Breast Augmentation and Nursing Difficulties

All women who plan to breastfeed are strongly advised to speak with lactation consultants. These professionals are particularly helpful for women who have had breast augmentation or are considering it before breastfeeding their children. Women contemplating mammoplasty and who are of childbearing age should discuss their concerns with their surgeons during pre-operation consultation or counseling. Several types of incisions are used for breast enlargement surgery, and while post operative breastfeeding is commonly successful, some surgical methods can pose risk to successful nursing in the future.

In a sub-mammary or inframammary enlargement, the incision is cut and insertion is made at the base fold of the breast. Assuming no surgical complications arise, nursing can be a positive experience for both mother and child post operation. It is when functioning tissues such as the ducts, the glands, and/or the nerves are damaged, that difficulties often surface.

During a peri-areolar augmentation, the incision is made at the inferior border of the areola and the surrounding skin. The lower milk ducts are cut during the surgery, and there can be an increased chance of negative impact on lactation after the operation. Though this is a less common procedure when seeking a mammoplasty, it is the optimal approach for a mastopexy or “lift.” Women seeking a lift should be critically aware and informed of the possible negative side effects of the peri-areolar procedure on the functioning tissues that assist in lactation.

Other types of breast augmentation surgery, such as the transaxillary, the transumbilical, and the transabdominoplasty make insertions through the armpit, the navel and the abdomen (usually simultaneous with abdominoplasty) respectively. These surgeries are not likely to interfere with nursing capabilities, yet because of other limitations, such as incompatibility with silicone gel implants, and difficulties, such as asymmetry, these are less common procedures.

As with any surgery, risks should be discussed in depth in pre-operation counseling with the surgeon. Women who have had breast augmentation can successfully nurse their children and are encouraged to do so. And with proper education as well as communication, the best method can be selected and will most often have no ill effect on a woman’s ability to lactate post surgery.

Note that other related surgeries, such as lifts or nipple surgery, are more likely to cause difficulties. While reduction surgery is most likely to hinder successful nursing attempts due to the removal of functional tissues that contribute to lactation.