altered as a result of major weight gain.
How Much Weight Gain Alters Implant Appearance?
This can vary from patient to patient. Factors to consider include the patient’s starting weight, the amount of weight they’ve gained, and their increase in body fat percentage.
With this in mind, women should be able to gain around 10 to 15 pounds just fine without experiencing major changes to the appearance of their breasts. That said, gaining 20 pounds or more can lead to cosmetic issues that require professional attention.
Will I Need Implant Revision Surgery?
Not necessarily. Patients who gain weight will only need breast implant revision if the impact of the weight gain cannot be addressed through natural weight loss or targeted fat removal via liposuction. If you have questions about addressing weight gain and correcting problems with your breast implants, feel free to contact our practice for advice.
Tips for Managing Your Weight
If you want to maintain the results of your breast augmentation surgery, it’s important that you avoid major weight fluctuations. Consider these tips to keep your weight consistent:
- Eat a healthy diet rich in vegetables, fruits, lean protein, and whole grains
- Exercise regularly, taking time to improve your flexibility, strength, and cardio
- Stay away from processed foods and junk food
- Hydrate with water rather than soft drinks and sweetened fruit juice
- Reduce consumption of alcohol to avoid empty calories
- Stay away from crash diets and fasting for weight loss/management
Contact Dr. Mark A. Deuber
For more information on maintaining a healthy weight and making sure the results of your breast augmentation last, be sure to contact our plastic surgery center. We look forward to help you look your very best for years to come.