Do You Have to Remove Breast Implants When Breastfeeding?
Breast implants are one of the most popular plastic surgery around the world. In the US alone, around 300,000 breast implant surgeries happen every year. Breast implants have helped millions of women regain self-confidence and correct any flaws in their appearance.
However, many women also choose to remove their breast implants. Breast implants are not a permanent change, so patients can get them removed at any time. But should mothers remove their breast implants to aid in their breastfeeding journey?
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Can You Remove Breast Implants?
Breast implants, unlike some cosmetic surgeries, can be removed and replaced. Breast implant removal is a generally safe outpatient procedure and lasts one and a half to three hours.
Some women might want their breast implants removed because they no longer want them. But breast implant removal is also necessary if your implants were ruptured, exposed, or infected.
Your surgeon may remove only the implants or may include the scar tissues that form around your breast implants. The incision may be done under or around the areola or underneath the breasts. You can leave the hospital on the same day as your surgery.
Do You Have to Remove Breast Implants When Breastfeeding?
Breast implants should not get in the way of your breastfeeding. It is not necessary to get surgery right away. Plus, getting breast surgery can put your milk supply at risk because surgeons may touch your sensitive nerves and milk ducts.
Like any surgery, patients need to undergo recovery. Removing your implants while breastfeeding will make it more uncomfortable to produce milk. If you have plans to remove your breast implants, it is best to wait until your baby is weaned off breast milk.
There might be other reasons why you might want to get your breast implants removed or replaced. Breast implants are not permanent and will degrade over time. Although women have different preferences and needs, implants should be checked every 10-15 years.
Leakage and damage to the implant’s shell can cause problems inside the breasts. This is a medical emergency, and your implants should be removed immediately.
Can You Breastfeed With Smaller Breasts?
One reason why many women want to get breast implants is to increase the size of their busts. But while breast surgery can add a plus to your cup size and confidence, it will not affect breastfeeding.
You can still breastfeed your baby no matter what your bust size is. Women with smaller breasts may have to feed more because they have lesser capacity. But that does not mean they won’t produce as much milk as someone with a bigger chest.
There are many ways to increase your milk supply, such as feeding your infant frequently or using a breast pump to express milk during your baby’s downtime. A healthy lifestyle and a balanced diet can also improve your milk production.
Are Breast Implants Safe While Breastfeeding?
There have been no reported cases where babies have had problems with breastfeeding due to breast implants. Even the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has found little evidence that implants are dangerous while breastfeeding. So you can continue breastfeeding your infant even if you have implants.
