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Breast Implants and Pregnancy: 5 Things You Should Know

By Scott Miller, MD

Published on August 09, 2007

1. Implants do not interfere with pregnancy.

Most breast implants have a soft silicone shell filled with saline water. Many implanted medical devices are made from this same nonreactive material. Breast implants do not harm or pose a risk to normal pregnancy in any way.

2. Pregnancy does not interfere with the implants.

While pregnancy does not remove the possibility of rare events such as deflation or hardening, there are no unusual implant complications during pregnancy. While the breasts will usually increase in size during pregnancy (a process called engorgement), this does not involve or affect the implants themselves.

3. Most women can breast-feed following breast augmentation.

While some may supplement with formula, this is common in women without implants as well. None of the incisions commonly used prevent breast-feeding. Implant placement under the muscle allows for an extra layer of protection between the implants and the milk ducts, better mammograms, and a more natural look and feel.

4. Augmented breasts are more resistant to the loss of volume and shape that often accompanies pregnancy and breast-feeding.

In these cases, the skin can be stretched while the breast tissue volume is diminished. The result is sagging with loss of shape as well as volume. Because the augmented breasts maintain more of their volume (the implant volume does not decrease), women with implants are less likely to see such drastic changes.

5. You need a qualified plastic surgeon certified by the American board of Plastic Surgery, who has the knowledge, judgement, and experience necessary to obtain the best possible result for your individual body type and lifestyle.

While a standard augmentation may be all that is necessary, many women need adjustments in shape as well as size. Some even require lifting (mini, moderate, or full). Only a surgeon with training and experience in all aspects of surgery of the breast is qualified to assess and treat this need. Often, unqualified surgeons who are unaware or incapable of all options perform augmentation without a breast lift. For breasts women with sagging, poorly supported breasts, the breast augmentation procedure on its own is not enough. As a result, the breasts will have a heavy appearance and hang low. This unsatisfactory result leaves most women disappointed. Your plastic surgeon should listen to your concerns and develop an individualized plan to avoid such problems and increase the likelihood of an outstanding result.

These tips were provided by Dr. Scott Miller. Dr. Miller is an attending surgeon at Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla, California. He is a Voluntary Clinic Instructor of Plastic Surgery at the University of California, San Diego and has authored numerous articles in Plastic and Reconstructive surgery. He is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

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Keyword Tags: breast implants, breast augmentation, pregnancy

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Comments

1

I am considering breast augmentation, I have wanted to increase the size of my breast and look after breast feeding. But, I want one more child. I want to know what the result on my implants will be. Any recomendations will be greatly appriciated.

Sarah
about 1 year ago

2

I had breast augmentation booked for may of 2008. I was trying to have this surgery since April of 2007. I found out in January of 2008 that i was pregnant. Can i still have the surgery? Or do i have to wait until after i have the baby... My due date is september 14, 2008. How long do I have to wait after delievery? I really want these implants and it's now 2.5 years i've been waiting! please let me know

adriana
about 1 year ago

3

Of course you have to wait. You can't be "put under" while you are pregnant. Your not even suppose to drink caffine when you pregnant let alone be put to sleep for a cosmetic surgery. Have you ever heard of a woman getting breast implants when they're 6 months pregnant??? DUH! Do some research on pregnancy and on breast implants!!

to adriana
about 1 year ago

4

I had augmentation in May 2002. I'm about 4 months pregnant now, and my chest started hurting about 3 days ago. It hurts to take a deep breathe and it hurts when i cough, but it only hurts through the front of my chest area and not my ribs in the back. Is there anyway of my implants rupturing?? Will the soreness in my chest walls go away?

Carrie
about 1 year ago

5

I had breast augmentation 1/31/08. I have just found out that I am pregnant, unplanned obviously. What does this mean for the baby (as the fertility date was right before my surgery date) and for my new breasts? Any help, info, or advice would be appreciated.

hillary
about 1 year ago

6

hi, i am 18 weeks pregnant and in had breast augmentation and rhinoplasty in August last year.
I was so dissapointed with my results i am having my implants removed and nose revised next week.. There goes the theory of no general in pregnancy.
My obstetrician and anethestist are both happy for me to go ahead.

kristy
about 1 year ago

7

Hillary wrote "I had breast augmentation (date). I have just found out that I am pregnant, unplanned obviously. What does this mean for the baby (as the fertility date was right before my surgery date) and for my new breasts? Any help, info, or advice would be appreciated.
hillary, 10 days ago "

Ironically, I am in exactly the same situation as Hillary, but my date of conception was 6 weeks prior to my surgery date. (due to a very irregular cycle and polycistic ovaries I had no idea there was even a possibility of being pregnant)
Please can you provide me with an answer to the same question as I am worried about both the baby and my breasts.

