As you may already know, breasts change over time due to a variety of factors including puberty and also pregnancy. Childbirth and nursing especially have an impact on your breasts, which is why many women ask our team about breast implants — and more importantly the best time to get them.
At The Vu Center, our team is dedicated to ensuring you receive the highest quality of care and services from the time you call in for your consultation, to the time you go in for plastic surgery. Since many women get breast implants before they are ready to have a child, there may be many questions you have surrounding your implants and pregnancy. Rest assured that our team of certified doctors will guide you throughout your plastic surgery journey — before and after pregnancy. In today’s post, we will be providing you with helpful information on how pregnancy affects your breasts and breast implants. Keep reading to learn more and contact our team today for a consultation!
How Pregnancy May Change the Breasts
Throughout pregnancy and breastfeeding, women’s bodies go through a variety of hormonal changes. These hormones often cause the breasts to become engorged, as well as increase or decrease in size. While some of these changes may be temporary, it is important to remember that breast tissue is a combination of both glandular and fatty tissue, which makes them more susceptible to changes due to hormones and even weight gain or loss.
Breast Augmentation Before Pregnancy
Breast implants and other breast augmentation procedures are often faced with questions of “How will this affect my breastfeeding journey later on in life?” While every woman is different, some incisions made during the procedure involve cutting the glandular tissue which could make it more difficult to breastfeed or put you at a higher risk of mastitis. It is always important to discuss with your plastic surgeon your goals for not only your physical appearance but also for your reproductive health. If you are looking to start a family soon, your surgeon may recommend a different type of implant, a different approach to the procedure with different incisions, or even other modifications for your individual needs.
Breast Lift Surgery After Pregnancy
After pregnancy and breastfeeding, many of our clients reach out to restore their bodies to pre-pregnancy conditions with a breast lift or implants to give their breasts a desired shape. Breast lifts and augementations are very popular procedures often offered as a “mommy makeover” session. This is a special package designed specifically for women post-pregancy to gain back their confidence and love their bodies. Tummy tucks, liposuction, and even breast implants are often performed.
Timing Your Breast Augmentation
Everybody is different, which makes it so hard to determine the “best time” for breast augmentation surgery. If you are currently pregnant or breastfeeding, talking with your OBGYN about elective procedures such as breast enlargement, breast reduction, or even reconstruction surgery, can be helpful in the decision-making process. Many doctors suggest that you wait until after the birth of your baby or until you are finished breastfeeding to minimize health risks as well as reduce your chance of needing breast revision surgery. If you are trying to conceive, you can get them now or wait until after pregnancy — the choice is totally up to you. Just remember that breasts do change throughout your pregnancy and you may need a breast revision after.
No matter your choice, rest assured that if you already have breast implants before pregnancy, you can breastfeed if you want to. Your implants should not have an impact on your pregnancy, but the main challenge women experience is the size and shape changes that come along with it. However, breast size and shape can also change for a variety of factors including weight gain or loss, menopause, and other life changes. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to our certified team today! We would be happy to answer any questions you may have during a consultation.
Next Steps
If you are considering breast implants, our plastic surgeons at The Vu Center in Beaverton, Oregon can help you decide which procedure is right for you taking into consideration your family planning goals. If you decide now is the right time for you, our team will be with you every step of the way during and after your procedure to help ensure optimal healing and results. Restore your confidence. Schedule your consultation today!