The ability to breastfeed has become a growing concern for women who have had breast surgeries in the past. Since more and more single and childless women have been undergoing breast operations, the medical community has come together to address this problem once and for all.
The different types of breast reconstruction, or breast injury for that matter, can affect a woman’s ability to produce milk. The main concern is not whether a foreign element is placed inside the breast. Only surgeries that damage or cut the milk duct and nerves will affect someone’s breast feeding abilities.
Before undergoing any type of breast surgery, make sure to consult the doctor who will be performing the operation. You may specifically ask your doctor to leave your milk ducts untouched or unaffected. However, there are some surgical procedures where doing this will be almost impossible.
Choosing Breast Surgery with Future Breastfeeding in Mind
Women considering cosmetic breast surgery should openly discuss their plans to breastfeed in the future with their surgeon. Procedures like periareolar incisions (around the nipple) are more likely to affect milk ducts and sensory nerves, which play a critical role in milk letdown and production.
Opting for incisions in less disruptive areas, such as the inframammary fold (under the breast), may help preserve breastfeeding ability. When searching for a “breastfeeding-safe breast surgery,” prioritize surgeons with experience in preserving lactation function and ask about post-surgery breastfeeding success rates.
Breast Feeding After Biopsy
Biopsy operations usually involve removal of a lump in the chest area. If you are in need of such procedure yet you plan to nurse in the future, you may ask your surgeon to remove as little breast tissue as possible and to spare the ducts from the incisions.
However, carrying this out will be highly unlikely for lumps that aren’t easily felt. Damaging a few milk ducts is necessary for cases like these.
Women who have undergone such operation usually cannot feed from the side in which they had the biopsy. Since the other side is left untouched, feeding the baby and meeting its needs for milk have to be carried out from there.
Breastfeeding After Mastectomy and Breast Reconstruction
For women who have undergone a mastectomy due to breast cancer or other medical conditions, breastfeeding is generally not possible on the affected side, as both the glandular tissue and milk ducts are removed during the procedure. However, if a single mastectomy was performed, and the other breast remains intact, some milk production may still be possible.
In cases involving breast reconstruction, especially those using autologous tissue (like the DIEP flap or TRAM flap), the ability to breastfeed largely depends on whether the nerves and ducts have been preserved.
Consulting a lactation consultant and your plastic surgeon ahead of time can help set realistic expectations about breastfeeding after mastectomy and reconstruction.
Breast Feeding After Breast Reduction Surgery
A woman’s breast feeding ability after a breast reduction surgery highly depends on how much breast and glandular tissue was taken out, and on whether the milk ducts are still attached to their nipples.
One type of breast reduction procedures involve cutting away the nipple and areola and moving them upward; while another simply leaves them attached to the original breast tissues, leaving the ducts intact.
The waiting period between the surgery and the feeding period is also a factor in the equation. The longer the wait is, the more successful you will be.
Tell your surgeon if you plan to breast feed after having your breast reduction. This way, he can leave the necessary glands intact and ensure that you are left with the necessary parts.
Breast Feeding After Breast Augmentation
Women who have had breast augmentation for enlargement are still capable of breast feeding, as well. However, there are cases in which women find that they have insufficient milk after getting implants.
Breast augmentation usually involves incisions beneath the breast, where most of the milk ducts are, which may be responsible for poor milk supply.
There has also been a rising concern about the dangers that silicone implants bring to breast-fed babies. While the implants themselves do not interfere with a woman’s ability to breast feed, silicone may be passed on through the milk if an implant ruptures.
With proper consultation and planning, encountering problems after breast surgeries may be avoided. Just make sure that you explain your plan to your surgeon and lay out the necessary fitness plan for recovery.
Tips for Breastfeeding Success After Breast Surgery
If you’ve had breast surgery and wish to breastfeed, know that it is still possible in many cases, although you may need additional support. Working closely with a certified lactation consultant can help maximize milk supply and ensure proper latching.
Techniques like frequent nursing, breast massage, and using a breast pump can stimulate milk production. Supplementing with donor milk or formula may be necessary if supply is low, but many mothers successfully breastfeed even with a history of breast surgery. Search for “lactation consultants for post-surgery breastfeeding” or “how to increase milk supply after breast augmentation” to find targeted resources.