Can You Breastfeed after Breast Augmentation?

For many women who choose to get breast implants before having children, whether or not they will be able to still breastfeed in the future is a top concern. While there are so many different factors that can affect a woman’s ability to breastfeed, in most cases, having implants shouldn’t be one of them.*

If breastfeeding after breast augmentation is important to you, though, there are a few extra factors you’ll want to take into consideration when planning your procedure.

Inframammary vs. Periareolar Incisions

Two of the most common types of incisions for breast enhancement are inframammary and periareolar. If you’re planning to breastfeed in the future, you will likely want to go with inframammary, as this incision follows the crease beneath your breasts.

Periareolar incisions, on the other hand, trace a semi-circle around the lower half of each areola. Thus, this incision type has a higher incidence of breastfeeding complications than does the inframammary technique.*

As for silicone vs. saline implants, either of these choices can be suitable for breastfeeding, so the best choice for you will depend on your personal preferences and cosmetic goals.*

Talk with Your Plastic Surgeon

The best approach is to talk with your plastic surgeon about your breast augmentation options if you’d like to breastfeed with implants.

Your breast augmentation consultation is an excellent time to go over your breastfeeding goals and surgical options with your plastic surgeon. He or she should be able to design a customized breast enhancement plan that will maximize your chances of being able to breastfeed with implants down the road.*

*This information is for education only and is not meant as a guarantee of results. Your results may vary.

Author: Dr. Francesco Campanile

Board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, Dr. Francesco Campanile is a cosmetic surgeon in Denver who is focused on body contouring and breast enhancement. Time and time again, the women and men who choose Dr. Campanile say that they’ve found “the whole package” – a doctor who cares deeply about the quality of their results and has the skill to achieve excellence.