Is Breastfeeding Possible After Cosmetic Breast Surgeries?

Will I be able to breastfeed after surgery? It is an important question that nearly every woman, who is considering any type of cosmetic breast surgery, asks. Well, the answer to this question depends on various factors. Most of the women can safely and successfully breastfeed after surgery. Some women can partially breastfeed but there are very little chances of not being able to breastfeed.

Here we will discuss all the important factors that may affect a woman’s ability to breastfeed after cosmetic breast surgery.

Breast surgery and milk production

The amount of milk a woman can produce depends on the type of surgery performed. Although augmentation, lift and reconstruction surgeries can reduce the amount of milk produced, breast reduction surgery is likely to affect the lactation capability the most.

Know how these procedures can affect your lactating capability below.

Breast augmentation and breastfeeding

Most women can successfully breastfeed after breast augmentation surgery but is there any risk of not being able to breastfeed? Yes, but most women do not face any problems. The factors that may affect breastfeeding include:

• Damage to nerves and milk ducts: The main factor that can affect lactating capability is damage to nerves. Besides inhibiting signals for stimulation of mammary glands, it may also cause over-sensitivity of nipples, which makes breastfeeding difficult no matter how much milk a woman is able to produce. Successful breastfeeding relies on intact nerve pathways, milk ducts and sensitivity of nipples. So, selecting appropriate incision patterns can minimize the risk of losing breastfeeding capability.
• Location of implants: Where the breast implant is inserted is another factor that affects the likelihood of a  woman to breastfeed in the future. Inserting implants under the pectoral muscles reduces the risk of not being able to breastfeed. This way pressure of implant on mammary glands reduces and the patient continues to produce milk as before.

Breast reduction and breastfeeding

Breast reduction surgery is usually considered as the biggest obstacle in successful breastfeeding. There are various possible factors to consider when it comes to breastfeeding after breast reduction. These include:

• Techniques used for breast reduction: Almost every breast reduction surgery involves cutting some milk ducts during surgery. However, if a surgeon makes efforts to keep nerve pathways and blood supply intact, you will be able to breastfeed your child after surgery.
• Glandular tissues removed: How much tissues are removed to reduce the size of breasts, is another factor that determines whether you will be able to breastfeed in the future. The more the glandular tissues are removed, the less the chances of producing full milk.
• Repositioning of nipples: Another factor that may affect the ability of breastfeeding is whether the surgeon removes nipples completely to reposition them or not. If nipples are repositioned, this may permanently disable your lactating capability. It is because nipples are severed from mammary glands by cutting mammary ducts.

A breast lift and breastfeeding

Breast lift surgery carries the least amount of risk when it comes to affecting a woman’s breastfeeding capability. The factors that may affect breastfeeding ability after breast lift surgery are:

• Incision pattern and site: Breast lift surgery can be performed using different techniques that vary depending on incision sites and patterns. If the incision is made in the site where no milk ducts or nerves are damaged, it may not affect breastfeeding.
• The extent of surgery: Breast lift surgery usually tightens and lifts the skin leaving glandular tissues intact. So, the procedure is performed without affecting mammary glands, which minimizes the risk of losing the capability of breastfeeding. However, if the procedure involves repositioning of nipples and areolas, it may affect breastfeeding.

Breast reconstruction and breastfeeding

Breast reconstruction surgery may or may not affect breastfeeding capability. Women who are concerned about breastfeeding after breast reconstruction surgery must consider these factors:

• Women who have had a full mastectomy are able to breastfeed from unaffected breast.
• Women who have had a partial mastectomy will be able to breastfeed from the affected side as well.

Bottom line

You will be able to breastfeed fully or partially or you will completely lose breastfeeding capability after cosmetic breast surgeries depending on the aforementioned factors. So, if you have concerns regarding breastfeeding after breast surgery, you should discuss this matter with your plastic surgeon in detail.

Consultation

If you are considering any cosmetic breast surgery and you want to know more about how the procedures can affect breastfeeding, book a free consultation at Dubai Cosmetic Surgery with our plastic surgeons today. You can fill the online consultation form given below to proceed with an appointment.