Many women who are considering breast implants worry that their decision might impact their ability to breastfeed in the future. The good news is this concern may be unfounded for many women, as long as they approach their surgery with the ability to breastfeed in the future in mind. When breast augmentation is performed by an experienced surgeon who understands the need to protect the breasts for future nursing, the risk is minimal.
Risks before Surgery
In some cases, the very reasons a woman might seek breast augmentation are the same reasons why breastfeeding might not be as successful. These circumstances might include:
- Underdeveloped breasts
- Tubular (cone-shaped) breasts
If a woman has one or more of these risk factors prior to breast surgery, breastfeeding may already be a challenge. Augmentation surgery properly performed should not help or hinder breastfeeding efforts for these women.
Risks after Surgery
The placement of the implant could also impact breast milk production. Implants placed immediately under glandular tissue are more likely to put pressure on milk ducts. Implants placed under the chest muscle should not impact milk production or milk ejection. The type of implant – saline or silicone – does not have any bearing on a woman’s ability to breastfeed.
Waiting for breast augmentation until after children is one way to ensure changes to the breasts during pregnancy and nursing don’t affect the results of your surgery. However, women who choose to nurse with implants in place usually don’t need to worry about implants affecting their ability to breastfeed. For more information about breast augmentation procedures, contact our staff at the Umansky Plastic Surgery.