How long after I have a baby do you recommend getting a breast augmentation?

I'm not sure how long I should wait.

Answers from doctors (21)


More About Doctor Harry Glassman, M.D.

Published on Jan 24, 2019

I like to wait 4-6 months after the patient gives birth. If they decide to breastfeed, I wait the same period of time after they stop nursing.

Answered by Harry Glassman, M.D. (View Profile)

I like to wait 4-6 months after the patient gives birth. If they decide to breastfeed, I wait the same period of time after they stop nursing.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Postpartum surgery should be delayed at least 6 months or 3 months post-cessation of breastfeeding. This will allow for a return to baseline before considering your aesthetic options. Stability is key when planning elective cosmetic surgery.

As always, discuss your concerns with a board-certified plastic surgeon (ABPS).

Answered by The Institute of Aesthetic Surgery (View Profile)

Postpartum surgery should be delayed at least 6 months or 3 months post-cessation of breastfeeding. This will allow for a return to baseline before considering your aesthetic options. Stability is key when planning elective cosmetic surgery.

As always, discuss your concerns with a board-certified plastic surgeon (ABPS).

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Barry J. Kaplan, D.O.

Published on Jun 08, 2016

6 months after your milk dries up you can have a breast augmentation.

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Answered by Barry J. Kaplan, D.O.

6 months after your milk dries up you can have a breast augmentation.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Kenneth L. Stein M.D. FACS

Published on May 17, 2016

If you are nursing, then clearly you should not have a breast augmentation until you are done. If you are not breastfeeding, then after three months is fine.

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Answered by Kenneth L. Stein M.D. FACS

If you are nursing, then clearly you should not have a breast augmentation until you are done. If you are not breastfeeding, then after three months is fine.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Mark E. Mason, MD, FACS

Published on May 09, 2016

Are you nursing? Are you within 10 pounds of your ideal weight? More important than specific months postpartum are the answers to these questions. Assuming you aren't breastfeeding and you're within 10 pounds of your goal weight, 3-6 months after having a baby is sufficient.

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Answered by Mark E. Mason, MD, FACS

Are you nursing? Are you within 10 pounds of your ideal weight? More important than specific months postpartum are the answers to these questions. Assuming you aren't breastfeeding and you're within 10 pounds of your goal weight, 3-6 months after having a baby is sufficient.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


David C. Yao MD, FACS

Published on Apr 21, 2016

Thank you for asking. This depends on several issues:

Is there any lactation or breastfeeding?
Is the weight stable or close to normal?

In general, it may be around 6 months after delivery, but each patient can vary. See a board-certified plastic surgeon who can advise you. Best wishes

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Answered by David C. Yao MD, FACS

Thank you for asking. This depends on several issues:

Is there any lactation or breastfeeding?
Is the weight stable or close to normal?

In general, it may be around 6 months after delivery, but each patient can vary. See a board-certified plastic surgeon who can advise you. Best wishes

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Steely Plastic Surgery

Published on Aug 24, 2015

I have no hard and fast rule, but for first time moms I like to wait 6 months after stopping breast feeding. This gives the breast time to lose its swelling due to milk engorgement to see exactly what you are dealing with before implantation- I know you do not want to be disappointed by doing it too early before seeing how much breast tissue you are going to have! Secondly, ducts with milk in them have bacteria and in my opinion can increase the risk of capsular contracture so waiting until the milk has dried up for a period of time is a prudent idea.

After the first baby, I am OK with shortening the time to 4-5 months after breast feeding- by that time the patient knows what their resting state of the breast is after breast feeding and can tell when she is back to normal.

I hope this helps

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Answered by Steely Plastic Surgery

I have no hard and fast rule, but for first time moms I like to wait 6 months after stopping breast feeding. This gives the breast time to lose its swelling due to milk engorgement to see exactly what you are dealing with before implantation- I know you do not want to be disappointed by doing it too early before seeing how much breast tissue you are going to have! Secondly, ducts with milk in them have bacteria and in my opinion can increase the risk of capsular contracture so waiting until the milk has dried up for a period of time is a prudent idea.

After the first baby, I am OK with shortening the time to 4-5 months after breast feeding- by that time the patient knows what their resting state of the breast is after breast feeding and can tell when she is back to normal.

I hope this helps

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Tracey H. Stokes M.D., F.A.C.S.

Published on Aug 07, 2015

You should wait until you have stopped breast feeding for at least 3-6 months and your weight is close to baseline.

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Answered by Tracey H. Stokes M.D., F.A.C.S.

You should wait until you have stopped breast feeding for at least 3-6 months and your weight is close to baseline.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Charles A. Messa, III, M.D., F.A.C.S.

Published on Aug 06, 2015

Thank you for your question. If you are breast feeding, I recommend waiting a minimum of 3 to 6 months after you have stopped breast feeding to undergo breast augmentation. This is a general guideline and depends on your individual situation with regard to weight gain and the appearance of her breasts.

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Answered by Charles A. Messa, III, M.D., F.A.C.S.

Thank you for your question. If you are breast feeding, I recommend waiting a minimum of 3 to 6 months after you have stopped breast feeding to undergo breast augmentation. This is a general guideline and depends on your individual situation with regard to weight gain and the appearance of her breasts.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Larry Leverett, MD, FACS

Published on Aug 06, 2015

There is no magical deadline for breast augmentation after delivering a child. The two main criteria are that the breast size should be stable, ie not changing as the patient loses weight. Lactation should be over b/c the milk is not sterile and because the lactating breast is larger than it will be when she stops breastfeeding. She should be healthy, have a fairly normal blood count (in case she had a bloody delivery), and not pregnant.