Thankyou.
Becky

becky
about 1 year ago

8

Hello I am considering getting breast augmentation. I have had 4 children already. I have not ruled out 1 more. As I love all of children so much. The timing has never been better. Financially I am ready. As well as mentally. My question is if I decided to have another child in 2-3 years how would that affect my implants? I will more than likely not breastfeed. Thanks for any info you can give.

Melanie
about 1 year ago

9

I spoke to my doctor about having children post-augmentation. The surgery company I was having my op with wouldn't give me a straight answer, only that "we couldn't say how your body would change with a second pregnancy, but you could always have a second augmentation/lift if needed".
My doctor said that they were just covering themselves incase they told me there'd be no change in the breast and there was. He told me that even if my breasts swelled temporarily during the post-op pregnancy, that they would always have the benefit of the implant and would never sag or lose volume as much as previously, I would always have the fullness of my new breasts, but yes, they may just 'relax' slightly. He told me to go ahead with the procedure and not worry about future pregnancies affecting me too much

Sharon

sharon
about 1 year ago

10

Hi, I just found out yesterday that I am 3 weeks pregnant. I also have implants 390cc. I know my boobs will enlarge but I just don't know how big!! Is there a pill that is safe to take while pregnant to prevent engorgement?

Gina
about 1 year ago

11

I had implants inserted twice in the last 18 years and then became pregnant. After having my child and breast feeding the muscle of the breasts have become rippled and the implant outline is visible i now have to have them redone. I will be having either a laser lift but the scarring is too much or a titanium internal bra fitted in istanbul to help life the breast as they have the apperance of a bag of water being held. I would do your baby making first and then have the augmentation.

elisabeth
about 1 year ago

12

Hello, I had my breast implants put in about 4 years ago. I am currently trying to get pregnant. Can you tell me, did any of you who are or were pregnant experience any breast or nipple soreness before knowing you were pregnant? ----- Just looking for symptoms ----- Thanks

Melissa
about 1 year ago

13

Melissa,

I have that very same question; although, most of the questions asked are "floating through my mind." I wonder, wonder, wonder ... If you or anyone has the answer to Melissa's question, please, please let us know!

India-Ariel
about 1 year ago

14

I had breast augmentation 1 year ago and in the middle of the surgery they discovered I was pregnant. They said the test showed negative and the magically changed to positive. I wouldn't have had the surgery if I had known. Does anyone know if a doctor is required to test prior to performing the surgery? I am worried about the long term health affects on my baby.

I also am unhappy with the look of my breasts as they sag from the pregnancy. The doctor said he is willing to give me a breast lift for free and it makes me wonder why. Any thoughts??

Jamie
about 1 year ago

15

Hi Jamie,

I am in a same situation you are. I was only few days pregnant when I got my breast done. My baby was born at 35 weeks and she is doing fine. However my breast doesn't look good at all and the thing is minutes before my surgery I said to my doctor that I wanted to have the pregnancy test before, we had, but it was a urine test and it did no detected the pregnancy. Well, the doctor said that I should not worry because he would take care of me. However, I went to his office last week and he said he is not responsible and he would only give me a discount. I could not believe! Now I will look for an attorney to represent my case, since I spent all the money, went through a lot during pregnancy and after and now I have my breast sagged and with a bad scar.
This is my e-mail: locarminati@aol.com. Let me know if you have any new about the responsibilities on this cases.

