Whether you’re planning to get implants, or you already have them and are expecting a baby, it’s natural to wonder whether breast implants will affect your ability to breastfeed or harm your implants. The good news is you very likely can breastfeed, and your implants aren’t generally damaged by breastfeeding. However, there are some important things to think about when it comes to breastfeeding with implants.
What does the implant surgery have to do with protecting my ability to breastfeed?
For most women, typical breast enlargement in Beverly Hills will likely keep your breastfeeding ability intact. To take extra precautions, speak with your surgeon ahead of time and tell them that you want to ensure that you can breastfeed in the future. Your surgeon will avoid moving the tissues involved in milk production, avoiding the ducts and glands that produce milk after your baby is born. Incision placement will also be factored into your custom surgical plan. A breast implant surgery that keeps the areola, the darker skin around your nipple, intact is less likely to cause problems with lactation.
Implant placement is another factor that should be considered during breast implant surgery. If the implants are placed too close to the breast tissue in key areas, they may put pressure on the milk glands and negatively affect your milk production. Implants that are inserted underneath the chest muscle keep the implant away from direct tissue contact and pressure.
Do breast implants affect lactation?
Breast implants may affect lactation depending on the incision placement and other factors. The nerves around your nipples are an important part of breastfeeding. When a baby suckles at the breast, the hormone prolactin and oxytocin levels are increased. The prolactin hormone triggers the breast to produce milk. The oxytocin hormone triggers the “letdown” of the milk, which allows the milk to flow through the nipple and into the baby’s mouth.
If the nerves around the nipple are damaged, the sensation is reduced, and when the baby suckles, the body may not recognize the sensation enough to adequately increase the levels of prolactin and oxytocin to produce and let down the milk.
Incision placement is key when it comes to retaining nipple sensitivity. Incisions made at the crease under the breast or through the belly button or armpit are more likely to protect the nerves, limiting interference with breastfeeding.
Does breastfeeding damage breast implants?
Generally, breastfeeding does not damage breast implants. Your implants are protected by your breast tissue and often the chest muscles. Your nursing baby will not harm or be able to bite the implants. The milk glands swelling and producing milk are also not likely to shift or affect the implants.
Is it safe for my baby to breastfeed if I have breast implants?
There is limited research on this subject. However, it is generally agreed upon in the medical community that there is no safety concern for a baby breastfeeding from breasts with implants, whether saline or silicone.
According to the CDC, the statement made by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) in 2001 regarding the Transfer of Drugs and Other Chemicals into Human Milk indicated that there was insufficient evidence to justify classifying silicone implants as a danger to breastfeeding infants.
Breast implants are placed behind the glands. This means that the milk ducts and milk glands are rarely affected by the implants. The silicone used in modern silicone implants is unlikely to leach into breast milk. If a saline implant ruptures, you will know immediately.
Dr. Shafa–your breast implant specialist
Dr. Brian Shafa is an outstanding breast surgeon in Beverly Hills. He is known for understanding nature, skillful, modern techniques, and beautiful results. His focus and attention to detail ensure results are precise and nuanced, providing women enhancement that brings out their unique beauty. Women who have breast surgery with Dr. Shafa are in the hands of a truly compassionate and caring doctor who will always go the extra mile to ensure their results are second-to-none.