Breast Augmentation Timing: Before or After Diet, Which is Better?

Breast Augmentation Timing: Before or After Diet, Which is Better?

Hello. I'm Dr. Kim Joo-won, Chief Director of Melon Plastic Surgery.

I saw the Korea Meteorological Administration's forecast that this summer will be hotter and the monsoon season longer than in previous years. Due to climate change, the start of summer is getting earlier each year.

A longer summer means a longer period to show off beautiful breasts, doesn't it?

Perhaps that's why more people are seeking consultations for breast augmentation. As more people challenge themselves with dieting, questions related to diet also increase. In particular, whether to lose weight first or have surgery first is the most common concern we discuss in consultations.

Is it better to diet and then have breast augmentation, or have breast augmentation first and then diet? What criteria should be used to decide?

Today, for those contemplating between breast augmentation and dieting, I'll discuss the most appropriate timing for surgery.

If you diet after surgery | Will your augmented breasts change if you lose weight?

What changes can you expect if you have breast augmentation first and then diet?

While the implants themselves don't change, the tissues of your body surrounding the implants can.

For example, imagine someone who is 160cm tall and weighs 80kg has breast surgery and then loses 30kg. In this case, changes in breast shape or contour due to dieting can be noticeable. If you lose a significant amount of weight, like 30kg, not only does the visible volume decrease as fat is lost, but if this weight loss occurs rapidly, skin elasticity can also decrease. Consequently, this can lead to the breasts appearing saggy or having a different shape.

Especially if the skin tissue becomes thinner as fat is lost, the edges of the breast implants might become more palpable. While it varies depending on the case and individual body conditions, if you are planning a significant weight loss, there are factors that can reduce satisfaction with breast augmentation. Therefore, I advise careful consideration when choosing the timing of your surgery.

If you diet after surgery | The feeling after weight loss can vary depending on the implant placement.

The position of the implant also significantly influences breast changes after weight loss.

In the ‘dual-plane’ method, where implants are inserted beneath the muscle, the thick chest muscle naturally covers the implant, so cases where the implant's edge becomes visible after weight loss are rare.

On the other hand, in the ‘subfascial’ method, where implants are inserted above the muscle, the implant is covered by skin tissue rather than muscle. Therefore, if you lose weight, there's a relatively higher chance that the implant's outline might become more prominent.

Especially if you experience aggressive weight loss of 10kg or more in a short period, the lower part of the breast might feel thinner and firmer. If you prefer the subfascial method, it's best to have a detailed consultation with a specialist to discuss your diet and weight loss plans before planning the surgery.

Breast Augmentation Timing | When is the best time to receive it, before or after dieting?

When I hear concerns about breast augmentation and dieting, the most common advice I give is about the ‘기준점’ (reference point) to use when considering the timing of the surgery.

The most common answer I give is, ‘The best time for surgery is when you have reached a maintainable weight.’

The core of dieting isn't actually about how much weight you've lost, or the ‘range of reduction,’ but rather how long you can comfortably maintain that state without yo-yoing after successful dieting. Therefore, for breast surgery, it's best to decide when your diet has settled to some extent and your body's rhythm is stable, as this leads to the highest satisfaction.

Our bodies tend to return to their previous state, meaning the weight before dieting, so it's ideal to decide the timing of surgery based on your ‘normal body weight.’ A period when your body condition remains consistent without sudden weight changes will yield the most stable results after surgery.

Breast Augmentation Timing | After dieting, when you can maintain your weight, is ideal.

Summer is a time for more revealing clothing, so it's understandable to want to achieve both breast surgery and dieting. However, to realize the image you envision for yourself and maintain it healthily for a long time, it's best to set a sequence and follow it.

If you have breast surgery first and then diet,

As both your breasts and body volume change simultaneously, the implant shape might become more prominent, which can cause anxiety. Furthermore, for a certain period after surgery, strenuous exercise is restricted for the recovery of the augmented breasts, making it difficult to fully focus on dieting.

On the other hand, if you complete your diet and then have breast surgery,

Once you know the weight you can maintain after dieting, you can more accurately design the appropriate implant and size for your body, thereby increasing surgical satisfaction.

In conclusion, breast augmentation is most ideally performed when you have completed your diet and can maintain a stable weight.

Today, we discussed breast augmentation and dieting.

Whether it's dieting or breast augmentation, rather than rushing excessively, if you decide and prepare when your body and mind are ready, you'll be able to achieve more satisfying results 😊

If you have any questions about breast augmentation, please feel free to contact Melon Plastic Surgery.

Thank you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can breast shape change after breast augmentation if I diet?

Yes, it can change. Especially if significant weight loss, such as 30kg, occurs in a short period, fat loss can reduce breast volume and decrease skin elasticity, leading to the breasts appearing saggy or having a different shape. Also, if the fatty tissue thins, the edges of the implants might become palpable.

Does the change after dieting vary depending on the implant placement?

Yes, it can. In the dual-plane method, where implants are inserted beneath the muscle, the thick chest muscle covers the implant, so the edges are less likely to show. Conversely, in the subfascial method, where implants are placed above the muscle, skin tissue covers the implant, so if you lose weight, the implant's outline may become more prominent.

When is the best time to have breast augmentation, before or after dieting?

The best time is when you have reached a maintainable weight. It's important to decide on surgery when you can comfortably maintain your weight without yo-yoing after successful dieting, as this increases satisfaction. A period when your body condition remains consistent without sudden weight changes is ideal.

Why is it better to have breast augmentation after dieting?

Having surgery when you can maintain a stable weight after dieting increases satisfaction. This is because once you know your maintainable weight after dieting, you can more accurately design the appropriate implant and size for your body. Additionally, strenuous exercise is restricted after surgery, making it difficult to focus on dieting.

What should I be careful about when dieting after breast augmentation?

After surgery, strenuous exercise is restricted for a certain period to allow for breast recovery. Therefore, it may be difficult to fully concentrate on dieting, and rapid weight loss can cause the implant's edges to become palpable or lead to breast sagging, so caution is advised.