If you had your breast implants prior to having children, you may have concerns about your ability to breastfeed. Rest assured that breast augmentation isn’t likely to prevent your ability to nurse your baby. The nursing capacity for women who have had implants is not any lower statistically than for women without implants. Being able to produce milk is dependent on many factors, and whether or not you have implants is only one of them. Every woman runs the risk of not being able to breastfeed, whether or not she’s had augmentation surgery.
That being said, if your surgeon uses periareolar incisions (placed around the nipple), this is right where the nerves and milk ducts connect, so there is a larger risk of hampering nursing in the future in this case. If you feel strongly about breastfeeding your future children, I generally suggest to choose an inframammary incision (hidden within the crease of the breast), just to stay on the safe side.
Implant placement is also important. The more pressure that’s put on the milk ducts and mammary glands, the harder it will be to develop and maintain an adequate milk supply for your baby. Regardless of implant incision or placement, there’s no evidence at all that the implants themselves are harmful to your baby, or affect the composition of your milk in any way.
A Plan for Success
The bottom line is that if you’re set on breastfeeding, definitely discuss this goal with your surgeon prior to your procedure. Extra cautions taken now can make a difference down the road.
Dr. Francesco Campanile is a board-certified plastic surgeon who is also fellowship trained in hand and microsurgery. Dr. Campanile knows that making a lasting change to your appearance is a big decision. His calm, professional approach and deep caring for his patients set a tone that will help you feel confident and relaxed while reviewing your options and learning all about the procedures that can benefit you. Request a consultation today to meet with Dr. Campanile in person.
