The question of when to have breast augmentation is one that Dr. David Mashhadian discusses with his patients regularly. While many younger women are interested in this surgery, there are concerns as to whether the surgery could affect future pregnancies and breastfeeding. Because there are many factors that go into determining the right time for breast augmentation, it is important to weigh all of your options before moving forward with your procedure.
The Question of Safety
Some women worry that moving forward with breast augmentation too early could impact their ability to get pregnant or the safety of their pregnancy. Fortunately, this concern is largely unfounded. The FDA has determined, based on 10-year studies, that silicone breast implants do not have any impact on a woman’s ability to get pregnant. They also do not increase any risks during pregnancy, including risks of miscarriage or birth defects.
The Question of Breastfeeding
The question of breastfeeding after breast augmentation is a little trickier to answer. For the large majority of women, breast implants will not impact their ability to breastfeed or make the practice unsafe for their children in any way. There are some women that have difficulty breastfeeding and attribute the problem to their breast surgery. However, it is difficult to know whether the surgery itself is the factor or if the challenges to breastfeeding would have been present even if surgery had not been performed.
The Question of Breast Changes
Changes to the augmented breasts after pregnancy and breastfeeding are probably the concerns that boast the most merit for women weighing the timing of their breast augmentation surgery. It is not unusual for breasts to change size or shape after pregnancy and nursing. Because it is difficult to predict which women will see the biggest changes, it is equally difficult to determine whether breast augmentation prior to pregnancy will have an influence on those changes. Fortunately, additional procedures may be performed after pregnancy if you are unhappy with the appearance of your breasts at this time.
Making the Right Choice
Choosing breast augmentation is a highly personal decision, and so is determining the best timing for your procedure. If you are considering breast implants prior to having children, it is important to share your concerns and questions with Dr. Mashhadian prior to your procedure.
