Can You Still Breastfeed After Breast Augmentation?

Anyone considering breast augmentation may want to think about the future of their breasts, and what they might be needed for. This has nothing to do with the intended increase in size you're hoping to achieve, and instead is about parenthood. If you're planning to have a baby, will you be able to breastfeed after your breasts have been augmented?

Your Lactiferous Duct

Although post-augmentation breastfeeding is possible, the procedure may result in some complications, depending on the method used. The placement of the implant may compress and distort your lactiferous duct, which connects the nipple on the exterior of the breast to the mammary gland inside the breast. In some augmentations, this duct may even be severed. While any alterations to this duct won't harm you, they can make breastfeeding problematic. So does this mean that augmentation should be avoided if you plan to have a baby?

Beneath the Breast Glands

The ability to breastfeed can be compatible with breast augmentation surgery, but to preserve the function of your mammary glands, a specific approach is needed, avoiding the possibility of any changes to the structure of your lactiferous duct. If your goal is to one day breastfeed, subglandular breast implant may be unwise. This is when the implant is placed behind the breast glands. This comparatively shallow placement is more likely to impede your ability to breastfeed, as the implant is closer to the applicable ducts.

Beneath the Pectoralis Major

A submuscular implant is a little different. The surgeon accesses your pectoralis major (chest muscle) behind the breast, and the implant is inserted beneath this muscle. The implant is slightly deeper in your anatomy, and may in fact look more natural as the years go by. This deeper placement also means the implant's position is unlikely to affect lactation.

Other Considerations

Submuscular breast implants aren't a guaranteed way to avoid potential breastfeeding difficulties. The size of the implant can play a role, and despite its submuscular placement, an especially large implant can still impede breastfeeding. This is something to discuss with your surgeon, but it may be necessary to reach a compromise—opting for an implant slightly smaller than was originally planned. As you're trying to preserve your ability to breastfeed, the method of insertion also becomes more relevant. Your surgeon will avoid using a periareolar incision, directly next to your areola, as this can damage your milk ducts.

Breast augmentation won't exclude you from being able to breastfeed your baby in the future, but a certain approach is needed to preserve your ability to lactate. If you want to find out more before making a final decision, a clinic doctor like Dakota Plastic Surgery: Sanjay Mukerji, MD would be happy to answer your questions.