Breast Implants Before and After Pregnancy
It goes without saying: having a baby is one of the most exciting and life-changing events in a woman’s life. No wonder breast implants are not top of mind! But if you’re pregnant, or getting ready for motherhood, it’s a good idea to learn about breast implants and body changes.
Breast Implants and Pregnancy
You already know that your breasts will enlarge as pregnancy progresses. Your implants really don’t make much difference except that you will grow larger than you would have without them. When we meet a younger breast augmentation candidate in New York, we make sure to have a discussion about future childbearing plans.
As we plan surgery strategy, we will take extra care to work carefully around milk ducts. We talk with each patient about implant placement to give her every chance to breastfeed successfully if that’s her goal.
After Baby Arrives
The good news is that more than 80% of women start out breastfeeding, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). And although just about a third of moms continue beyond their child’s first birthday, reasons for stopping don’t usually have anything to do with breast implants. An article in Time magazine a few years ago cited these top reasons women have for abandoning breast feeding soon after birth: baby’s difficulty in latching on, breastfeeding pain and concern about producing enough milk.
There’s one important factor to keep in mind, however, and it’s a topic we bring up with our young New York breast augmentation patients: if you have scant breast tissue to begin with, or tuberous breasts, the chances you can breastfeed successfully may be lower whether or not you elect to get breast implants. If you have a decent amount of milk ducts before surgery, implants will likely not make any difference.
As You Get Your Body Back
Once you stop breastfeeding, your milk ducts will shrink and your breasts will get smaller. Whether they bounce back into position depends mainly on the elasticity of your skin. And here’s where breast size, including implants, can play a role. The more weight your skin has to support, the more likely you may not be content with your shape. If this is the case, here are some cosmetic surgery options:
• Breast lift: You may be surprised to learn how many women elect breast lift surgery in the U.S. each year. According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, more than 150,000 breast lifts were performed in 2018, and the number is rising. Not only that, 95% of RealSelf members report satisfaction with the procedure.
• Mommy makeover: In truth, a mommy makeover can be just about any combination of cosmetic surgery procedures you and your surgeon agree on, as long as the plan ensures your safety. Having said that, almost every mommy makeover we perform for women in New York includes breast surgery. Many moms want their breasts lifted to counteract post-pregnancy sagging. Some decide to exchange their implants at this point—for a different size or filling—and a few even elect to remove their implants.
Many women also choose to have liposuction around their midsection. It’s not at all unusual for stray fat deposits to linger even when moms achieve their ideal weight. Some people elect a full tummy tuck, also known as abdominoplasty, to address stretched muscles and loose skin as well as stubborn pockets of fat.
If you’re planning breast augmentation surgery in New York with pregnancy down the road, come in and see us. We’ll spend extra time with you to help you understand all the details and make good decisions. If childbearing is behind you and you’re unhappy with its toll on your body, we can help with that too. Give us a call at 212-570-6080 today.
