Can You Breastfeed with Breast Implants?

In 2020, over 193,073 American women received breast augmentation surgery, making it the fifth most popular cosmetic surgical procedure.

This continues its popularity as one of the most common cosmetic procedures performed.

But is it safe for mothers or women who expect to have children in the future? Yes!

As a mother or expecting mother, you may be unsure if you are the right kind of candidate for breast augmentation surgery. You may question whether or not this procedure is safe for breastfeeding.

The good news is that breastfeeding is absolutely safe for women with breast implants, and doesn’t negatively affect the shape or appearance of the breast implants.

While there are some risks associated with breast augmentation surgery, the odds are extremely low of developing breastfeeding difficulties due to breast implants.

If you’ve ever considered breast implant surgery but were unsure of how it would affect your pregnancy or breastfeeding, then keep reading. Learn more about enhancement surgery, recovery time, and when to pick the right time to get implants.

How Do Breast Implants Work and What Does the Procedure Entail?

Before any surgery can take place, you must first meet with Dr. Emmett for your one-on-one initial consultation.

During this hour-long appointment, you will have the opportunity to discuss with Dr. Emmett your goals for results and try out different implant sizes in front of a mirror.

Dr. Emmett will review your medical history and also discuss with you the potential risks involved with the surgery. She will then show you before and after photos and take measurements for her medical records. 

If you plan on becoming pregnant in the future or are pregnant, let Dr. Emmett know so she can use this information to guide her operative plan. If you are healthy enough for surgery, Dr. Emmett will plan your surgery date.

During surgery, you will be placed under general anesthesia to be in a pain-free unconscious state. Depending on the operative plan for your specific body type and goals, Dr. Emmett will create an inframammary incision beneath the breast crease to place the implant under or above the breast muscle. 

Once the implants have been inserted, Dr. Emmett will carefully close and suture the incisions and protect them with medical tape.

How Long is Recovery?

Recovery time after breast augmentation takes around 6-8 weeks. It will take an additional 3-6 months after recovery for the breast implants to finally settle into place and begin filling out the breasts.

During the 6-8 week recovery time, patients are advised to avoid any strenuous lifting or exercise and focus on healing their incisions around their chest and breast area. 

While breastfeeding may be safe, parents should take recovery time into account as well. After healing has finished, patients can resume their regular daily activities.

Dr. Emmett will prescribe you pain medication to help during the initial healing period to help with the discomfort of bruising and swelling following your surgery.

Can You Breastfeed with Breast Implants? 

The answer is yes! 

The vast majority of women who receive breast implants have no difficulties breastfeeding their children. 

Breastfeeding does not alter and negatively affect breast implants size or shape. It is possible that your breasts’ appearance and lift may be affected after breastfeeding. However, this is caused by the body’s change in hormones and weight caused by the pregnancy, not from the breast implants themselves.

Mothers also don’t need to worry about silicone or saline leaking into their breast milk. There is no evidence of increased birth defects in babies born to mothers with breast implants.

As with all surgeries, there are potential risks to be aware of. These include:

• Changes in breast and nipple sensation
• Possibly requiring revisional or corrective surgery
• Capsular contracture, which is scar tissue forming around the implant
• Possible decreased milk production from areola nerve damage

When is the Right Time to Get This Procedure — Before or After Kids?

You can’t always plan the perfect time to get breast augmentation surgery. 

We’ve had patients who got breast implants and then became pregnant unexpectedly several months later.

We’ve also had several women receive a “mommy makeover” after their pregnancy. This option is popular for women who desire to get their pre-pregnancy body back and it combines a breast lift, breast augmentation, and a tummy tuck.

If you plan on being a mother in the near future, make sure to bring this up during your initial consultation with Dr. Emmett. 

She can use this information to help guide her operative plan and determine where your implants will be placed, either above or below the breast muscle.

How Long Do Implants Last?

Today’s new and improved breast implants use stronger materials and better designs to last longer than ever before, anywhere from 10 to 20 years. Some women have had their implants longer than 25 years even.

Breast implants don’t come with an expiration date, although the FDA does not consider breast implants to be lifetime devices. This means it’s likely you’ll require a revisional surgery somewhere in the distant future.

The main problem women experience with older breast implants is an increased risk of leakage over time.

As long as the implants feel fine and don’t have any issues, theoretically, they can last indefinitely. 

Schedule Your Breast Implant Consultation Today

Dr. Jennifer Emmett is a Colorado-based Double-Board certified plastic surgeon serving the greater Denver and Centennial areas.

She has been recognized as a Top Doctor by Castle Connolly and has over 20 years of experience in cosmetic and enhancement surgery.

Dr. Emmett and her staff of high-level RNs, surgical assistants, and clinical specialists excel in breast augmentation, facial surgery, and body contouring procedures.

Curious what others have to say about their experience? Read our patient testimonials to see how Emmett Plastic Surgery has helped countless women achieve their breast implant goals.

If you’ve ever considered breast augmentation and breast implants, then schedule your initial consultation with Dr. Emmett today. If you have other questions or concerns about how to breastfeed with breast implants, make sure to voice them during your consultation.

Call (303) 955-7545 or contact us online to see what kind of results are possible with breast augmentation surgery.