Should I Wait Until After Kids to Get Implants?

Timing is everything, and that’s especially true for breast augmentation. Your breast augmentation should happen at the right time for you. Are you thinking about getting pregnant? Just finished having kids?  In between? Here are some things to think about.

What Do Kids Have to Do with It?

Pregnancy and breastfeeding can cause the breasts to undergo a wide array of changes that may lead to flatter, deflated breasts.

In general, pregnancy and subsequent breastfeeding cause the breast tissue, specifically the breast glands, to enlarge to allow for lactation. Once the breastfeeding stage is over, the breasts gradually reduce in size and settle. If you are lucky, they will be just like they were before pregnancy. However, sometimes pregnancy and breastfeeding can leave your breasts with stretched-out skin and a substantial loss in volume. Both of those issues can contribute to droop.

A breast augmentation can re-inflate the breasts and often does not require lift.

If your implants were already in place before pregnancy, the changes mentioned above can be more noticeable. A breast lift might be required to place the breasts back over the implant where they belong.

Other Considerations

Planning a breast augmentation is tricky for women who are planning on having more children or thinking about having children in the future.

If you are years away from having kids, you are in good company, as this is the case with most women having breast augmentation.

If you are actively trying to get pregnant or anticipate trying within a year or two, it is best to hold off. After the changes mentioned above, you may need a different kind of augmentation – a different size or shape, or even a lift.  Maybe you won’t even need breast augmentation if your breasts stay larger.

Is It Safe?

For women who decide to keep having children after breast implants, several studies have shown that breastfeeding after receiving implants is completely safe. While there have been some reports that the production of milk is somewhat affected, breastfeeding is still completely possible. Remember, about one-third of women cannot breastfeed, even without surgery.

The safety of breast surgery before or after pregnancy is a question best discussed with an expert on the subject. For a consultation with our experienced breast surgeon Dr. Coan, contact CARE Plastic Surgery today.

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