Can I Breastfeed After Getting Breast Implants?
The advantages of breastfeeding are well documented so many women considering breast augmentation are curious about the effects, especially since many candidates still plan on having children. The most common questions are do the breasts still produce and deliver milk and is the safety of the milk affected by implants?
Breast augmentation, like all surgical procedures, can have side effects. Your ability to safely breastfeed does have a chance of being of affected, but it is more than likely that you will be able to breastfeed normally. There are choices that your surgeon can guide you through that will minimize the possibility of breastfeeding being affected.
The incision along the crease underneath the breast is called the inframammary incision, and does not divide any milk glands or ducts. For women planning on breastfeeding, this incision reduces the risk of complications in breastfeeding. Some of the milk glandular tissues will be divided when doing an incision around the nipple, which can slightly increase the risk, however safe breastfeeding is still very likely with either one of these incisions.
The risk to babies breastfeeding from breasts with implants has been the focus of many studies. To date there has been no evidence that there are any risks. I can safely say that it breastfeeding with implants is safe for you and your baby.
Pregnancy can cause a natural droop of the breasts, and some women with breast implants decide not to breastfeed for fear that it will have a negative effect on the results of their surgery. About three years ago a study suggested that breast were affected by pregnancy regardless of whether the mother breastfed or not. My experience suggests otherwise.
Women who would like to enhance the shape or size of their breasts will more than likely not have their ability to breastfeed be affected by their surgery, although there is a possibility. Discuss your concerns with your surgeon and together you can make choices that will minimize the risks while enjoying the results.