Thanks

lia
about 1 year ago

16

I am having breast augmentation and a breast lift next month, I was wondering how long I should wait before I get pregnant again.I already have two kids but my breasts shrunk and sag now. Also did anyone get pregnant after a lift and implants if so, what happened to your breasts, any big changes?

jen
about 1 year ago

17

I had my breast augmentation on march 19th 2008. My husband and I have 3 great kids and thought we were done. Now we are talking about trying again. I would love to have another baby, but I do not want to have surgery again. Can anyone tell me how badly it would affect my breast? Thanks

Jennifer
about 1 year ago

18

Hi, i have just found out that i am 7 weeks pregnant and had surgery a week ago.....does anyone know if the surgery or going "under" is going to affect the health of my baby? thanks

Sophie
about 1 year ago

19

i had augmentation in May of 07. I am now 35 weeks pregnant and my implants look terrible. I went from a b to a D with the surgery and with the pregnancy my breast have gotten even larger. My breast are very hard and one became higher than the other. If they dont go back to the normal size and return back to its shape, i will be getting them done again shorty after i deliver. I recommend everyone to finish having kids first. Breast implants are expensive!!!

MOMMY of 3
about 1 year ago

20

i have just had a baby 8 months ago and want to have my breast lifted and if need be filled. i am also planning on having another baby..What will happen to my breast?

alex
about 1 year ago

21

Mommy of 3, can you let us know what happens after you give birth. I had a breast lift and implants and still planning to have another one. Just want to know what to expect.

jen
about 1 year ago

22

I am in the same situation as a few other women on here. I have 3 kids and am wanting 1, maybe 2 more. However, through the last 3 pregnancies and breastfeeding, I have totally lost breast volume and shape. I am also extremely lopsided. I was wanting to just have implants to help fill and even me out, however, the Dr I have met with, thinks I really need a lift now, knowing I will have another pregnancy in a year or so. How bad would just implants look on breasts that are sagging? Or what would pregnancy and breastfeeding do to a lift? Would I be totally wasting $6000?

Tracy
12 months ago

23

I had breast implants done 4 years ago an have given birth to my third child 7 months ago.. i am having terrible problems since giving birth.. They are swelling to hard rocks and i have developed abcess in them and am in severe pain.. i cant afford to have them removed and am terrified of health problems i may develope now..

Tracey
12 months ago

24

I am posting a message in regards to this one from kristy 10 months ago...

hi, i am 18 weeks pregnant and in had breast augmentation and rhinoplasty in August last year.
I was so dissapointed with my results i am having my implants removed and nose revised next week.. There goes the theory of no general in pregnancy.
My obstetrician and anethestist are both happy for me to go ahead.

I too just found out that I am 5 weeks pregnant and have implants that make me a 34D. I have heard that your breasts will almost double in size and I'm worried about excessive stretch marks. Is it really possible to have them removed while pregnant? This seems that this would be harmful to the baby....

Shannon
10 months ago

25

im 18
and i know im not a mum
but i do want children one day

i had my breasts done last year
32a to a 32d

im scared because i took a loan out for 5 years to cover this

if i got pregnant

how bad would they go

can someone please help me my doctor cannot ensure any correct answers for me

hannah
8 months ago

26

This message is for Hannah, I had my breast done january of 04. i went from a 34a to a 34c( submuscular), my breast looked great after and up untill my pregnancy. I had my beautiful little girl 8 mths ago. i tried to breast feed ( bad idea) i only breast fed for 3 weeks untill i found out she had acid reflux. now my breast are not saggy but they are what you call relaxed... i am not happy because they are not as firm as before and if i bend over they ripple slightley at the top... with that being said my husband is very happy with my breast now because they feel real and my breast now look like perky real brest instead of perky fake breast. The only advice I have and I am not positive it will work but if I could go back I would try:
1: not breast feeding at all ( I know this sounds bad, but my whole life untill my augmentation I had tried everything know to man to get breast and now they are just not as great)
2: wear a super tight sports bra( maybe even a size to small) 24/7 unless you are in the shower, then get out lotion up and put it back on asap.
3: if you do not breast feed and your milk comes in anyway still wear the sports bra, get cabbage leaves ( the soft part of the leaf not the vein part) crunch them up and place in your bra over the nipple and areola, replace every 3 hours. This sounds crazy but really works, it will dry up the milk and take the sorness away. also get an ace bandage and over the sports bra wrap yourself up super tight below and halfway up the breast ( wrap the bandage so that it pushes the breast upward like a push up bra).
This is all I can offer and I hope that it will work for you so that they will stay the same as they are now.

