Can Breast Implants Cause Low Milk Supply?
By: Dr. Steven Bates
Tags: Board Certification, Mommy Makeover, Breast Augmentation, Breast Implants, Breastfeeding

Breast implants can impact milk supply, but they do not have to. Much of this depends on surgical options such as implant incision location and implant placement.

Breast implant incision options include:

Areolar — around the nipple in the darker skin of the areola

Inframammary — underneath the breast in the crease where breast and chest meet

Transaxillary — in the folds of the armpit

A fourth option, TUBA, can be made in the bellybutton. This incision, however, severely limits a surgeon’s ability to place implants with precision and is not typically used.

For women who may choose to breastfeed in the future, an inframammary or Transaxillary incision will be best. These eliminate the risk of damage to nerves in the nipple that trigger the neurohormonal reflex, which is essential for the production and release of breast milk.

Breast implant placement options include:

Subglandular — in between breast tissue and the muscles in the chest

Dual Plane — Partially above and partially below the muscles in the chest

Submuscular — entirely below the muscles in the chest

For women who may choose to breastfeed in the future, submuscular placement is a better choice. Subglandular placement can impact the milk ducts, slowing or reducing both supply and flow of breastmilk. Implants placed underneath chest muscles will not impact the ducts or glands and should not affect a woman’s ability to breastfeed.

What Causes Low Milk Supply?

There are a number of factors that can cause low milk supply in breastfeeding mothers. Some concern the breasts themselves and the infant’s ability to latch successfully. Some are related to other physical issues including thyroid disorders and diabetes. Others may be a result of lifestyle choices such as alcohol or tobacco use; others still may be the result of medications such as antihistamines.

There are several techniques that can be used to boost milk supply, though at-home remedies are not successful for every mother. If you are struggling with low milk supply, it can be helpful to work with a board-certified lactation specialist who can assess your specific situation and provide you with individualized support and services.

Will Breastfeeding Impact My Breast Augmentation Results?

Breastfeeding itself will not impact your breast augmentation results. Pregnancy, on the other hand, very well may.

During pregnancy, the breasts change in both size and shape. Some of these changes will self-resolve — either through breastfeeding or once the baby is weened — but others, such as excess skin and asymmetry, may be permanent.

If you have undergone breast augmentation prior to becoming pregnant, it is possible that you will need revision surgery — perhaps with breast lift — to restore your bust to its pre-pregnancy appearance. For this reason, many women choose to forego breast surgery until they have made the decision to not have (or to not have more) children.

This is not a decision that anyone else can make for you. It is something best decided by you and your plastic surgeon. While several practical considerations must be taken into account, it is ultimately up to you to determine when it might be the right time for a procedure.

Breast and Body Surgery Following Pregnancy

Pregnancy changes the body in several ways. Common physical changes include a loss of volume and lift in the breasts, accumulations of fat in the abdomen, hips, and waist, a separation of abdominal muscles (diastasis recti), excess and loose skin in the midsection, and stubborn fat deposits throughout the body.

It is possible to address many of the changes brought about by pregnancy with a healthy diet and consistent exercise routine, but these efforts are not always fully successful at addressing excess skin and fat — and even the most progressive exercises and healthy diets cannot restore the breasts to their original appearance.

To address these issues, some women choose to undergo mommy makeover surgery after they have finished having children.

Mommy makeover surgery focuses on the areas most impacted by pregnancy and is customized to meet the individual needs of each mother, but there are some procedures that are commonly included in this technique, such as:

Breast Lift to address ptosis (sagging) and nipple displacement

to address ptosis (sagging) and nipple displacement Breast Augmentation to restore volume and symmetry to the chest

to restore volume and symmetry to the chest Liposuction to remove stubborn fat deposits from legs, hips, back, arms, and neck

to remove stubborn fat deposits from legs, hips, back, arms, and neck Abdominoplasty to reattach separated abdominal muscles, draw the waist in, and remove excess skin from the belly

Depending on the needs and desires of the individual, a mommy makeover may also include facial rejuvenation, nonsurgical skincare treatments, and vaginal rejuvenation.

When is the Right Time for Plastic Surgery?

To learn when it will be best for you to undergo any plastic surgery procedure, meet with a board-certified plastic surgeon and have an honest conversation. Be open about your future plans, your willingness to change your lifestyle, and other personal issues that can have an impact on the duration of your results — and be willing to accept frank information about your candidacy and the types of results you can realistically expect.

The right time to have plastic surgery is not the same for every person (nor are surgical options always the best choice), making it important that you choose to discuss your options with a reputable, trusted, and experienced plastic surgeon. It is always okay to get more than one opinion, just be sure you are only working with surgeons who have obtained board-certification. You can find a board-certified plastic surgeon by visiting the Certification Matters website maintained by the American Board of Medical Specialties.

Opting to have plastic surgery is an individual choice. Working with a well-reviewed and qualified plastic surgeon can help ensure the choice you are making is right for your needs now and into the future.