One common question that may women ask when getting breast augmentation is whether the implants will interfere with breast feeding. The answer, whether the implants are placed below or above the pectoralis muscle, is that they do not since either location puts them underneath the breast gland tissue. There is no disruption of the breast ducts or the milk-producing glands by a breast implant.
But another breast feeding concern, since it won’t be affected by the implants, is whether by doing so it will cause increased breast sagging afterwards. According to a paper presented at the 2013 annual American Society of Plastic Surgery meeting this past week in San Diego, women with breast implants should not be concerned that breast feeding will cause a significant change in the appearance of their breasts afterwards.
In a study out of Puerto Rico of 119 women with breast implants who breastfed, they did not see appreciable changes in the appearance of their augmented breasts. Breast measurements were compared between 57 women with implants that did breastfeed to 62 women with implants that did not. The breast measurements were taken before pregnancy and one year after pregnancy or one year after finishing breastfeeding. There were no significant changes in these measurements or in the amount of sagging between women that did or did not breastfed.
Any breast sagging seen was felt to be due to the changes caused by pregnancy not breastfeeding. The cause of breast sagging after pregnancy is due to the hormonal effect that causes breast enlargement by tissue engorgement. Once the hormonal influences are removed (delivery), the breast deflates and sags. (expanded skin but loss of volume) This is the etiology of breast sagging after pregnancy not breastfeeding.
Other breast studies (without implants) have also shown that the cause of breast sagging due to breastfeeding is a myth and not a fact.
This information should help women with breast implants feel comfortable about making the choice to breastfeed and not be concerned that the investment they have made in breast augmentation surgery would be lost.
Dr. Barry Eppley
Indianapolis, Indiana