About 300,000 people undergo breast augmentation every year in the United States, making it the most popular form of cosmetic surgery.
Some women who plan to undergo the procedure ask whether or not it will affect future efforts to breastfeed. The good news? For most women, breastfeeding is still possible after breast augmentation.
Here’s what our team at Lansdowne Aesthetic Center wants you to know about breast augmentation and breastfeeding.
How breast augmentation affects breastfeeding
The ability to breastfeed after breast augmentation largely depends on the placement of the implant, the type of incision, and your natural breast anatomy. Here are some key factors that influence breastfeeding outcomes:
The incision location is one of the most critical factors affecting your ability to breastfeed. Typically, incisions are made under the breast fold (inframammary), around the areola (periareolar), or in the armpit (transaxillary).
The periareolar approach, which involves an incision around the nipple, carries the highest risk of disrupting milk ducts and nerves essential for breastfeeding. Inframammary and transaxillary incisions are less likely to interfere with the milk ducts and nerve pathways.
If you’re considering having children in the future, make sure our surgeon knows so that he can plan your surgery appropriately.
Our surgeon places implants either above or below the pectoral muscle. When implants are placed beneath the muscle, there is generally less impact on the breast tissue and milk ducts. This method is often preferred for women who plan to breastfeed in the future.
Though implant size typically has minimal impact on breastfeeding, very large implants may exert some pressure on breast tissue, potentially affecting milk production. Silicone and saline implants both have a similar impact on breastfeeding, so the implant material itself is not usually a determining factor.
Although many women with breast implants are able to breastfeed successfully, some may face challenges.
Surgery can cause damage to nerves or ducts. The milk production process relies on the intact network of nerves and ducts in the breast. If nerves around the nipple are damaged during surgery, the breast may not receive the signals necessary for milk letdown.
If you have underdeveloped breast tissue or other conditions that affect milk production, you will still have difficulty breastfeeding regardless of augmentation.
Remember, each body heals differently, and scar tissue formation or natural anatomical variations may impact the extent to which your breasts can produce milk.
There’s no evidence that breast implants affect the quality or safety of breast milk. Implants are placed behind or within breast tissue, and they are designed to remain intact.
If a saline implant ruptures, your body absorbs the saline, which poses no harm.
Silicone implants are also made to be secure and do not leach into breast tissue. If you have any concerns about the safety of breastfeeding with implants, raise your concerns with us. We’ll be happy to help you find peace of mind.
If you’re considering breast augmentation but want to keep the option of breastfeeding open, make sure you let our team know. Although many women successfully breastfeed after breast augmentation, it’s essential to set realistic expectations. Breastfeeding is a unique experience for every mother, and milk production varies from one person to the next.
We will encourage you to opt for inframammary or transaxillary incisions. These approaches are less likely to interfere with milk ducts and nerves.
You also improve your chances of being able to breastfeed by choosing submuscular implant placement. Placing the implant beneath the muscle can help maintain the integrity of breast tissue, which may support breastfeeding ability.
Whether you’re able to breastfeed exclusively, need to supplement, or choose an alternative feeding method, your bonding experience with your child will remain strong and fulfilling.
If you’re considering breast augmentation and have questions about how it may impact breastfeeding, don’t hesitate to reach out to us for a personalized consultation.
Call or text Lansdowne Aesthetic Center today at 703-844-3811, or schedule your free consultation on our website.
