Breast Implants and Pregnancy

Many women have considered undergoing breast augmentation surgery at some point. However, those in their teens, 20s, and 30s are concerned that breast implants will interfere with pregnancy in the future. Fortunately, the breast augmentation procedure will not impair a woman's ability to get pregnant or maintain a healthy pregnancy. Conversely, women that have already had children may be unhappy with the affect that pregnancy and breastfeeding had on the breasts. The breast augmentation procedure can safely restore shape and volume to the breasts, improving each patient's post-pregnancy figure.

Breast Implants Do Not Affect Pregnancy

For many parents, the decision to try and conceive is an emotional time when hopeful couples will likely have a multitude of concerns about how their health and lifestyles will affect their ability to successfully become pregnant. The good news is that the breast augmentation procedure does not affect a woman's reproductive system. It will neither decrease nor increase a woman's chances of becoming pregnant. Millions of women have undergone breast implant surgery prior to getting pregnant and having children.

Breast Implants and Breastfeeding

One of the most common questions young women have for plastic surgeons is whether the breast augmentation procedure will affect their ability to breastfeed in the future. In the vast majority of cases, the placement of breast implants will not impede the breastfeeding process. The incisions made during breast augmentation surgery do not disrupt the milk ducts.

The most common problem implants pose to a woman's ability to breastfeed her child is inadequate breast milk production. Though the milk ducts remain intact and a mother remains capable of producing a full supply of milk, if any permanent nerve damage has taken place as a result of breast enlargement surgery, hormonal signals to the brain that trigger milk production may not be received. A woman's body depends on the nerves in her breast to sense her baby suckling, which signal to the brain that more milk is needed.

Another very rare complication that can occur is the leaking of breast implants into the breast milk. Most implants are filled saline instead of silicone; saline is not considered dangerous if ingested by a feeding baby. Mothers can test their milk for traces of silicone. Any mother concerned about how her silicone breast implants may affect her milk is encouraged to test regularly both for the health of her child and her own peace of mind.

As always, the best way to ensure that your breast implants will give you satisfying results without interfering with your ability to breastfeed is to select a plastic surgeon you trust. Never hesitate to fully explore your prospective surgeon's qualifications, credentials, and track record before committing to breast enlargement surgery, or to voice your concerns in great detail during your initial consultation.

Breast Implants after Pregnancy

Many women find that their breasts have lost their youthful shape after having children. Breast augmentation can increase the size of the breasts, while breast lift surgery can be performed to change the position of the nipple, restoring a perky, youthful look to a woman's bust line.

Many women, after deciding they do not with to have any more children, decide to mark the occasion by treating themselves to a breast enlargement surgery. This can often be incorporated into the popular mommy makeover procedure, which often combines breast procedures with liposuction, abdominoplasty (tummy tuck), and other body lift procedures to counteract the loose skin and sagging that can occur after pregnancy. The popularity of post-pregnancy plastic surgery treatment continues to gain popularity as mothers choose to reclaim their youthful figures after giving birth.

Of course, the experience of pregnancy can cause a woman's breasts to change size and shape. If a woman had breast implants before pregnancy, they may no longer complement her breasts in a way she finds flattering or satisfactory. In this case, many women choose to have their breast implants removed, or have different implants placed to once again achieve a bust line they feel complements their figure.

Visit the DocShop gallery to view more breast augmentation before and after photos.

Photo credit: Pacific Plastic Surgery

Contact a Plastic Surgeon

Breast enlargement surgery carries risks, including potential complications that can take place when trying to breast feed. Though these risks are minimal, couples wishing to become parents usually wish to eliminate even the slightest possibility of complications of any kind taking place at any point before or after childbirth. If you have breast implants, or if you are considering having implants placed, and you are concerned about how they might affect your ability to breast feed your child, the very best thing to do is schedule a consultation with a plastic surgeon. Contact a plastic surgeon in your area to learn more about your options.