Will Breast Implants Interfere with Breastfeeding?

Many women are interested in enhancing their silhouette. If you are considering breast augmentation surgery but plan on having children in the future, it is important to learn how implants could affect nursing. During your consultation with board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Phillip Dauwe, we take the time to help you understand breast augmentation side effects, including whether breastfeeding with implants is possible.

So, can you breastfeed with breast implants? This depends on a number of factors, including how the procedure is performed and the skill of your plastic surgeon. Phillip Dauwe, M.D. Plastic Surgery is proud to have worked with countless women before and after having children. You can rest assured we take the appropriate steps to preserve your ability to breastfeed. Contact us to learn more and schedule a private consultation in Dallas, TX.

Can you breastfeed with breast implants?

This is one of the most common questions we receive at our clinic. Whenever possible, Dr. Dauwe recommends women wait until they have completed their families before undergoing plastic surgery. This is because breastfeeding often alters the cosmetic appearance of the breasts. However, most experts agree that implants generally do not interfere with nursing. During a personal assessment and examination, we can address any potential breast augmentation side effects, including the changes to your breasts and body.

What about damaged milk ducts?

Every plastic surgery does carry some risk. One of the possible complications of breast augmentation includes damage to the milk ducts or nerves. Unfortunately, severed nerves could reduce the overall amount of milk supply to the breasts, preventing you from nursing. Damaged milk ducts are sometimes caused by a periareolar incision in the tissue, or an incision made near the areola and nipple.

In Dallas, TX, Phillip Dauwe, M.D. Plastic Surgery offers several incision types for breast surgery based on your anatomy and personal goals. Incisions can easily be placed through the fold beneath your breast or through your armpit. Once we determine the best way to move forward with your procedure, Dr. Dauwe can make sure to avoid the milk ducts so that breastfeeding with implants is possible.

Are implants safe for my baby?

Saline and silicone breast implants are both FDA-approved devices that have been proven safe to use in patients for many years. One topic of concern is if implants pose any health risks to their newborns. Fortunately, it is not possible for breast implant materials to contaminate breast milk, even if a patient has an implant rupture. Leaking saline is absorbed back into the body, while silicone generally remains intact when broken. Currently, there is no evidence to support the idea that breast augmentation side effects will harm a nursing child.

Schedule breast augmentation surgery

When it comes to breastfeeding with implants, Phillip Dauwe, M.D. Plastic Surgery takes every possible precaution to make sure you are successful following surgery. Offering many cosmetic and reconstructive procedures, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Phillip Dauwe is considered an expert in this area and is ready to provide answers to your questions. Because we value each patient, we go out of our way to help you through the decision-making process. Contact our state-of-the-art clinic in Dallas, TX, to learn what we have to offer.