As magical as pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding can be, there’s no denying the fact that these experiences change a woman’s appearance—particularly her breasts. A mom might seek out breast implants to restore a sense of normalcy after undergoing major body changes.
The truth of the matter is that both natural breasts and breast implants can change during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Keep reading to learn more about what changes to expect and how to address them.
Page Topics
Everything You Need to Know About Breast Implants and Pregnancy
How Does Pregnancy Affect Breasts and Breast Implants?
The effects that pregnancy has on breasts and breast implants aren’t the same for any two women. They can differ not only between different women but also between different pregnancies for the same woman. Some moms may experience significant cosmetic changes during pregnancy and breastfeeding, while others may experience none at all.
Sagging is the most common effect on breasts and breast implants during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Natural hormonal changes cause the breasts to expand during pregnancy and breastfeeding as the milk ducts become full. The milk ducts contract once a woman is finished breastfeeding, causing the breast tissue to shrink along with it and leave behind excess skin. This loss of firmness in the breasts can occur in women who have breast implants as well as those who don’t.
The good news is there are ways to both prevent and correct sagging. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle throughout pregnancy and breastfeeding can reduce the amount of sagging that occurs and even prevent it altogether. This routine can be as simple as eating healthy foods and exercising regularly, which are recommended for a healthy pregnancy anyway. A healthy diet and routine exercise will help you avoid excess pregnancy weight gain, which can exacerbate breast sagging postpartum.
Since sagging is strictly a cosmetic issue, it can easily be corrected postpartum with a revision procedure. Whether you experience minimal or excess sagging postpartum, Dr. Mazaheri can make your breasts look as good as new.
Should You Wait a Certain Period of Time After Getting Implants to Get Pregnant?
Patients can get breast implants whenever they want—until it comes to pregnancy. Like with any invasive procedure, breast implant surgery takes a physical toll on the body and requires ample recovery time. The average recovery period for a woman who undergoes breast implant surgery is four to six weeks. This allows the body time to heal and regain strength.
If you plan to become pregnant after getting breast implants, Dr. Mazaheri recommends waiting those four to six weeks to do so. This waiting period ensures your body has enough time to recover from the procedure and is in proper physical shape to carry and give birth to a child.
If you have any questions or concerns about this matter, feel free to contact us for a consultation.
Should Breast Implants Be Removed Before Getting Pregnant?
You may be wondering if you should have your breast implants removed before getting pregnant. Some women believe that the implants can pose a risk to themselves and even their babies during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
As your trusted plastic surgery provider, we’re here to put your mind at ease. The simple answer is that you don’t need to get your breast implants removed before pregnancy. A woman can have a perfectly healthy pregnancy and breastfeeding experience with breast implants. Now, if you want to have your breast implants removed before getting pregnant for personal reasons, that decision is up to you. We’re just here to tell you that doing so is not medically necessary.
With that said, if you don’t want breast implants during or after pregnancy, you should have them removed before becoming pregnant. Breast removal surgery—also called breast explant surgery—always has the possibility of complications during or after the procedure. The last thing you want to do is put yourself and your baby at risk.
If you’re considering breast explant surgery before becoming pregnant, we recommend speaking with your doctor before making a decision. Dr. Mazaheri and his team are always available for a consultation to address any questions or concerns you may have.
How to Know If You Have Gynecomastia? Read More!
Can You Breastfeed With Breast Implants?
Many expectant moms who have breast implants worry that they won’t be able to breastfeed their babies with them. While breast implants don’t automatically exclude the possibility of breastfeeding, they could impact it. Breast implant size is a determining factor. The larger the breast implants are, the higher a woman’s risk of not being able to breastfeed is. That’s because larger breast implants can cause more tissue damage.
The good news is that the likelihood of not being able to breastfeed with breast implants is relatively low. Breast implants can be perfectly safe for both mom and baby during the breastfeeding process. Also, just because a woman with breast implants can’t successfully breastfeed doesn’t mean the implants are to blame. Many women who don’t have breast implants struggle to breastfeed.
Do Breast Implants Sag After Pregnancy?
While a woman can have a healthy pregnancy and positive breastfeeding experience with breast implants, she should anticipate possible sagging postpartum. While a woman breastfeeds, the breast tissue naturally expands and contracts as the breasts fill with milk for the baby. When a woman stops breastfeeding, the breasts shrink back down to their original size, or even smaller in some cases. This expansion and contraction can leave behind loose, sagging skin.
If you do experience breast sagging postpartum, Dr. Mazaheri can correct it with a simple breast lift surgery. This procedure—also called mastopexy—tightens the skin and lifts the breasts for a firmer appearance. If you’re interested in this procedure, schedule a consultation with us today.
Should You Get Breast Implants if You Plan to Become Pregnant?
If you plan on getting pregnant within the next year, we recommend that you wait to get breast implants until after giving birth and breastfeeding. Likewise, women who desire to alter or remove their breast implants should wait at least six months postpartum to undergo a corrective breast procedure.
Will Your Breasts and Breast Implants Return to Normal After Pregnancy?
You can’t predict what changes your breasts and breast implants will undergo during or after pregnancy. Your breasts and breast implants could go right back to normal, or they could change significantly. All you can do is know the possible changes you may experience and prepare for them the best you can. The good news is that any unwanted changes can be corrected with revision surgery.
Breast Enhancement After Breastfeeding
If you’re one of the women who experiences postpartum breast sagging, you may choose to undergo breast enhancement surgery. This procedure—also known as breast rejuvenation or breast enlargement—can involve either a breast lift, breast implantation, or both. A breast lift involves removing excess skin and tightening the remaining breast tissue. Breast implantation involves filling in the space left behind when the once-expanded breast tissue deflates. We recommend that patients wait up to one year after breastfeeding before undergoing any kind of breast enhancement procedure.
Schedule a Consultation with Dr. Mazaheri
If you’re ready to schedule breast implant surgery in Scottsdale, Dr. Mazaheri is the name you can trust. As a board-certified plastic surgeon, he has the experience and skill required to provide the lasting results you want. Schedule your consultation today to get started.
Dr. Mazaheri is a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and a member of The American Society of Plastic Surgeons. After more than sixteen years of education and advanced training, Dr. Mazaheri opened his Scottsdale practice in 2003. He is a thorough and experienced surgeon with a strong focus on achieving patient needs. Dr. Mazaheri’s areas of specialty include breast and body contouring procedures such as breast augmentation, mastopexy, tummy tucks, liposuction and other body sculpting procedures. He and his friendly staff will only recommend procedures that will help you achieve your desired results. Focusing on your needs both before and after a procedure is Dr. Mazaheri’s top priority.
Comments are closed.