Pregnancy & Breastfeeding after Breast Enlargement Surgery
Patients considering breast enlargement surgery often want to understand the effects of the procedure on future pregnancies and whether the option to breastfeed will be affected. We discuss everything here.
Written by Medical Quality Manager, Clare , BN (Hons)
Medical Review by Chief Commercial Officer, Dr. Lizzie Tuckey , MBBS, BA
Published: Friday 7 June 2024
Breast enlargement or breast augmentation is the most popular procedure in the UK. It's no surprise that two of the most commonly asked questions are:
Are any effects on pregnancy or breastfeeding after you've had a breast enlargement procedure?
How long I should wait after I've given birth and/or breastfed before I'm able to have breast enlargement surgery?
Let's explore these two concerns:
How does breast enlargement surgery affect future pregnancies?
There should be no reason to suggest breast enlargement would affect your fertility or ability to get pregnant after the surgery, provided you were able to do so beforehand. What should be considered is how it may affect your results. Pregnancies and weight gain can mean the breasts increase in size which would alter the results of your breast enlargement surgery.
It's not to say patients can't have the surgery if they are planning to have future children, but they should be aware of the possibility of the longevity of the results being affected.
The Effects of Breast Enlargement Surgery on Breastfeeding
A common misconception is that the silicone in the implant can cause harm to the nursing infant; this is not the case. Breast implants are typically placed behind the milk glands or under the chest muscles, which doesn't affect your milk supply. Generally, incisions are made under the breast, in the crease, or, in some cases, in the armpit, so there should be little to no disruption to the nipple.
It's important to discuss with your surgeon in consultation about future plans to breastfeed so they are able to discuss any possible risks with you. Furthermore, it's important to recognise that, similar to weight fluctuations or pregnancy, there may be a knock-on effect on the quality of your results should you breastfeed after the breast enlargement surgery.
How long after pregnancy should I wait before having Breast Enlargement Surgery?
It's recommended that patients wait at least three to six months after pregnancy before having their breast enlargement consultation. This is to make sure that the breasts have settled in their size and shape, thus allowing the surgeon to gain a true understanding of what is needed. However, patients may have to wait until six months postpartum until they're able to have the actual surgery.
Do note that following the breast enlargement surgery, you may not be able to lift the children for quite some time, so you should consider this when you're planning your procedure date.
How long after breastfeeding should I wait before having Breast Enlargement Surgery?
Our surgeons advise that patients have stopped breastfeeding and lactating for at least three to six months before having their breast enlargement consultation. Similarly to pregnancy restrictions, your breasts need time to settle before the surgeon is able to assess you. The milk ducts will need to be dry before surgery due to infection risks.
