Pregnancy and breast feeding after breast augmentation
March 11, 2014, 8:22 am
You want to have breast augmentation surgery. You also want to become pregnant in the future. It is natural to wonder how breast augmentation, pregnancy, and breast feeding will go together. Dr. Hlavacek and everyone at Kansas City Surgical Arts want to be sure that you have the information you need in order to make the best decisions possible for you. We understand that pregnancy is a precious time of life for a woman, and we want to ensure that you and your baby are healthy throughout your journey. Here we provide you with some basic information about the safety of breast augmentation before pregnancy, but please be sure to discuss any concerns with Dr. Hlavacek during your consultation.
Before breast augmentation surgery — talk to your surgeon
If you are considering breast augmentation surgery but also know that you would like to become pregnant in the future, possibly breastfeeding, discuss these plans with Dr. Hlavacek during your consultation. While breast augmentation and pregnancy are not mutually exclusive, considering your future pregnancy plans will be beneficial when considering your augmentation choices.
Breast changes during pregnancy — impact on implants
Both pregnancy and breast feeding typically increase breast size, and after pregnancy, many women find that their breasts sag and lose volume. While these are a significant factor prompting many women to undergo breast augmentation after pregnancy, it is important to note that a single pregnancy after augmentation will not likely cause extensive changes to the breasts. However, factors such as weight gain during the pregnancy may have an impact. Factors that may affect your breast augmentation may include the age of your implants, the specific nature and characteristics of your breast tissue, and changes during your pregnancy. Repeated pregnancies after augmentation, however, may cause the breasts to sag over time. If, after pregnancy, you are not happy with your previous breast augmentation, it is possible to have revision surgery.
Breast feeding after breast augmentation
Another common concern among women considering breast augmentation is the ability to breastfeed. While you have the option of having your implants placed either above or under the muscle, implants are always placed behind the breast gland. As a result, implants do not interfere with the ability to breastfeed. Implants generally do not interfere with the breast glands or milk ducts. Some women prefer inframammary (below the breast) or transaxillary (in the armpit) incisions rather than periareolar (on the edge of the areola), although incision location has been shown to have minimal impact on breast feeding. If you are concerned about your ability to successfully breastfeed with breast implants, a lactation consultant may be of help.
A lactation consultant will not only address your breast feeding concerns in general, but will also be able to offer tips for nursing after breast surgery. According to La Leche League International, breastfeeding complications may be addressed in a number of ways, and may be caused by a variety of factors. Breast augmentation and lifts typically result in far fewer complications than breast reduction surgeries. La Leche League International does suggest that a period of five years or more between your breast augmentation and pregnancy typically results in better breast feeding outcomes.
Silicone implants and breast feeding
There is no reason to be concerned about the safety of silicone breast implants while breast feeding. The Food and Drug Administration has concluded that there is no connection between silicone breast implants and health problems in infants who are breastfed. The FDA found that there is no elevation in the amount of silicone found in the breast milk when compared to that found in dairy milk or baby formulas. Silicone breast implants are just as safe during breast feeding as saline implants.
If you are considering breast augmentation surgery, or any other cosmetic procedures, and have concerns about the impact on a future pregnancy or breast feeding, please call Kansas City Surgical Arts today at 816-286-4126. We look forward to hearing from you.