BRE
8 months ago

27

Hi everyone,
I came across this website in researching breast augmentation for a friend. This February 2009 has been two years since I have had my own breast augmentation surgery... I have always been an active woman, and I found that exercise was decreasing my breast size (which is why I had the surgery done). I am now 35 weeks pregnant, and my breast still look great. If anything, they're more voluptuous, and natural looking. I did get very few stretch marks at the beginning of my pregnancy, but they have completed faded... After the baby is born, I am going to continue exercising as much as I normally did. If you gain that much weight, and your boobs increase that much in size, ANYONE (regardless of a breast augmentation, or not) needs to exercise, strengthen and tone your breast muscles again... If you don't exercise, (preferably doing weight lifting for your chest muscles), your boobs would basically look like rocks in socks. You can make your boobs stay great looking, you just can't let them go un-attended.

Danielle
8 months ago

28

For Lia
I am sorry but I think it was your responsibility to check if you are pregnant or not.

olga
7 months ago

29

Hi i want to know if the pain for my breast that mean im pregnant,pleas try to email me via my email( ah_jadore@hotmail.com)

Hanan Ahmed
7 months ago

30

I had my 1st child in 2003. My breast Augmen... in 2005 and am about due with my 2nd child in 2009. I always wear a bra or sports bra. At night I always wear a sports bra to sleep. And take vitamin E pills for the skin located on my breast. If I don't take the pills the breast around my breast get dry and scab. Weird! Doctors orders... I hope they will still look great after my second child. I was told they will. Hope all works out for you ladies. I love them, my husband loves them and it hasn't changed me as a person on the inside but the temptation was there!

L.
7 months ago

31

ok I'm pregnant with my third baby but I'm an a- when it comes to my chest. I'am seriously flat, I wanted to know how long should I wait after given birth to get breast implants?

coco
6 months ago

32

i just found out i am pregnant and am supposed to be having a 2nd breast aug in 9 days due to a capsular contracture I got in a car accident..can they still put me under?

lola
6 months ago

33

Coco-
To answer your question about "how long after should you wait" that depends on if you decide to breastfeed. If you opt not to breast feed i would wait until you are TOTALLY sure ALL your swelling has gone down.. I had my little girl in Oct06, breast feed for 3 months, then got an augmentation in AUG07. After I got back to a normal size & realized that my boobs were "normal" again. i would prob wait atleast 6months.. YOU will not be able to care you for infant for a few days after your surgery..i recovered in 2days.. but that was pushing it.

Mandy
6 months ago

34

I think you should wait until at least the 1st pregnancy to have breast augmentation. Most likely you will need a redo after all your kids are born, but after you see how your boobs really change you can determine how long you should wait. I just got implants over a month ago and my daughter is 3. I never gained an oz of weight in my boobs until I nursed, then I kept that up for 10 months, mainly to keep the boobs and then when I stopped they were a cup sizer smaller than when I started out with. So I was not one of the lucky ones to get bigger boobs from pregnancy, but you may be that lucky one. Never know.

Amanda
6 months ago

35

First I just have to comment on Danielle #27's comment. Girl you have got to get a clue! this is your first baby and you are 3 months along? your boobs and your entire body will let you know who is boss during this pregnancy and you will look back at your comment on this page and laugh at yourself for trying to little miss know it all on a site where women have went through something that you have no idea about. Good Luck!

As for the real ladies out there, I had my surgery in April 2007 and thought we were through having babies. Our son was almost 4 and then in August we decided to have one more. with my surg I went from a 34c to a 34dd. I found out I was pregnant in Nov 2007 and by Feb I was a DDD! I didnt get any bigger thankfully but after I had our second son about three days after I came home from the hospital, I found a lump under my left arm which turned out to be a piece of breast tissue. I do not know if that has any bearing on my story or not but it was only about the size of a gumdrop but my left breast has dropped some and actually looks pretty good but my nipples are lopsided and I am very self concience in things that are low cut now without a bra because it is very noticable from the front and from the side that something is wrong.

I did go and see my surgeon and of course he blamed it on my pregnancy and like someone elses comment I read he didn't feel he had anything to do with it at all and simply offered me a discount on a second surgery. I guess I'm not sure if I did him a favor by not completely healing before getting pregnant because I feel like this shouldn't have happened anyway. 36year old boobs that have had a lift and implants just shouldn't look like this. And I took all precautions while I was pregnant. I don't think there was even one night that I didn't sleep without a heavy duty support bra on no matter how uncomfortable I got.

so that is my story, I don't know if it will help any of you but I wish I just would've waited to make sure my pregnancy days were over before I had my surgery because it isn't cheap and its not exactly fun either.

