If you are interested in breast augmentation but still want to have children in the future, you may wonder if the breast implants you get will interfere with your ability to breastfeed. Luckily, the answer is no in the majority of cases. Most women who have breast augmentation surgery can still breastfeed successfully afterwards.
If you have further questions or would like to schedule your complimentary consultation, please call Philadelphia plastic surgeon Dr. David Bottger today at 610-355-1929. He will be happy to let you know if you are a good candidate for breast augmentation surgery as well as if you are at risk for trouble breastfeeding.
What Factors Affect Breastfeeding After Breast Surgery?
There are a few different variables involved in breast surgery that may potentially affect your milk glands. These include:
- Incision location
- Implant placement
- The shape of your breasts
Incision location is generally the most important factor when it comes to breastfeeding. If your incision is done around the areola, you will have a higher chance of encountering trouble with breastfeeding. This is because areola incisions are quite close to the milk glands. Dr. Bottger typically opts for incisions under the breast, though, as these can be hidden well and do not touch the milk glands at all.
Implant placement can also play a role. Placing the implants under the pectoral muscles is typically safer for breastfeeding. If they are placed over the muscle, they will be right under the milk glands, which could potentially cause issue with breastfeeding.
Keep in mind that even if your implants are placed through areolar incisions and over the muscle, it is not guaranteed that you will not be able to breastfeed. Many women with these placements are still able to produce enough milk for their baby. If your milk supply is affected, you may still be able to breastfeed while supplementing with formula.
The final factor to consider is what your breast shape and size was before surgery. If your breasts were very flat, tubular, or asymmetric, it could be a sign that you have underdeveloped breast tissue. Women with underdeveloped breast tissue often have trouble breastfeeding regardless of whether or not they had breast surgery.
What Can I Do to Raise My Chances of Breastfeeding Successfully?
Breastfeeding with implants is done successfully by women all over the world. One of the most important things you can do to make sure your milk glands are not affected during breast surgery is to visit a highly experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon with a history of satisfied patients. None of Dr. Bottger’s breast augmentation patients have been unable to breastfeed at all after their surgery.
Be sure to tell Dr. Bottger during your consultation that you want to have children in the future and are hoping to breastfeed them. This will affect his recommendations for implant type and incision, and is very important information to share.
Breastfeeding can be difficult for some women even without implants, so if you have trouble, most experts would recommend visiting a lactation specialist for advice. Breast implants are not usually a main concern when it comes to having trouble producing milk, though.