Breast augmentation can impact lactation. During the augmentation procedure, nerves and milk ducts may become damaged or severed, which can affect your ability to breastfeed. However, procedural steps can be taken to reduce these risks.
Breast augmentation incision options include:
- Periareolar. Around the nipple
- Inframammary. Along the breast crease
- Transaxillary. In the armpit
Of these, the periareolar incision poses the most considerable risk to breastfeeding. While rare, incisions around the nipple can impact ducts or reduce sensitivity, both of which can reduce your ability to breastfeed. If you plan on having children in the future, the inframammary incision is likely best.
In addition to incision playing a role in the ability to breastfeed, breast implant placement can also have an impact. Breast implants placed above the muscles in the chest can put pressure on breast tissue. This may impact milk production. For women who plan on having children in the future, below-the-muscle implant placement is best. This placement also helps reduce risks of visible implant imperfections, implant sagging, and capsular contracture, making it a better fit for many patients.
Is it Safe to Breastfeed with Breast Implants?
It is safe to breastfeed with breast implants. There is no link between health issues in babies and breast implants in mothers. Multiple studies have also shown that silicone does not leak into breast milk, even in women with above the muscle implants.
There are no health risks to the babies of mothers who have breast implants. At least, none posed by the implants themselves.
Reasons to Wait
Breast augmentation improves the size, shape, and symmetry of the breasts. Unfortunately, pregnancy and breastfeeding will impact all of those things and have the potential to undo your results. Waiting until you are satisfied with your family’s size can help reduce the risks of a future pregnancy altering your breast augmentation results. During your initial consultation, Dr. Chatson will help you decide if now is the right time to consider the procedure or if waiting may be a better option.
Please call George Chatson, MD in North Andover at 978-687-1151 or Nashua at 603-882-2103 to schedule your consultation today.
