2 issues:

Potential unpredictability of your "final" post partum/post nursing breast appearance warrants waiting at least a few months after nursing

It can occur that breast milk may "leak" out with proceeding to early leading to delayed healing and infection

Published on Jul 11, 2012

You should always wait at least 6 months after breast feeding before getting breast implants. If you're still secreting milk, you could develop milk cysts around the implants that could increase the risk of developing capsule contractions and hardening of the tissue surrounding the implants. This would require further surgery. Thus, wait.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

Stability is the goal. It is always best to exhibit restraint in the post-partum period. This is due to the fact that your body is changing dramatically during this period. The hormonal fluctuation can alter size and shape widely during the immediate post-partum period and can continue through the period of nursing. Body contouring during this period is the equivalent of hitting a moving target.

The optimal candidate for surgery has reached a healthy stable weight. In the setting of a recent pregnancy and delivery this stable weight can take some time to reach. A general rule of thumb is at least 6-9 months post-partum. If you choose to breast-feed through the first year of life you should allow at least three months following the discontinuation of breast-feeding before considering any procedures.

While there may be variations in the recommendations from one physician to another, the goal is the same—stability. Thus a delay of 9 months or 3 months post cessation of breast feeding (whichever is longer) will ensure that you have reached a plateau.

With regards to your specific question, the risk of early intervention is the risk of over or underestimating your goals based on an evolving pre-operative picture. You are essentially a moving target, and that is harder to hit.

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

Published on Jul 11, 2012

If you are still breast feeding then your breasts are larger than what they will be when you stop, as well as more perky. I usually recommend to my patients to wait until several months after breast feeding or to use a larger implant to compensate.

Published on Jul 11, 2012