Nowadays breast implants are quite common, and there is plenty of information available about them and the breast augmentation procedure. Still, there are women who worry about having this procedure performed because they don’t know how the implants will affect their ability to breastfeed.
Once you have set your mind on breast augmentation surgery, it is only natural to look for details and also to express your worries about how the implants will affect breastfeeding.
Is it possible to breastfeed after a breast augmentation surgery?
The short answer would be yes: breastfeeding is still an option after the breast enhancement procedure. The breast has three layers: the skin, the mammary glands with adipose tissue, and the pectoral muscle. In the case of women who want to breastfeed, the implant will be introduced under the pectoral muscle. Hence, it will not affect the flow of maternal milk. The ability to breastfeed after breast augmentation surgery is directly dependent upon the placement of the implants. As long as the mammary glands stay intact, there is no danger in breastfeeding after the breast augmentation surgery. Of course, this means you will have to tell your doctor before the procedure is scheduled that you plan to breastfeed in the future. To make sure the implants’ placement is correct, always choose an experienced doctor who knows full well what he is doing in the operating room.
If the nerves around the areola are affected by the surgery, there can be issues with breastfeeding because these nerves transmit to the brain the message to release oxytocin and prolactin, the hormones responsible for milk production. Another side effect of an incorrect operation is damage to the galactophorous channels that are responsible for transporting the milk. A different risk, this time not related to the experience or talent of the plastic surgeon, can occur if the implants are too big, as they can reduce the quantity of milk that can be expressed.
Are there any risks to the baby if the mother has breast implants?
The specialists in plastic surgery all agree there is no risk to the baby if the mother has undergone a breast augmentation procedure. The implants do not break during breastfeeding, and even if they are affected by a trauma during the time when you breastfeed, this won’t affect the baby’s health in any way. However, if this event occurs, it is important to contact your plastic surgeon right away to assess the situation.
While breast augmentation surgery generally doesn’t affect breastfeeding, it is more ideal to have this intervention done after you have become a mother, so that your breasts won’t suffer any changes after the surgery. The experts recommend active and intense care of breasts with implants during pregnancy and breastfeeding. The breasts need hydration, and a supplement with vitamin C can help you through this time; it will help with the synthesis of collagen, which can reduce the occurrence of stretch marks.