According to Dr Huy Tang, Cosmetic Surgeon at Australia’s largest cosmetic surgery provider, The Cosmetic Institute, despite being the most popular cosmetic surgery procedure on the planet, there is still a lot of confusion surrounding breast augmentation, particularly when it comes to pregnancy, breast feeding and breast implants and the effect they may have on the body during this time.
“It’s a common misconception that women can’t breastfeed with implants, but the fact is, I’ve operated on many women who have gone on to successfully breastfeed their babies, with no negative affects. Having said that, every woman is different and it’s important that patients are clear about the facts before they decide for or against breastfeeding their baby following a breast augmentation,” he says.
Here Dr Tang separates fact from fiction when it comes to breast feeding and breast implants.
Fiction: You can’t breast feed with breast implants
“One of the biggest myths surrounding breast augmentation is that women can’t breastfeed after having implants,” says Dr Tang. On that note, Dr Tang still recommends a woman wait six to 12 months post-op to allow the augmented breast to completely settle before falling pregnant. He also stresses that recovery time can vary from patient to patient so it’s important to be flexible with expectations regarding recovery “the right time to fall pregnant can vary from woman to woman.” He says.
Fiction: Breast Augmentation will hinder a woman’s milk supply
According to Dr Tang, some women find it very difficult to breastfeed and a woman can have a poor milk supply regardless of whether they have implants or not. Dr Tang stresses the importance of being operated on by a reputable surgeon that ensures there is no damage to the milk ducts or nerves during surgery.
Fiction: Breastfeeding will always change the shape of an augmented breast
Whether they be natural or augmented, it is impossible to predict the type of change a breast will undergo during pregnancy and breastfeeding. “As a rule, women with smaller breasts would generally expect less change to occur when breastfeeding, compared to those with larger breasts.” According to Dr Tang, in both natural and augmented breasts, genetic factors such as skin quality and elasticity are the major factors that influence whether breast shape is likely to change.
Fact: It is possible that augmented breasts can be more sensitive than natural breasts when breastfeeding
When it comes to sensitivity, it is possible that an implant could cause feelings of slight discomfort in the breast. “It’s not always the case, but the added weight and volume of the implant can result in increased sensitivity,” advises Dr Tang. “Breasts generally become more sensitive during pregnancy and the added volume from implants could increase this sensitivity,” he adds.
Fiction: Augmented breasts are more likely to sag or change shape after pregnancy and breastfeeding than natural breasts are
It’s a common misconception that an implant will change shape during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Dr Tang points out that “while the implants remain unchanged with pregnancy and breast-feeding, the tissue surrounding them may change shape. Regardless of whether a woman has implants, her breast shape can change during or post pregnancy based on factors including genetics, age and skin quality,” says Dr Tang.
Having said this and considering there is no sure way to tell whether a breast will or won’t sag following pregnancy and breastfeeding, if a patient is concerned about this and considering having children in the not too distant future, Dr Tang will generally advise them to delay their augmentation “this way we can ensure that all breast changes are taken into account before deciding on the size and type of implant that should be used,” he says.
