Breast Augmentation and Breast Feeding - The Risks Vs the Facts

This is one of the most asked questions I get about breast augmentation and it amazes me that after 30 years there is still so much misinformation about this subject.. Most women after a breast augmentation can safely and successfully breastfeed. Is there a possible risk of not being able to breast feed? Yes, but the vast majority of women will experience no problems whatsoever..

There are few things you should take into consideration and also discuss with your surgeon before your breast augmentation.

1. Discuss your desire to breastfeed in the future.

2. Discuss the placement of your incision.

3. Should the implant be under or over the muscle?

4. What if I need a breast lift or breast lift with augmentation?

5. What if I need a breast reduction?

Incision Placement- Which option is the best for breastfeeding?

Will the location of the incision have any effect on the ability to breastfeed? Studies show that whether you have the incision along the areola, mammary fold, armpit or belly button it has little affect on your ability to successfully breastfeed. The common thought is that when the incision is made around the areola the ability to breastfeed will be affected.. I myself had this fear when 16 years ago with my first breast augmentation and I chose to have my incision along the mammary fold. However, since then, I have known many women who have had the incision around the areola and who were able to breastfeed absolutely perfectly. Discuss this list of incision options with your surgeon.

INCISION POINTS

Areola

Mammary Fold

Armpit

Belly Button

Does under the muscle or over the muscle have any effect on the ability to breast feed? Placement of the implant does not seem to have much effect on breastfeeding. However in a few case studies women who had the implant above the muscle had a higher percentage of women who had inadequate milk supply than those that had the implants under the muscle.

For women who may need a breast lift or a breast lift with augmentation, is it still possible to breastfeed? Once again the answer is yes but you do have a slightly higher risk of having inadequate milk supply which could be caused by a milk duct being severed or blocked during the surgery. During a lifting procedure the surgeon does not remove any glandular tissue he only removes excess skin under and around the areola and moves the nipple up. The surgeon does not at any time sever the nipple from the breast and underlying glandular tissue which is a common misconception. Again, it is imperative to discuss your plans to breastfeed in the future with your surgeon to make sure he takes extra care during this procedure.

A breast reduction is a much more invasive surgery than an implant or lift. The surgeon during this procedure removes excess skin, fat and sometimes glandular tissue. He then reshapes the breasts and lifts the nipples to a higher position. There are some women who report being able to breastfeed after a breast reduction however you may want to wait to get this procedure until after your last child has weaned or just be prepared that you may not be able to breastfeed in the future.