subject: Breast Lift: How Does It Affect Breastfeeding? [print this page] Many women who consider some form of surgery, be it implants or a breast lift, are rightfully concerned about the possible effects it might have on their ability to properly breastfeed their children. While there are always risks and potential complications, it still might be possible to breastfeed your child after cosmetic surgery.
Some women may find themselves facing some challenges after procedure, but many of these can be overcome with a few helpful techniques and support from an experienced doctor.
Any surgery can potentially damage or destroy nerve endings and the milk ducts, which may make breastfeeding impossible or very difficult. However, it depends on the type of surgery, the skill of the surgeon, and each woman's individual anatomy. Implants generally won't affect breastfeeding at all, unless there is a problem during procedure or if extensive nipple reconstruction or repositioning takes place, which has the potential to damage. Insertion of implants through areola incision also increases the chances of damage to the milk ducts.
Another type of cosmetic surgery, reduction, poses the biggest obstacle to successful breastfeeding. During this procedure excess breast tissue is removed and the breasts are reshaped to be smaller and more balanced. Often times the nipple will be removed, or at the very least, repositioned, which may mean complete severing of the glands that can cause an inability to produce milk or a great reduction in the amount expressed.
Women who undergo reductions before pregnancy also risk their size increasing again before giving birth. Women's tissue tends to grow during this time, so women who are considering reduction may want to wait until they are finished having children to avoid returning to their former chest size.
A lift probably carries the least amount of potential feeding complications out of all cosmetic procedures; unless, of course, a breast reduction or implants are performed simultaneously with the lift. During a lift, incisions are created in the breast crease and vertically upwards toward the nipple.
None of the glandular tissue is disturbed; rather the skin is tightened and lifted slightly to create a more youthful breast. In some cases a partial areola incision may be necessary, but this is still unlikely to cause any complications. If you would like the nipple and areola repositioned or reshaped, the risks of it affecting breastfeeding increase, so you may want to discuss options with your plastic surgeon beforehand.
Complete inability to breastfeed is very rare regardless if the patient underwent a lift, implants, or even a reduction. More often than not the breasts will produce a reduced amount of milk rather than none at all. In this case, most women supplement their baby's diet with formula.
There are even some products available that allow for simultaneous breastfeeding with a special tube that can be hung near the nipple to provide extra formula. Many mothers find using bottles just as effective and simple.
by: Abigail Aaronson
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