The Effect of Breastfeeding On Breast Ptosis Following Augmentation Mammaplasty

INTRODUCTION:  Women are often concerned about the effect that breastfeeding could have on the appearance of their breasts, particularly after they invested on a breast augmentation.  However, breast ptosis results from the changes brought about by pregnancy.   Breastfeeding does not seem to worsen ptosis in women with or without breast implants.^1-2

METHOD:  A clinical study was designed to evaluate the change in breast measurements resulting from pregnancy without breastfeeding (control group n=62) vs. pregnancy with breastfeeding (study group n=57) in women who had breast augmentation.  Measurements included the mid-clavicle to nipple distance and the nipple to inframammary fold (IMF) distance.  The degree of breast ptosis using Regnault’s classification was also documented.  Measurements were made before pregnancy and one year after pregnancy in the control group or one year after completing breastfeeding in the study group.  Basic demographic data was also collected including age, body mass index, bra size, and the duration of breastfeeding.  

RESULTS:  The groups were not significantly different regarding age (24±5 vs. 25±6), body mass index (23±3 vs. 22±4) or mean bra size 34-C.  The mean duration of breastfeeding for the study group was 6±3 months.  Breast ptosis, as indicated by the increase in the breasts’ measurements, was not significantly different between the study and the control group (table 1).

Table 1.  Breast measurements before and after pregnancy with or without breastfeeding.

Measurements	Control Group (Pregnancy only) Mean±SD	Study Group (Pregnancy+Breastfeeding) Mean±SD	P
Mid-clavicle to nipple (before)	21±2 cm	21±3 cm	>0.05
Mid-clavicle to nipple (after)	23±3 cm	22±4 cm	>0.05
Nipple to IMF (before)	6±2 cm	6±3 cm	>0.05
Nipple to IMF (after)	8±3 cm	8±2 cm	>0.05
Regnault’s degree of ptosis (before)	0.5±1.0	0.5±1.0	>0.05
Regnault’s degree of ptosis (after)	2.0±1.0	2.0±1.0	>0.05

 (SD= Standard Deviation) 

CONCLUSION:  The significant changes in breast measurements are caused by the pregnancy. Breastfeeding does not appear to cause further breast ptosis in women with breast augmentation.  Since breastfeeding improves both a mother and child’s overall health, patient education regarding this matter is of importance.