I have breast implants. Recently I found out I was pregnant. I plan to breastfeed, but I hear from so many women that it causes the breasts to drop and deflate. Will this happen even though I have breast implants? Will I need to have my breasts readjusted once I'm done breastfeeding?
Breastfeeding does not cause your breasts to drop or lose volume. The change in the shape of the implanted breast after pregnancy varies greatly from one person to another. Primarily, it is genetically determined rather than being dependent on whether or not the choice is to nurse.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
The breasts do what breast do in response to pregnancy, weight gain/lost, and breast feeding/engorgement. They change regardless of the presence or absence of breast implants. When the breastfeeding is over, the breasts will try to revert back to a non-engorged appearance. Sometimes they return nicely without extra tissue and without stretch marks. Others require either a breast lift, augmentation, or reduction, or combination of breast lift with concomitant augmentation.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Pregnancy and breastfeeding may cause your breast to drop and "deflate". This can be adjusted with various types of uplifts and/or implant exchange for larger size, if desired.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
That is a possibility, but just wait and see. In the meantime, enjoy your baby. Should you need an "adjustment" or anything fixed down the line, a good plastic surgeon can assist with your needs.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Breastfeeding and pregnancy alone can cause dramatic changes in the breasts, regardless of implants. There is no way to predict how your breasts will change during your pregnancy. If you do have concerns, both before and after, we do recommend that you contact your plastic surgeon's office to properly address them and have them follow up with you appropriately. Best wishes for your new adventure!
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Great question. This is so individual that it is hard to answer for your particular case. More often than not, the breasts will change somewhat post-pregnancy with or without breastfeeding. Whether you will be satisfied with your appearance post-pregnancy is impossible for anyone to predict. That said, post-pregnancy or post-breastfeeding does not make altering the breast shape or adjusting the implants impossible. We just need to take a little extra time to listen to the patient and help figure out what shape/size to return the breasts to.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Yes. Most women find that after pregnancy and nursing, their breasts change. If you have breast implants prior to getting pregnant/nursing, you may see that afterwards things look different. It is not that the breast implants have changed, it is due to your body/breasts changing. You may need revision after pregnancy, but not all patients do. I hope this helps.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
There is no way to predict whether you will need a "tune up" after breastfeeding. It is all very subjective. I had one patient that nursed 3 children after implants and was still happy with her implants. Nurse your baby.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Your breast implants will not shrink, but the breast tissue surrounding them may. You may also get stretch marks and excess skin that may need to be lifted. Just relish and enjoy the joy of a new baby.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
First of all, congratulations. Pregnancy has an unpredictable effect on your breasts. I have seen many women whose breasts have not been affected by pregnancy. On the other hand, I've seen women whose breasts become larger or smaller after pregnancy. Breastfeeding will cause your breasts to swell and remain swollen during the course of your nursing. Even though you have implants, the above can happen to some degree with your natural breasts. You will not have to have your implants readjusted after breastfeeding, but it is impossible to say whether or not you might require a lift. Good luck with your pregnancy and enjoy your baby, enjoy nursing. Whatever happens, remember it can be fixed if necessary.
Published on Jul 11, 2012