I have breast implants. Can I still breastfeed?

Answers from doctors (22)


More About Doctor Harry Glassman, M.D.

Published on Jan 17, 2019

Yes, there is no reason why you cannot breastfeed. There were some rumors of silicone being found in breast milk during the implant controversy in the 1990's but that proved to be unfounded.

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

Yes, there is no reason why you cannot breastfeed. There were some rumors of silicone being found in breast milk during the implant controversy in the 1990's but that proved to be unfounded.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Implants do not affect the ability to breastfeed. If you were able to breastfeed pre-augmentation, you should be able to feed post.

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

Answered by The Institute of Aesthetic Surgery (View Profile)

Implants do not affect the ability to breastfeed. If you were able to breastfeed pre-augmentation, you should be able to feed post.

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

Published on Jul 11, 2012


More About Doctor Susan Vasko MD, FACS

Published on Nov 29, 2016

You can try breastfeeding. One risk after a breast augmentation is that you may have trouble producing milk, or you may produce less milk. Many women have trouble producing milk even if they have never had a breast augmentation. There is no reason you cannot try to breastfeed, and if it works, to continue breastfeeding. Best wishes!

Answered by Susan Vasko MD, FACS (View Profile)

You can try breastfeeding. One risk after a breast augmentation is that you may have trouble producing milk, or you may produce less milk. Many women have trouble producing milk even if they have never had a breast augmentation. There is no reason you cannot try to breastfeed, and if it works, to continue breastfeeding. Best wishes!

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Barry J. Kaplan, D.O.

Published on Jun 02, 2016

Yes

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Answered by Barry J. Kaplan, D.O.

Yes

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Sean Kelishadi, M.D.

Published on Mar 29, 2016

Hello! The scientific literature has shown that having breast implants does not alter a woman's ability to breastfeed. I know many patients who have undergone breast augmentation and are able to breastfeed safely. I hope this helps to answer your question.

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Answered by Sean Kelishadi, M.D.

Hello! The scientific literature has shown that having breast implants does not alter a woman's ability to breastfeed. I know many patients who have undergone breast augmentation and are able to breastfeed safely. I hope this helps to answer your question.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Kenneth L. Stein M.D. FACS

Published on Mar 17, 2016

Thanks for your question. In our experience, some may be able to and some not. However, check with the implant companies (e.g., Mentor and Allergan) to see the stated positions and statistics.

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Answered by Kenneth L. Stein M.D. FACS

Thanks for your question. In our experience, some may be able to and some not. However, check with the implant companies (e.g., Mentor and Allergan) to see the stated positions and statistics.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


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

Published on Mar 16, 2016

Thank you for your question. The simple answer is yes. If you had a periareolar incision, your ability to breastfeed may be impaired, but you may still produce enough milk to breastfeed.

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

Thank you for your question. The simple answer is yes. If you had a periareolar incision, your ability to breastfeed may be impaired, but you may still produce enough milk to breastfeed.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Ralph M. Rosato, M.D., F.A.C.S.

Published on Mar 16, 2016

Yes, implants do not interfere with breastfeeding.

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Answered by Ralph M. Rosato, M.D., F.A.C.S.

Yes, implants do not interfere with breastfeeding.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Jed Horowitz, M.D., F.A.C.S.

Published on Mar 14, 2016

Yes, breastfeeding with implants is safe.

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Answered by Jed Horowitz, M.D., F.A.C.S.

Yes, breastfeeding with implants is safe.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


More About Doctor Tom Pousti, M.D.

Published on Mar 08, 2016

Yes, breast augmentation patients can breastfeed. With any type of breast surgery, you do risk the possibility of not being able to breastfeed, but you won't know until you try. Best wishes.

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

Yes, breast augmentation patients can breastfeed. With any type of breast surgery, you do risk the possibility of not being able to breastfeed, but you won't know until you try. Best wishes.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Tania Medina De Garcia M.D.

Published on Mar 03, 2016

Hello. Thanks for your question. Most likely. It depends on the kind of surgery you had, but most approaches are compatible with breastfeeding. Incisions made under the fold of the breast or through the armpit shouldn't cause any trouble. A "smile" incision around the areola increases your risk of having breastfeeding problems.

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Answered by Tania Medina De Garcia M.D.

Hello. Thanks for your question. Most likely. It depends on the kind of surgery you had, but most approaches are compatible with breastfeeding. Incisions made under the fold of the breast or through the armpit shouldn't cause any trouble. A "smile" incision around the areola increases your risk of having breastfeeding problems.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Boris M. Ackerman, M.D.

Published on Mar 02, 2016

Breast augmentation typically does not affect ability to breastfeed. If your breast ducts were not affected during the surgery, you should be able to breastfeed just fine. Some women have difficulties with breastfeeding, regardless of whether or not they have had breast implants.

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Answered by Boris M. Ackerman, M.D.

