To understand the effects of aging on breasts, it’s important to have a basic idea of breast anatomy. Breasts consist of fat, connective tissue, lymph nodes, and the mammary glands. The breasts do not have a muscular support system, but instead depend on Cooper’s ligaments and the breast skin for support. The mammary system in each breast includes alveoli, or hollow sacs in which milk is produced. Groups of alveoli form anywhere from 10 to 20 larger sacs called lobules. Every lobule has its own duct through which milk travels to the nipple opening during breastfeeding. While major changes to the breasts tend to occur as a result of aging, they can be exacerbated by the effects of pregnancy and breastfeeding.

As a woman’s body prepares for childbirth, the breasts swell, lobules increase in size to prepare for milk production, and the breast skin is stretched as a result. When a woman finishes childbearing and breastfeeding, or when she reaches menopause (usually somewhere around her late 40s or early 50s), breast involution occurs, during which estrogen levels decrease, signaling to the breasts that additional preparation for future breastfeeding isn’t necessary. As a result, dense glandular tissue shrinks and is eventually replaced with less dense fatty tissue, a change that can cause breasts to lose firmness and appear deflated or empty. While fat will eventually deposit in the breast pocket and can make the breasts increase in size and look fuller, sagging and excess skin may still be an issue.

Additionally, sagging (medically known as ptosis) can lead to the weakening of Cooper’s ligaments. These ligaments, which run through each breast and attach to the chest wall, consist of collagen, which gives the connective tissue strength and flexibility to properly support the breasts. Over time, collagen dries and hardens, particularly during menopause, and can contribute to sagging breasts.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding aside, breast changes related to aging can also occur in women who have naturally large breasts or whose weight has fluctuated over time.

Breast Augmentation & Breast Lift Procedures

Breast augmentation and breast lift surgery can address the various effects that aging, pregnancy, breastfeeding, and weight gain or loss can have on breasts.

Breast augmentation (mammaplasty), which involves the insertion of saline or silicone implants into the breast pocket, is often the best option for patients with good skin elasticity and minimal sagging. The procedure aims to improve breast volume, size, and firmness, as well as a patient’s overall bodily proportions.

A breast lift (mastopexy) may be a better option for women who are satisfied with their existing breast volume and size, but have excessive ptosis, as sagging and drooping breast tissue cannot be addressed by breast augmentation alone. In general, a breast lift procedure involves removing excess skin, repositioning breast tissue to a higher location on the chest wall, improving breast spacing and cleavage when necessary, and raising the position of the nipples.

Women who exhibit loss of volume, fullness, and skin elasticity may be candidates for both breast augmentation and a breast lift. Typically, patients who choose to undergo both procedures may also benefit from minimized scarring, because the added volume of an implant would require less skin removal than if a breast lift was performed alone.

Consult a Plastic Surgeon

Women considering a cosmetic procedure or combination of procedures to help combat anatomical breast changes caused by aging, pregnancy, and breastfeeding should consult an experienced plastic surgeon who is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. He or she can determine whether breast augmentation, a breast lift procedure, or both could help a patient achieve the best overall results, and can tailor those results for her unique body type, overall level of health, and lifestyle.

Katie Perry is an online content editor in the Tampa Bay area. She posts articles about plastic surgery topics and procedures including breast augmentation, breast implants, and more.

Katie Perry is an online content editor in the Tampa Bay area. She posts articles about plastic surgery topics and procedures including http://bayshoreplasticsurgery.com/ breast augmentation, breast implants, and more.

Author Bio: Katie Perry is an online content editor in the Tampa Bay area. She posts articles about plastic surgery topics and procedures including breast augmentation, breast implants, and more.

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Keywords: breast augmentation, breast enhancement, breast enlargement, breast implants