Can I Breastfeed With Implants?
By Miguel Yanez | Published on March 12, 2010 | 0 Comments
When it comes to the female form, biology tends to be more generous towards some women than it is to others – particularly in the breast area. As such, some women have no choice but to take matters into their own hands – or, rather, put them into the hands of a capable plastic surgeon. While the idea of breast augmentation is enticing to many, some women can’t help but wonder whether such elective surgery will impede their ability to breastfeed at some point later on in life. Dr. Miguel Yanez is a cosmetic surgeon with board certification at Charlotte, North Carolina’s Piedmont Plastic Surgery & Dermatology, and according to him, women who get implants should, under most circumstances, have no problem breastfeeding at some point in the future.
While many women might take comfort in the fact that breast augmentation should not interfere with their breastfeeding capabilities, Dr. Yanez does advise that women plan on waiting for a bit of time before breastfeeding following their surgeries. Although breast augmentation generally does not prevent women from breastfeeding later on life, anyone considering the procedure should be advised that there are always exceptions to this particular rule. For women who have breast implants put in via the areola incision method, there is, based on recorded incidents, a slightly higher risk of associated problems with respect to breastfeeding. However, such complications are truly rare and by no means constitute the norm. Furthermore, if a woman were to have a problem with breastfeeding following an areola incision, then the issue would likely be limited to a single breast, not both – in which case, breastfeeding would still be possible.
Of course, if the ability to breastfeed is of a patient’s utmost concern, then certain breast augmentation methods can help circumvent the issue. Surgeons can go transaxillary, which involves making a small incision in the crease of the armpit. Another option is to use the inframammary incision method, which entails going in through the breast fold area. Any patient who is anxious about the potential for complications with breastfeeding should discuss these alternative methods of breast augmentation with her plastic surgeon.
Most doctors will admit that any type of surgical procedure comes with a degree of risk. However, when it comes to implants, it’s important for women to understand that statistically speaking, they do not necessarily have to choose between breast augmentation and the ability to breastfeed in the future.
The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.
Tags: breast augmentation, breast implants, breastfeed, breastfeeding
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*Disclaimer: The information on this website is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.