Breast Augmentation: Breast-Feeding Risks

For most women who have undergone a breast augmentation, breast-feeding
is an issue they do not consider until years later. While there have
been some concerns about the safety of breast milk in mothers with
breast implants, there has been enough research to support that the
breast milk is not harmful to the baby. Read on to learn more. For most women who have undergone a breast augmentation, breast-feeding
is an issue they do not consider until years later. While there have
been some concerns about the safety of breast milk in mothers with
breast implants, there has been enough research to support that the
breast milk is not harmful to the baby. However, there are other
concerns associated with the mother’s comfort and complications that can arise immediately after surgery that can make breastfeeding difficult
for the mother.
In general, a breast augmentation surgery does not harm the mammary
glands, which are responsible for producing breast milk. During the
surgery the plastic surgeon must create an incision or pocket for the
implant to be inserted properly. This incision can be either below or
above the pectoral muscles, but it is typically behind the mammary
ducts, except under certain circumstances.
It is still possible for the surgeon to disrupt the mammary glands in
the process of creating this incision, which can ultimately affect the
patient’s ability to produce breast milk. However, there have been some
cases where the patient has experienced trauma or nerve damage to the
nipple or areola, which can have a significant impact on the mother’s
ability to breast-feed. This is because the nipple must have some
sensation in order to excrete milk from the mammary ducts.
Having the proper incisions can prevent these complications. Any
incision that involves the areola or the nipple puts the patient at a
greater risk of experiencing this type of complication. Although it is
possible for the surgeon to make incisions in this area without doing
any nerve damage, this is mostly dependent on the surgeon’s overall
skill.
The chances of having any of these complications from an incision other
than around or near the areola are very small. Therefore, most women,
and even doctors, will prefer an incision under the arm or the breast
fold. However, these incisions around the areola or nipples are less
visible than those under the arm or in the breast fold. In rare cases,
the surgeon can make an incision from the navel to perform the breast
augmentation, but this can produce visible scarring that may not heal as quickly as the other incision sites.
In general, women who have undergone breast augmentation will experience some reduction in the amount of breast milk they can produce,
especially if they have chosen an incision that disrupts some of the
nerves of mammary glands. Many women do not realize that there are some
breasts conditions that can reduce the amount of milk their breasts can
produce, even before the surgery. Women with less breast tissue tend to
produce less milk than those with larger breasts. As a result, some
women may take the risk of having an incision around the areola if they
have larger enough breasts.
Most, if not all breast augmentation procedures are performed during a
woman’s childbearing years. Therefore, it is important to discuss this
aspect of surgery with your doctor, even if you do not plan on having
children. Knowing of any possible complications beforehand will make it
much easier for the surgeon to avoid them.