Can I Still Breastfeed After Breast Augmentation?
Many women want to improve the appearance and enhance the size of their breasts with breast augmentation. At the same time, many women also want to be able to breastfeed children they may have after the procedure.
Dr. Christine Petti, our board certified plastic surgeon, explains that – in most cases – patients have no problem lactating after this surgery. However, there are some factors to keep in mind to help you determine if breast enlargement is right for you, and which approach can offer optimal results.
It’s important to note, some women naturally have difficulty breastfeeding. This is a common concern, and it’s no one’s fault. It’s hard to know prior to the operation whether or not a woman may have trouble lactating if she has not already had a child. Even if she has, unpredictable complications that are separate from cosmetic surgery could occur.
While most women experience no difficulty nursing regardless of the approach used during breast augmentation, some techniques may offer less risk than others. For instance, an incision placed under the breast (known as an inframammary incision) rather than within nipple-areolar skin may cause less damage to the milk ducts, which are located near the nipples. Also, when an inframammary incision is combined with placement of the breast implant under the muscle, there is very little disturbance of the breast tissue needed for lactation. Dr. Petti will be happy to discuss the available incision, pocket, and breast implant options based on your unique needs and goals.
You may be concerned about breast implants having a deleterious effect on your ability to nurse. There’s no scientific data that suggests saline or silicone implants can disrupt your ability to safely breastfeed your child.
For most women, breast enhancement has little to no effect on their ability to breastfeed. Contact us today to learn more about this important subject or to schedule a consultation with Dr. Petti. We’re happy to help you find a treatment plan that works best for you.
