Breastfeeding after Breast Augmentation

The average age for women undergoing breast augmentation surgery is 34. This, combined with the fact that the number of breast augmentations increased by 250 percent from 1997 to 2008, means that many more women who choose to undergo breast augmentation may also be planning to start a family. A big consideration for these patients is whether or not they will be able to breastfeed if they decide to have children after undergoing the cosmetic procedure. They may have concerns about their ability to successfully breastfeed, augmented breasts becoming misshapen due to breastfeeding, possible blocked milk ducts, or the safety of the implant materials for their breast milk.

Success at Breastfeeding

A study published in the May 2010 issue of the Annals of Plastic Surgery compared the ability of 107 women who had saline breast implants to breastfeed following the procedure with a group of 105 women with underdeveloped breasts who did not have augmentation and also breastfed their infants. Both groups of women were asked about how successful they had been at breastfeeding their children. The women who underwent breast augmentation were also asked about the position of their breast scar, implant volume, and whether or not they had experienced any loss of nipple sensation after the surgery.

63 percent of the women who had undergone breast augmentation surgery reported being able to successfully breast feed, as compared to 88 percent of the women with underdeveloped breasts. However, 46 percent of the women with breast augmentations had to supplement their breast milk. Although this may seem to be a high percentage of women who needed to supplement breast milk, it is not far off from the national average. A report by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) found that in 2013, only 38 percent of women were exclusively breastfeeding their infants at three months, and 16 percent were doing so at six months.

Sagging Breasts from Breastfeeding following Augmentation

The same researcher who performed the study of breast feeding after augmentation presented findings to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons from another study on whether or not women who had undergone breast augmentation experienced sagging breasts from breastfeeding. The study included 120 women who had breastfed following a breast augmentation procedure. The researcher found that breast augmentation did not increase the risk of breast sagging due to breastfeeding.

Safety of Implant Material for Milk Supply

Many women may be concerned about the effect that the breast implant material may have upon the safety of their breast milk. It is well-known that nursing mothers should be very cautious about any medications, vitamins, or supplements that they take, as the properties of these can be passed to the baby via breast milk.

In the case of breast implants, there is very little cause for concern. Implants will either be placed behind both the mammary glands or ducts and the pectoral muscles, or behind just the mammary glands. Regardless of where the implant is placed, the material will not come into direct contact with the mammary glands or ducts.

There are numerous documented benefits to breastfeeding, both for mother and infant. There is no reason why women who have undergone breast augmentation cannot partake of this special bonding experience with their children.

Contact Jefferson Plastic Surgery to schedule a breast augmentation consultation.