Why Jennifer Lawrence is Planning Breast Augmentation After Baby Number Two
Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Lawrence recently made headlines for being refreshingly candid about her plans to undergo breast augmentation. In a profile published by The New Yorker, the 35-year-old shared that after welcoming her second child last year, her body did not recover the way it had after her first pregnancy. Her honest observation resonated with mothers everywhere: “Everything bounced back, pretty much, after the first one. Second one, nothing bounced back.”
For Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. Emily Kirby, this scenario is one of the most common reasons women seek breast surgery. The physical changes that follow pregnancy affect nearly every mom, regardless of age, fitness level, or body type.
Understanding why these changes occur, and when breast surgery may be the right choice, can help you make an informed decision about your own body.
How Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Change Breast Tissue
During pregnancy, hormonal shifts cause the mammary glands to enlarge as the body prepares for milk production. The tissues stretch, and the ligaments that support the breasts (known as Cooper’s ligaments) can become permanently elongated.
After you are no longer pregnant or breastfeeding, the glandular tissue shrinks, but the stretched ligaments, skin, and other tissues may not return to their previous state. This can result in breasts that appear deflated, droopy, or simply different from how they looked before, with or without breastfeeding.
For some women, no amount of diet or exercise can “bounce back” the tissues to their former shape. This is not a failure. It is simply biology.
These changes have nothing to do with how well you take care of herself. Even if you maintain a healthy weight and exercise regularly (or if you are Jennifer Lawrence), you will experience some degree of change. For some, like Lawrence after her first pregnancy, the body recovers well. For others, pregnancy brings more noticeable, lasting changes.
Breast Surgery Options After Pregnancy
Breast Augmentation for Lost Volume
Breast Implants
Many new moms notice their breasts look deflated. Implants can restore fullness and projection, creating a more youthful breast shape.
Today’s breast implants come in a wide range of sizes, shapes, and profiles, allowing for highly personalized results. Many patients choose modestly sized implants that enhance their natural proportions without looking overdone. Techniques such as subfascial (preservation) breast augmentation, which Dr. Kirby offers, place the implant beneath a layer of tissue that provides additional support and a more natural contour. Dr. Kirby is also one of the first Fort Worth plastic surgeons to offer Motiva breast implants, an innovative implant with several additional safety features.
Fat Transfer to the Breasts
For those who want a modest increase in breast size without implants, breast augmentation with your own fat offers an appealing option. This procedure uses liposuction to harvest fat from areas like the abdomen, flanks, or thighs, then separates and injects that fat into the breasts.
Fat transfer is ideal if you are seeking a subtle enhancement, typically one cup size or less. The results look and feel natural because the augmentation uses your own tissue. An added benefit is that the donor area can be contoured in the process.
Breast Lift for Sagging or Drooping Breasts
A breast lift (mastopexy) repositions the nipple and areola to a more youthful height and removes excess tissue to create a firmer, more elevated breast shape. The result is breasts that look perkier and more proportionate, without necessarily changing their size.
The specific technique depends on the degree of sagging. Options range from a periareolar lift (with incisions only around the areola) to a vertical or “lollipop” lift, to a full anchor lift for more significant correction. Dr. Kirby can help you determine the technique that will achieve a balance of desired results with minimal scarring.
Breast Augmentation with Lift for Complete Rejuvenation
Patients who have both lost volume and experienced sagging often achieve the best results with a combination of breast augmentation and breast lift. This approach addresses both concerns in a single surgical plan, restoring fullness while also lifting and reshaping the breast mound.
Yes, You Can Achieve Natural-Looking Results
Some patients are concerned that breast augmentation will look artificial or overdone. The reality is that breast augmentation can be as subtle or as noticeable as you desire. It is the celebrities with very obvious results who tend to make headlines, but most plastic surgeons agree that the best outcomes fly completely under the radar.
At Kirby Plastic Surgery, Dr. Kirby takes a personalized approach to implant selection, considering your body frame, existing breast tissue, and aesthetic goals. Modern implant options, including form-stable “gummy bear” implants and a variety of shapes and profiles, allow for a high degree of customization. The aim is to create results that look and feel natural, helping you feel comfortable and confident.
Surgery & Planning a Future Pregnancy
It is safe to become pregnant and breastfeed after you have had plastic surgery, but keep in mind that every pregnancy affects the breasts differently, and may alter your surgical results. This is a normal concern to bring to your consultation with Dr. Kirby, who would be happy to discuss any concerns you have around childbearing and its potential to alter your body. In certain cases, especially if you are also considering tummy tuck surgery, Dr. Kirby may recommend delaying your “Mommy Makeover” until you are finished having children.
Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. Emily Kirby has helped hundreds of women in Fort Worth and the surrounding areas restore their confidence after pregnancy. As both a mom and a highly regarded Castle Connolly Top Doctor, she understands the unique questions you have and offers the most cutting-edge techniques for addressing them with minimal downtime.
To schedule a consultation with Dr. Kirby, please call (817) 292-4200.
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