Breast Implants and Breast Feeding: A Common Concern

Before and after breast augmentation, women often share concerns about whether breast implants will affect their ability to breast feed.  Another common concern is for the safety of the child; will the presence of a synthetic implant affect the breast milk in some way?

First of all, it is possible that breast implants will disrupt your ability to breast feed, but there are ways to minimize the risk of this occurring.  If this is a significant concern for you, your surgeon will probably tell you to choose a particular incision site such as the armpit, breast crease, or umbilicus, because incisions in these areas avoid manipulation of the nipple.

Breast implant placement below the pectoralis muscle may also be recommended, but even with subglandular placement, breast feeding is not necessarily compromised.

Regarding risks to the child, studies have been inconclusive, i.e. they haven’t found any measurable risks.  In the late 90s, a study was published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery showing that women with silicone breast implants show no higher levels of silicone in their breast milk than women without implants.  It is not known what effect would occur if a trace of silicone were to pass through to the infant.

If you still have concerns, speak to Dr. Pancholi or your OB/GYN.  Whether you plan to become pregnant or not, it is best to understand all of the possible breast augmentation risks before proceeding with surgery.