Women opt for smaller breast implants
Women booking consultations with New York plastic surgeon Anna Steve, MD are not asking for larger breast implants. Instead, most want to restore the volume they have lost. Dr. Steve, who specializes in small-volume breast enhancement, notes that many of her patients are taking GLP-1 medication for aesthetic reasons, despite not having obesity. More than 80 percent of her patients are on a GLP-1, and most have a BMI of 21 or less.
The breast changes Dr. Steve sees after GLP-1 weight loss resemble postpartum changes, but occur earlier in life. For many women, this is the latest in a series of losses. She sees patients in their perimenopausal years who may not have experienced significant volume loss during pregnancy and breastfeeding, but now face a second hit with perimenopause and a third with GLP-1 weight loss. This shifts the goal of surgery from enlargement to restoration.
Shift towards Smaller Implants
The industry is reflecting this trend, with Malavika William of Establishment Labs noting a growing preference for smaller volume implants, such as the “ballerina breast” and “yoga breast” looks.
In October, the FDA approved 28 additional sizes of smaller Motiva implants, ranging from 105 cc up, across its SmoothSilk Round and Ergonomix styles. The Ergonomix implant is designed to move with the body for a more natural shape.
Patient Preferences
Patient awareness of these trends is increasing, with some specifically requesting Motiva implants or Preservé, a minimally invasive approach. Dr. Charles Galanis, a plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills, attributes this to the broader push for natural results, with patients seeking modest sizes rather than dramatic enhancements.
Dr. Galanis notes that even in Los Angeles, patients are opting for more modest sizes, and the Motiva implant has excelled in this area. Safety data is also a consideration, with Motiva’s clinical study showing a low rate of capsular contracture—a common reason for revision surgery. Specifically, the rate was 0.5 percent at five years among 451 primary augmentation patients, according to Establishment Labs.
Advances in Implant Technology
For women considering breast enhancement after GLP-1 weight loss, timing matters. They should ask their surgeon whether their weight has stabilized, whether volume alone will give them the shape they want, or if they’ll also need a lift. Dr. Steve emphasizes the importance of collaboration between surgeons and prescribers.
Malavika William notes that transparency has improved significantly over the past decade, with patients now more educated about what they are putting in their bodies.
