Many women find themselves concerned about whether or not having breast implants can influence their ability to breastfeed. Whether you’ve already breastfed one child and you want to get implants but want to get pregnant again one day, or you haven’t had children yet, breast augmentation surgery is still a possibility for you. You should be perfectly capable of breastfeeding, even with implants. Below, we’ve covered everything you need to know about breastfeeding with implants and some common concerns.
Is breastfeeding with implants something to worry about?
You may have heard that it isn’t possible to breastfeed with implants. However, this is actually false. You should be perfectly capable of breastfeeding your baby. Most breast augmentation surgeries don’t actually affect the milk ducts because the implants are placed between the chest wall and the breast, leaving the structure of the breast alone.
If you plan to get pregnant in the future and want to breastfeed, this shouldn’t stop you from getting implants now.
“Studies have shown that the percentage of women who are able to breastfeed is statistically the same in women with implants as those without. So if you have implants and want to breastfeed, you should be able to. I personally breastfed for almost four years with implants that had been placed through the nipple.” – Dr. Cat Begovic.
How Will Breastfeeding Affect My Breasts if I Already Have Implants?
Breastfeeding with implants may seem intimidating for women who already have breast implants and are concerned about how it may affect them. Luckily, breastfeeding will not have a negative effect on the implants themselves, given that the natural tissue of your breast protects your implants. If your breasts have sagging and dropping due breastfeeding and the effects of weight gain and weight loss during and after pregnancy, you may need to do a revision after pregnancy.
Another concern that typically pops up relating to breastfeeding and implants is the concern of exposing your baby to silicone. Although some silicone may be present in the breast milk of a woman with implants, it is much less than the exposure everyone already experiences daily from food and plastic containers.
“Also, women ask me if babies get exposed to silicone. We have silicone exposure everyday- cooking spray, deodorant, and most containers have silicone. The amount you are exposed to from implants Is much less than everyday exposure. Studies measured silicone in breast milk and found it to have less silicone than baby’s formula and even less than cow’s milk (from the store).” – Dr. Cat Begovic.
Breast Augmentation vs. Breast Lift in Beverly Hills
Many women choose to get breast surgery after having children because of the effect that breastfeeding can have on the shape of the breasts. Because pregnancy causes rapid gaining and loss of weight, this causes the skin to stretch and can cause breasts to droop and lose their natural shape.
Breast augmentation surgery involves using breast implants to change the size and shape of breasts. This common breast procedure is ideal for women of all ages but tends to be popular for women following pregnancy since it can restore the shape of the breasts prior to having children.
A breast lift is a similar type of surgery that helps elevate and reshape the breasts by removing excess skin. Breast lift surgery can be combined with breast implants to help increase the size of the breasts, alter the shape, and add a lift to the breasts as well. Because breast surgeries such as breast augmentation and breast lifts offer many different options, Dr. Cat can help plan a surgery that works best for your specific needs.
Before undergoing breast augmentation, Dr. Cat will help you select the best-sized implants by allowing you to test out different sizes by placing them inside your bra. There are always limitations with each person’s anatomy as to what range will fit properly on their body and also considerations based on what type of look they are trying to achieve and that is what Dr. Cat will discuss and help you with.
What if I Want to Get Implants but Plan to Have More Children?
A common concern amongst women considering getting breast implants is the possibility of having more children after undergoing breast surgery. Although breastfeeding is highly unlikely to affect your implants, it can still stretch the skin surrounding the breasts, which can cause drooping and changes to the shape of the breast. Even if you don’t breastfeed, pregnancy itself can cause changes to the shape and size of the breasts.
Regardless of the impending changes that come with having children, you don’t have to wait until you’re finished having children to get implants. Many women who wait to get implants find themselves wishing they would have decided to get them sooner. It is often recommended that women get breast implants at a time in their lives when they are likely to enjoy them the most – typically, this means sooner is better than later.
Although there is a chance that future pregnancies could affect the size and shape of your breasts, every woman is different, and there is no telling how you will adapt and respond to pregnancy. There are also additional procedures that can address any issues you face down the line.
Breast Augmentation in Beverly Hills
Dr. Cat Begovic is a board-certified plastic surgeon who performs a variety of procedures, including breast lift with implants. Her private practice is located in Los Angeles, and she works meticulously to help her patients feel their best with state-of-the-art cosmetic surgeries. Breast augmentation and breast lifts are more common procedures amongst women, especially those who have experienced pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Whether you’ve already had children and are seeking breast surgery to help with the lasting effects or hope to breastfeed in the future, Dr. Cat is ready and willing to take all of your needs into consideration to help you select the best surgical procedure for you.
There’s no denying that motherhood has an impact on the body. After making the ultimate sacrifice of bringing a child into the world, mothers deserve to get back to looking and feeling like themselves again. If you’re interested in getting a breast augmentation in Los Angeles, feel free to schedule a free consultation today to ask all questions you may have about b4reastfeeding with Implants to find out how we can best help you on your journey to looking and feeling your absolute best.
