SHOULD I LOSE WEIGHT BEFORE OR AFTER MY BREAST AUGMENTATION?
The consensus among plastic surgeons and weight-loss experts is that if you intend to undergo breast augmentation and have a desire to lose weight, it is ideal to prioritize weight loss after the surgery.
In this article, we will explain the reasons behind this recommendation and provide you with a comprehensive guide on effective weight loss strategies at home, while also considering your breast augmentation journey.
HOW EXTRA WEIGHT AFFECTS THE BREASTS
Most women know that when they’re carrying a few extra pounds, the added overall plumpness makes their breasts appear bigger as well. This is because breast tissue is almost entirely fatty. Rarely does the natural figure of a slender, fit woman include fatty deposits at the breasts. Generally speaking, if the rest of your body is slim and carries little fat, the same will be the case for your breasts, and as a result, they will be small.
This leaves many women who desire a classic hourglass figure with a conundrum. They’d like to have a slim waistline and slender legs and arms, but they also want ample volume at their breasts. Should they lose weight to achieve for former, or keep a few extra pounds on to achieve the latter?
The answer for many of these women — in addition to leading a fit lifestyle and maintaining a healthy weight — is to get breast augmentation surgery.
If you still have weight to lose, again, it’s best to lose that weight before your surgery.
WHY IS WEIGHT LOSS BETTER BEFORE BREAST AUGMENTATION SURGERY?
When you initially speak to a plastic surgeon at your consultation appointment, he or she will take measurements of your body. They’ll record your height, weight, chest size, cup size, etc.
These measurements will be used to help you find the ideal breast implant size for your body frame and shape. Often, your surgeon will even show you pictures of similarly-sized and -shaped individuals so that you can see what different implant sizes look like on a body shape that’s close to yours.
Naturally, if you lose a significant amount of weight after your surgery, most of these measurements will change. Losing weight with breast implants can cause your implants to look different on your new body — possibly, in a way you didn’t intend.
Of course, losing weight after surgery is not forbidden. Many women end up dropping a significant amount of weight after surgery. We’ll get into what happens in these situations in a moment.
HOW CLOSE DO I HAVE TO BE TO MY GOAL WEIGHT BEFORE SURGERY?
If you can get at least close to your desired goal weight before surgery, this is ideal. That’s because real changes to your body’s measurements only happen when you lose 10% of your overall weight.
Let’s say a patient weighs 170 pounds and wants to lose weight before surgery. If they plan to lose more than 10% (17 lbs.), they should aim to get as close to their goal mark as possible. If they only want to lose 15 pounds, they may choose to do this before or after surgery as it is within the 10% range and should make little difference to how their breast implants ultimately look on their body.
In other words, if you’d only like to drop a few “vanity pounds,” don’t be too concerned about doing it before surgery unless you really want to. This type of weight loss shouldn’t affect your implants.
IS WEIGHT LOSS AFTER BREAST AUGMENTATION BAD?
Many women decide to work out and have weight loss after breast augmentation. In one scenario, it’s possible the resulting weight loss does nothing to change the patient’s opinion about the size of their breasts. They may lose a bit of the fatty tissue that they started with, but of course, the breast implants will still be there, so they’ll keep a lot of the volume and size.
On the other hand, some women find that when they lose weight, their breasts appear disproportionate to the rest of their body. This may cause them to go back to Dr. Sieber and ask to have smaller implants put in.
Finally, if weight loss results in too much loss of excess fatty tissue on their breasts, and if the patient was happy with the size of their breasts — no matter the size of the rest of their body — they may want to go up an implant size to make up the difference.
WHAT IF I LIKE MY SIZE AND DON’T WANT TO LOSE WEIGHT BEFORE SURGERY?
If you are within a healthy weight range and have a healthy BMI according to your age, height, and weight, you will likely be cleared for surgery without issue. Those who are overweight or obese may also be cleared for surgery. It’s not uncommon for those with excess weight on their bodies to be interested in breast augmentation and undergo successful procedures.
However, it is important to mention that it is always ideal to be within a healthy weight range before any type of surgery. Women who are obese are especially at risk of complications during surgery. This is a subject you should feel free to discuss openly with Dr. Sieber at your consultation appointment.
WHAT’S THE BEST WAY TO LOSE WEIGHT BEFORE BREAST AUGMENTATION?
If you are interested in losing weight before your breast augmentation surgery, it’s best to do so in a healthy manner. Take part in regular exercise — even if it’s just walking around the block once a day. Strength training can also help tone your muscles, giving you a sleeker physique.
When it comes to eating, healthy meals full of lean proteins, fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats is recommended. Many women opt to count calories to create a calorie deficit as well.
Questions and Answers about losing weight before breast augmentation
Should i lose weight before breast augmentation?
Implants may experience a decrease in fullness and potentially shift position due to weight loss, while weight gain can cause an increase in size of augmented breasts. It is advisable for individuals considering breast augmentation surgery to achieve their desired weight prior to the procedure, whether that involves weight loss or weight gain.
What is the ideal weight for breast augmentation?
According to numerous experts, there are generally no specific restrictions based on body mass index (BMI) or weight for this surgery, as long as your weight remains stable. As long as you are in good health and don’t have any medical conditions that might affect the procedure or recovery process, you are considered a suitable candidate.
CONTACT US TODAY TO SCHEDULE A BREAST AUGMENTATION CONSULTATION APPOINTMENT
Are you interested in breast augmentation? Do you have questions about boobs before and after weight loss? Contact us today to schedule a breast augmentation consultation appointment with Dr. Sieber San Francisco Plastic Surgeon.
REFERENCES FOR WEIGHT LOSS AFTER BREAST AUGMENTATION
Breast implants before and after weight losshttps://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/breast-augmentation