A commonly asked question during Dallas breast augmentation consultations is whether breast-feeding is affected by the placement of breast implants. The most definitive answer is…maybe….but probably not! The official position of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons is that breast-feeding is not affected by placing silicone breast implants or saline breast implants. There are countless women in the world who have successfully breast fed their babies after breast augmentation.

There are some important facts to know, though. First, it’s well accepted that certain incisions are more prone to causing nipple and areola (the pigmented skin surrounding the nipple) numbness. The periareolar incision is the most likely to do this. It is reasonable to assume that nipple numbness, although not preventing breast-feeding can impede the mother’s ability to do so. Second, there is debate about whether silicone from implants can leak into breast milk, and if it does, whether it’s harmful to a baby. Despite repeated attempts to prove so, no large studies conclusively demonstrate higher levels of silicone in breast milk of mothers with silicone breast implants, nor do they show a higher incidence of autism, autoimmune disorders, swallowing dysfunction, or other disease.

So, in a nutshell, it’s more than reasonable for mothers with breast implants to attempt breastfeeding and to feel comfortable that they are not negatively impacting the health of their babies. For more information, or to schedule a consultation, don’t hesitate to contact our office at 214-827-2814.