A recent issue of Us Weekly featured celebrity mom-to-be’s Kendra Wilkinson and Kourtney Kardashian talking about breastfeeding with implants. We wanted to get the facts from leading plastic surgeon Dr. Aboolian about the pros and cons of implants beyond pregnancy, and to discuss any possible risks associated with them. We might not have implants now, but if our “girls” drop we’re going to consider it! If you are, too, here are the facts:
Will I produce as much milk if I have implants?
Yes. Having breast implants should not affect breast milk production and breastfeeding.
I have implants. Can I expect my nipples to be more or less sensitive while breastfeeding?
If you have implants that alone should not affect the nipple sensation. In the rare case that it does, either because of nerve manipulation or stretching, then whatever increased sensitivity you get will just be additional. A majority of women have super sensitive nipples during pregnancy and while breast feeding, so if you had sensitive nipples secondary to breast enlargement then the pregnancy and/or breastfeeding will most likely make it worse.
Can the saline/silicone leak into the breastmilk. Can it harm the baby?
No. Neither saline or silicone are harmful and neither can leak into the breast milk with the implants intact; there are many studies showing that saline implants as well as silicone implants do not cause any health concerns or developmental issues for the child. However, if there is a leak with either type of implant then it is recommended to remove and replace the leaking implant(s), because the risks are not well documented.
Is it better to get them after I’ve finished breastfeeding and don’t plan on doing it again?
If you are not considering having children anytime soon or are not working on getting pregnant then it is a good time to get the implants or any other aesthetic breast surgery, assuming that is what you want. However, if you are planning on getting pregnant soon or to have more children soon then it is better to wait until you are done having children.
How long do implants last for? Do they need to be replaced?
Implants may last forever, and in general we don’t change implants unless there is a problem with them. However, according to the statistics one in four women who have breast implants will end up changing their implants within the first decade due to reasons such as request for change of size, capsular contracture (scar tissue around the implant(s)), deflation, malposition, rippling or to switch from saline to silicone.
About Dr. Aboolian:
Currently practicing in Beverly Hills, Dr. Aboolian specializes in aesthetic/cosmetic plastic surgery, liposuction contouring and skin rejuvenation procedures and programs. Dr. Aboolian has been featured on the ABC hit show “Extreme Makeover,” as well as an expert in the Los Angeles Times, New York Times, US Weekly and People Magazine.
Expert advice on the surgery’s pros and cons.