Breast augmentation typically does not affect ability to breastfeed. If your breast ducts were not affected during the surgery, you should be able to breastfeed just fine. Some women have difficulties with breastfeeding, regardless of whether or not they have had breast implants.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


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

Published on Mar 02, 2016

Yes, you can breastfeed. If they are under the muscle, you have a lot less chance of getting the implant infected than if you have mastitis, which is an infection of the breast and is seen way more in women who are breastfeeding. You could still breastfeed if they're on top of the muscle, but you run a higher risk. If you can get milk to come out of your nipple, you can get bacteria to harbor in those same ducks, and there's food with milk so it does lend itself to a higher infection rate when you are breastfeeding. Good luck

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

Yes, you can breastfeed. If they are under the muscle, you have a lot less chance of getting the implant infected than if you have mastitis, which is an infection of the breast and is seen way more in women who are breastfeeding. You could still breastfeed if they're on top of the muscle, but you run a higher risk. If you can get milk to come out of your nipple, you can get bacteria to harbor in those same ducks, and there's food with milk so it does lend itself to a higher infection rate when you are breastfeeding. Good luck

Published on Jul 11, 2012


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

Published on Mar 02, 2016

Absolutely. Yes, you will be able to breastfeed. There should be no cutting of the connection between the nipple and the milk ducts during a breast augmentation.

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

Absolutely. Yes, you will be able to breastfeed. There should be no cutting of the connection between the nipple and the milk ducts during a breast augmentation.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


David C. Yao MD, FACS

Published on Mar 02, 2016

Thank you for asking. This is a common issue. It may be possible to breastfeed after implant surgery. The specific incisions and individual case greatly matter. Talk with your PS. Many patients with implants are able to breastfeed. Best wishes!

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Answered by David C. Yao MD, FACS

Thank you for asking. This is a common issue. It may be possible to breastfeed after implant surgery. The specific incisions and individual case greatly matter. Talk with your PS. Many patients with implants are able to breastfeed. Best wishes!

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Nova Cosmetic Center

Published on Mar 02, 2016

Good afternoon! Thank you for contacting us at Nova Cosmetic Center. To answer your question regarding nursing after breast augmentation, it is perfectly OK and you will be able to. The procedure does not interfere with your milk ducts at all.

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Answered by Nova Cosmetic Center

Good afternoon! Thank you for contacting us at Nova Cosmetic Center. To answer your question regarding nursing after breast augmentation, it is perfectly OK and you will be able to. The procedure does not interfere with your milk ducts at all.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Anita Patel MD, FACS

Published on Mar 02, 2016

Implants are not a contraindication to breastfeeding. In other words, patients with implants are allowed to breastfeed.The only way to know if you personally can breastfeed is to try. Whether or not you can breastfeed is related to a lot of different factors. Some women who have never had breast surgery or implants are not able to breastfeed, or make less milk with each pregnancy. Other women are able to breastfeed just fine, whether with implants or without.

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Answered by Anita Patel MD, FACS

Implants are not a contraindication to breastfeeding. In other words, patients with implants are allowed to breastfeed.The only way to know if you personally can breastfeed is to try. Whether or not you can breastfeed is related to a lot of different factors. Some women who have never had breast surgery or implants are not able to breastfeed, or make less milk with each pregnancy. Other women are able to breastfeed just fine, whether with implants or without.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Edward Domanskis M.D.

Published on Mar 02, 2016

Breast implants should not interfere with breastfeeding and only cause loss of sensation no matter where the incision I make in about 1% of cases. We now have the latest imaging system, which allows us to show a patient quite well what they would look like with various shapes and sizes of breast implants from scanning them or having them send a photo.

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Answered by Edward Domanskis M.D.

Breast implants should not interfere with breastfeeding and only cause loss of sensation no matter where the incision I make in about 1% of cases. We now have the latest imaging system, which allows us to show a patient quite well what they would look like with various shapes and sizes of breast implants from scanning them or having them send a photo.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Charles Slack M.D.

Published on Mar 02, 2016

Yes, you can still breastfeed. There no health risks to your baby.There was at one time some concern about silicone getting into breast milk, but it is insignificant.

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Answered by Charles Slack M.D.

Yes, you can still breastfeed. There no health risks to your baby.There was at one time some concern about silicone getting into breast milk, but it is insignificant.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Mark E. Mason, MD, FACS

Published on Mar 02, 2016

This is a common question and concern for many women. Yes, you can still breastfeed after having breast implants. The best incision when placing the implants is under the fold called the inframammary crease---this disturbs the ducts and breast tissue the least and has the lowest infection rate after surgery.

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Answered by Mark E. Mason, MD, FACS

This is a common question and concern for many women. Yes, you can still breastfeed after having breast implants. The best incision when placing the implants is under the fold called the inframammary crease---this disturbs the ducts and breast tissue the least and has the lowest infection rate after surgery.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Larry Leverett, MD, FACS

Published on Mar 02, 2016

Yes, you can still breastfeed. There is no risk to the baby.

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Answered by Larry Leverett, MD, FACS

Yes, you can still breastfeed. There is no risk to the baby.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Robert J. Brueck MD, FACS

Published on Mar 02, 2016

The presence of breast implants will not prevent you from nursing your baby.

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Answered by Robert J. Brueck MD, FACS

The presence of breast implants will not prevent you from nursing your baby.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

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