For over 330,000 women and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), 2012 was the year of the silicone breast implant. Since the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) lifted the moratorium on the silicone implant in 2006 its popularity has skyrocketed: women everywhere have opted in for reshaping their bodies, with most undergoing the procedure in their 20s. But as that decade comes to a close and a new one starts a lot of women are worried: how will breast implants affect breastfeeding my baby? 
The Myth It’s long been an urban legend muttered by mothers everywhere: breast implants prevent you from properly breastfeeding your baby. They lead to sagging, they can be harmful, and there are even rumors about how they can cause other health problems following pregnancy. But is there really any truth to it? According to ASPS, they’re all false: breastfeeding following breast augmentation surgery is entirely possible and quickly becoming a common occurrence. While getting breast implants may affect your body in other ways, it doesn’t appear to have much of an impact upon breastfeeding: whether you’re successful or not at producing milk is largely up to your body, regardless of surgery. BFAR, an organization dedicated to breastfeeding after surgery, explains that the woman’s body pre-surgery determines how successful she will be at breastfeeding. Following surgery, milk production may slow momentarily due to the healing process. For example, naturally small breasts may have trouble producing a full milk supply due to a lack of glandular tissue. Breast type can also impact milk production negatively. Tubular-shaped, widely spaced, undeveloped, and asymmetrical breasts all have a higher risk of reduced breastfeeding capacity. Another popular concern women have is how breastfeeding after a breast implant surgery may affect the appearance of their breast. Specifically, sagging appears to be a large concern. However, expecting moms everywhere can rest easy: breastfeeding doesn’t result in implant sagging, according to an ASPS study. Alternatively, the study found the number of pregnancies had a greater influence on breast appearance than breastfeeding did. 
The Truth So, if it doesn’t halt milk production or cause your breasts to sag in spite of implants, what does breast augmentation and breastfeeding do? Breast implants have several potential complications, including scar tissue, minor breast pain, and changes in nipple and breast sensitivity. In rare cases, the implant may need to be removed. Breastfeeding, on the other hand, appears to have nothing but benefits for your body. Not only does it help reduce stress and the potential of developing post-partum depression, breastfeeding also impacts your risk of certain types of cancer and does nothing but strengthen your baby. If you’ve been among the millions of new mommies worried about how your breast implants will affect your ability to breastfeed, you can rest easy: numerous studies have thus far found few negative results. If you’re concerned about your ability to breastfeed, please contact your doctor; but for any questions regarding your implants or your breast type, we’d be happy to help!
