Thursday, February 8
Breastfeeding and Breast Implants
Two common questions we answer relating to breastfeeding and breast implants are:
1. How long should I wait after breastfeeding until I have breast implant surgery?
Dr Cheng recommends a minimum of 3 months, but somewhere between 3 and 6 months is ideal for a couple of reasons:
- Firstly we need to make sure the breast size is stable so that we can be sure to select the appropriate size breast implant for your preferred look.
- Secondly, keeping you safe and reducing the chance of developing an infection after surgery is very important to us. If you are still producing milk there can be an increased chance of dormant bacteria located within the milk ducts which may increase the risk of infection if surgery is performed when the breasts are still productive of milk.
Differences in the frequency of breastfeeding can also impact on the time it takes for your milk ducts to cease producing milk and dry up completely. If in doubt always check with your General Practitioner or check with Dr Cheng at your initial consultation.
2. Can I still breastfeed after breast implant surgery?
This is also a common concern for our younger patients who plan to have children at some time in the future. Having breast implants does not significantly effect a woman’s ability to breastfeed. Dr Cheng, prefers an inframammary incision to access and craft the breast pocket to minimise any injury or trauma to the breast tissue and nipple-areolar complex. Dr Cheng also prefers to position the breast implant under the muscle or in a dual plane location, which helps to reduce any trauma to the nipple-areolar complex and related breast tissue.
If this is a concern for you, let Dr Cheng know at your consultation and he will discuss this in greater detail.