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Answered by Larry Leverett, MD, FACS

There is no magical deadline for breast augmentation after delivering a child. The two main criteria are that the breast size should be stable, ie not changing as the patient loses weight. Lactation should be over b/c the milk is not sterile and because the lactating breast is larger than it will be when she stops breastfeeding. She should be healthy, have a fairly normal blood count (in case she had a bloody delivery), and not pregnant.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Daniel C. Mills, M.D., F.A.C.S

Published on Aug 06, 2015

I usually council mothers to wait 3 to 6 months after having their child to allow their breast to get to its final size after having babies. This makes it easier for them to pick the right size but also they can have increased blood supply to the breast for creating milk.

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Answered by Daniel C. Mills, M.D., F.A.C.S

I usually council mothers to wait 3 to 6 months after having their child to allow their breast to get to its final size after having babies. This makes it easier for them to pick the right size but also they can have increased blood supply to the breast for creating milk.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


John J. O'Brien, Jr. M.D.

Published on Aug 06, 2015

hello thank you for this question. We generally recommended patient's wait approximately 6 months after they stop breast-feeding. This will allow the breasts to revert to a more more normal size and allow the skin envelope to retract.best of luck.

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Answered by John J. O'Brien, Jr. M.D.

hello thank you for this question. We generally recommended patient's wait approximately 6 months after they stop breast-feeding. This will allow the breasts to revert to a more more normal size and allow the skin envelope to retract.best of luck.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Burr Von Maur, M.D., F.A.C.S

Published on Aug 06, 2015

You should wait between 4 - 6 months. You need to make sure any milk has dried up.

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Answered by Burr Von Maur, M.D., F.A.C.S

You should wait between 4 - 6 months. You need to make sure any milk has dried up.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Joseph M. Perlman, M.D.

Published on Aug 06, 2015

You should wait at least 3 mos after breast feeding with no nipple discharge

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Answered by Joseph M. Perlman, M.D.

You should wait at least 3 mos after breast feeding with no nipple discharge

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Remus Repta M.D.

Published on Aug 06, 2015

Great question. I would wait until your breast size has stabilized. Perhaps 3 months after you have stopped breast feeding or pumping if you are doing so.
All the best,

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Answered by Remus Repta M.D.

Great question. I would wait until your breast size has stabilized. Perhaps 3 months after you have stopped breast feeding or pumping if you are doing so.
All the best,

Published on Jul 11, 2012


More About Doctor James Fernau MD

Published on Aug 06, 2015

6 months is the minimum time

Answered by James Fernau MD (View Profile)

6 months is the minimum time

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Bahram Ghaderi, MD, FACS

Published on Aug 06, 2015

Your body goes through many changes with pregnancy and you need to recover before having any surgery. Also, you should be done breasfeeding. Once your body has stabilized after your pregnancy and after breasfeeding, then it willl be a good time to consider breast augmentation. Typically at least 3-6 months is a reasonable wait time. I would recommend a consultation with an experienced board certified plastic surgeon to discuss your specific concerns.

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Answered by Bahram Ghaderi, MD, FACS

Your body goes through many changes with pregnancy and you need to recover before having any surgery. Also, you should be done breasfeeding. Once your body has stabilized after your pregnancy and after breasfeeding, then it willl be a good time to consider breast augmentation. Typically at least 3-6 months is a reasonable wait time. I would recommend a consultation with an experienced board certified plastic surgeon to discuss your specific concerns.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


More About Doctor Tom Pousti, M.D.

Published on Aug 06, 2015

Thank you for your question.
In general, I ask patients to be at their long term stable weight and have stopped nursing for 3 months before proceeding with breast augmentation surgery. This will allow for the best results.
I hope this helps.

Answered by Tom Pousti, M.D. (View Profile)

Thank you for your question.
In general, I ask patients to be at their long term stable weight and have stopped nursing for 3 months before proceeding with breast augmentation surgery. This will allow for the best results.
I hope this helps.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


More About Doctor Christopher Pelletiere, MD

Published on Aug 06, 2015

In general, you want to wait until the breasts are done changing post-pregnancy. If you do not breastfeed, then this can be as early as 6-8 weeks post childbirth. If you do breastfeed, then I usually recommend waiting for three months post breastfeeding cessation before going for a consultation. It can take that long to get the breasts to stop producing milk and change back to their regular size/ shape. I hope this helps.

Answered by Christopher Pelletiere, MD (View Profile)

In general, you want to wait until the breasts are done changing post-pregnancy. If you do not breastfeed, then this can be as early as 6-8 weeks post childbirth. If you do breastfeed, then I usually recommend waiting for three months post breastfeeding cessation before going for a consultation. It can take that long to get the breasts to stop producing milk and change back to their regular size/ shape. I hope this helps.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Don R. Revis, Jr., M.D, F.A.C.S

Published on Aug 06, 2015

Good morning!
I recommend having a breast augmentation three months after you with breastfeeding, or three months after delivery if you don't breastfeed!

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Answered by Don R. Revis, Jr., M.D, F.A.C.S

Good morning!
I recommend having a breast augmentation three months after you with breastfeeding, or three months after delivery if you don't breastfeed!

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Otto Placik, MD

Published on Aug 06, 2015

You should probably wait a minimum of four months after cessation of nursing and lactation and some surgeons prefer 6 months.

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Answered by Otto Placik, MD

You should probably wait a minimum of four months after cessation of nursing and lactation and some surgeons prefer 6 months.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

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