Can You Breastfeed With Implants? The Effects Of Breast Augmentation On Motherhood

Many women choose breast augmentation every year— it’s the most common plastic surgery procedure in the United States, in fact. However, many women wonder what an implant procedure’s effect will be if they ever decide to become pregnant and nurse a baby. We get asked this all the time here at HZ Plastic Surgery. Let’s take a look at what factors are involved in breastfeeding with implants.

Breast Implant Options

One of the most overlooked factors you should discuss in your consultation with your plastic surgeon is if you’re planning on having kids after your surgery or not. If there’s a possibility that you may still want to become pregnant, it might change what type of breast augmentation we recommend to you. Implants can be inserted in a number of different areas on the chest— under the armpit, across the front of the breast, or underneath the breast. As is natural with surgical sites, healed surgical scars can feel very different than the skin beforehand. This can directly impact nipple sensitivity and your breasts’ ability to produce a letdown.

There are also two different types of implants: silicone and saline. Saline implants are inflated with sterile saline after surgical placement; this means that a much smaller incision is necessary for the procedure. Silicone implants are large and require large incisions. You should choose your implants based on the “feeling” of tissue you are going for, but many patients also aim to minimize scarring.

Another factor to consider is the placement of the implant. At HZ Plastic Surgery, we can either insert your implants behind the muscle wall or in front of it. Generally speaking, patients find that implants interfere with breastfeeding less when they are behind the muscle fascia. This placement also tends to keep the implants in place better. We’ll discuss both of these options during your consultation. 

Will My Breasts Change During Pregnancy?

The majority of women experience changes in their breasts when pregnant— this is due to the explosion of hormones that happens while you grow a human from scratch! Many women also gain weight during pregnancy, and weight gain can significantly affect the size and outer skin of your breasts. It’s not unheard of for implants to shift with the changes that pregnancy brings, although implants placed behind the muscle layer will be more likely to stay put. Keep in mind, however, that we do offer full mommy makeovers that can address these issues and get your pre-pregnancy body back. 

How Breast Implants Affect Breastfeeding

The main concern from a physiological standpoint is how your surgery will affect nipple and breast sensitivity. These are important in the natural process of breastfeeding— infants instinctively knead and nuzzle the breast to help stimulate letdown. If sufficient nerve endings have been damaged, you may find that breastfeeding doesn’t come naturally. Additionally, incisions near or involving the nipple can cause pain and inhibit a mother’s desire to continue breastfeeding— even if the pain isn’t from physical damage.

Do Silicone Implants Affect Breast Milk?

The good news is that implants do not affect breast milk. Even in the unlikely event that an implant leaks or ruptures, the milk ducts and mammary glands are separate from the implant. There’s actually far more silicone in formula than the milk of a mother with silicone implants. 

Breast Augmentation in Orlando

Are you ready to finally get the breasts you’ve been dreaming of? Here at HZ Plastic Surgery in Orlando, Florida, we’ll discuss your specific needs— including whether or not you’d ever like to have children! We want to make sure your augmentation suits your lifestyle just right. Give us a call to schedule a consultation with one of our breast augmentation experts today!