Cassie
5 months ago

36

I had my breast aug in 2003 after 4 months of giving birth. My doctor didnt even told me to rest and let my breast go back to its original size before i had the implants. I didn't like the result and asked my doctor to redo it but he declined. Now after 7 years I have experienced chest pains that I thought I was having a heart attack. Afraid to go to the hospital for an x-ray. Embarrassed to see the results and my breast seen on the x-ray. Can you see the implants on x-rays? too afraid to know. I really wanted to have it removed but afraid of the result. Had a bad scar too. Does having implants affects getting pregnant again? Been trying to get pregnant again but having difficulty. Afraid also of the pain when lactating and the breast becomes hard full of milk, so painful. Hope you could answer my questions. Thank you.

Rebecca
5 months ago

37

I am 27 and a 36 barely A. I have a consult appointment for augmentation on Friday. My #1 question is pregnancy and breast feeding. I have done lot's of research about breast feeding. I guess what I am getting at is that I will have a child in the next few years and some more maybe down the road. Should I wait to get implants or go ahead and do this for myself now. How much bigger will they get during pregnancy and will they still look good after pregnancy with the implants. I have wanted this for a long time. Please give me any advice!

Heidi
5 months ago

38

HI, I had 300CC implants in March 2008 taking me from a 32B to a 32DD, and unexpectidly fell pregnant in Oct 2008, I am now 35 wekks pregnant and now a 34DD, My skin has streatched severly and my breasts are now covered in streatch marks. To be honest they do look more natural, ( I guess because there is alot more of my own breast there now ) but I want my nice hard post pregnancy boobs back. My nipples have also increased a great deal... has anyone els encountered this too? I do want more children eventualy and think that i will most likly go under the knife AGAIN after I have had my kids. I realy wish I had waited.

Amanda
4 months ago

39

hi amanda. i also had implants and am now late for period. boobs sore but not same as previous pregnancies. can breast tenderness change due to implants? did you experience this?

alix
3 months ago

40

I am 23 years old and am thinking about having breast implants but am also hoping to have children in about 2 years time. My surgon told me that as i am only having 230cc implants and having them under the muscle that pregnancey should not really affect my breasts too much. I really want it done but don't no wheather to wait until i'v had children or at least 1 child to see how my body reacts to pregnancy?? Any advice would be appriciated!

Gemma
3 months ago

41

well im 24 yrs old i have a 5 yr old daughter and i had my son 8 months ago. i lost all of my baby weight i am thinking about getting my breast done... Before i got prego with any of my kids i was 110pounds and a full 34C breast.. i looked hella good but after my kiddos im a saggin 34B :( idk if im done having kids (but if i do it wont be until my son turns 5) but i really want to get my breast done.. should i wait or just say fU#K it and get them done???

cherise
3 months ago

42

Hi, basically same question as Heidi and Gemma... I'm 33yo and have never had children. I want to start trying to have a baby in the next year or two. I want to get implants now but am wondering if I should wait until after I have a baby.. only planning on having one and don't think I"m going to breast feed. Any advice would be great! thanks!

Kristin
3 months ago

43

Im 32 and had breast augmentation last December, taking me from a 34A to a 34D (335cc), I have a very slim frame and I regretted it soon after. I wish Id have gone for a small C cup instead.

Anyway since I found out I was pregnant in April (not planned, I already have a 3 year old), I have been muddling along in the same bra's, putting off having a new fitting, until today at 32 weeks I have just been to M&S and discovered that I am now a 36E and I shouldnt have been wearing underwired bra's whilst pregnant at all.

They have sagged somewhat and although they are what you would say more natural looking, they are still big and ugly to me.

I wish Id have wore a sports bra throughout the pregnancy trying to avoid the sagging, to be honest I wish I hadnt had them done at all! I will be having them smaller sometime in the not too distant future.

I would say to anyone with a skinny frame that if you like wearing small, tight size 8-10 tops, do not go to big, these no longer fit or just look stupid.

Kelly
29 days ago

44

Ive had implants and a lift as well as areola reductionafter my first 2 kids evrything added up to over 10 thousand and is looks awesome! I just found out I am 3 weeks pregnant, will this pregnancy effect my implants?and was it a waste of my money? I knew a friend who had implants and then had a baby her breast were sagging really bad with her implants to her belly. I am nervous of that happening... please help!

olivia
22 days ago

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