If you’re considering enhancing your breasts with implants and planning to have children, timing should be a top concern. Widespread concerns we hear from women in Orange County include, “Will pregnancy affect my breast augmentation results?” and “Can I breastfeed with implants?”
Newport Beach plastic surgeon Dr. Ali Sajjadian understands your concerns. Today, we’ll take some time to explain some considerations about improving your breast volume with implants.
The Best Time to Get Breast Implants
Because the decision to get implants is so personal, there’s no such thing as an “ideal time” to have this surgery. To start, ask yourself why you’re interested in getting the operation. Often, aesthetic goals change at different life stages. For example, young women may choose implants to improve their breast contour, increase confidence, or fix a size or symmetry issue. Conversely, women who’ve had children typically look to restore breast volume and eliminate loose skin.
After talking to you and asking you questions about your goals, Dr. Sajjadian may suggest waiting after having children to get breast implants because the hormonal changes and weight gain associated with pregnancy and breastfeeding can significantly alter your breasts’ shape, size, and elevation.
Breast Augmentation Before Having Children
A benefit to having your breast augmentation before having children is enjoying your new look as soon as possible. If pregnancy is not in your immediate plans, you may want to enhance your figure and feel more feminine. In this case, getting implants before pregnancy may be a positive decision.
However, many women who have breast augmentation before pregnancy later choose a revision procedure to change or reposition their implants after having children. All the rapid changes that happen during pregnancy will alter your breast size and shape.
Having the surgery before pregnancy has the advantage of better aesthetics sooner than later. The disadvantage is that a follow-up procedure may be necessary to correct any alterations after having babies.
Breast Augmentation After Having Children
Many experienced physicians say if you wish to achieve optimal results from breast augmentation, you should wait to have the procedure until no significant changes will happen to your body from pregnancy and breastfeeding.
If you are actively attempting to get pregnant, you should wait to get your implants. After pregnancy, it’s crucial to allow your breasts to develop into their natural size before deciding which implants to choose.
Are you planning to have more than one baby? If so, Dr. Sajjadian advises you to wait for breast surgery. The advantage of waiting is it decreases the need to have another surgery. The disadvantage is waiting to look your best until after you’re finished getting pregnant.
How Soon After Pregnancy Can I Have Breast Augmentation?
If you are pregnant or recently had a baby, Dr. Sajjadian suggests waiting before getting implants. During pregnancy and the early postpartum period, having surgery is too risky. Instead, he typically gives new moms the green light for breast augmentation six months after childbirth, when enough time has passed for the body and breasts to recover from pregnancy.
If you’re breastfeeding, this timeline could be longer. Lactating and nursing a child can cause your breast size and shape to change dramatically. That’s why you should wait at least three months after you’ve weaned your baby and your breasts are no longer producing milk.
You may wonder if you should combine your breast augmentation with a breast lift, especially after pregnancy and breastfeeding. Many mothers not only want firmer, more prominent, and shapelier breasts, but they also wish to restore a youthful upward curve.
While women who gain a healthy amount of weight during pregnancy are less likely to have their breasts sag significantly, you may still be a good candidate for a breast lift if you are older than 40. Dr. Sajjadian will discuss all your options during your consultation.
Do Implants Interfere With Breastfeeding?
Typically, there is no cause for concern if you choose to have implants before pregnancy and wish to breastfeed your baby. Implants do not necessarily interfere with nursing your child. Placing the breast implant behind the breast tissue leaves the milk ducts intact, allowing you to breastfeed and bond with your newborn.
However, if you choose breast augmentation before having your baby, some considerations are critical. These include deciding the implant size and incision technique. Though most breast implants don’t affect your ability to breastfeed, extra-large breast implants will put constant pressure on the breast tissue and may cause gland atrophy.
Additionally, some techniques remove the nipple and damage the milk ducts. Ask Dr. Sajjadian to choose an incision method that will help prevent damage that can affect your ability to breastfeed.
A Final Word
Choosing when to have breast augmentation is a personal decision you should make with your surgeon. However, if you are planning to become pregnant or breastfeed, most physicians advise waiting a bit before getting implants. On the other hand, you might need revision surgery after having children if you had an enhancement procedure earlier. Triple board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Sajjadian can help you explore your options to decide what will make you look and feel your best during parenthood and beyond.
Choosing Your Breast Augmentation Surgeon in Newport Beach
While breast augmentation is a safe and effective cosmetic enhancement, choosing the right surgeon for your surgery is paramount.
Your surgeon must be skilled, knowledgeable, board-certified, and in good standing with the medical community. Education, training, and a history of satisfied patients are also important criteria.
Dr. Sajjadian is a Newport Beach plastic surgeon with extensive training and over two decades of experience. He has completed thousands of plastic and cosmetic surgeries with positive impacts on his patients’ lives. If you are considering breast augmentation, get in touch.
For more information regarding breast surgery, contact our Newport Beach practice online or call (949) 515-0550.