Breast implantation is the alteration in the shape or size of the breast through several surgical procedures. The surgery for breast implants includes an operation to insert a fluid filled sac into a woman’s breast. They are safe and mostly leak-proof (though this cannot always be guaranteed). There have been apprehension by some women who have had breast implant and this has often centered on their ability to breastfeed afterwards. This concern has been more with celebrities who are mostly guilty of implants like Kim Kardashian.
Breast implants may often affect your breastfeeding but its intensity depends on how much damage has been done to the areola. This does not mean it is not still possible to breastfeed after an implant. Moreover, nothing can be compared to breast milk, no matter how little. An incision around the armpit will have less impact on breastfeeding than one done across a portion of the areola or around it.
Generally, breast implant surgeries will affect the amount of stimulation on the nipple because of severance of some nerves or ducts; it is either increased or reduced especially if the breast has gone through some augmentation using silicon. However, a sensation on the nipple after an implant is a good sign which often mean that the breast can still produce milk.
There are other factors that generally affect a woman’s ability to breastfeed besides the implant. Tubular-shaped breasts are known to have not enough glandular tissue which makes women with such breast experience reduced lactation. Others are widely spaced and underdeveloped breasts. Women with reduced lactation will have to make up using specially prepared baby formula or look for a milk donor.
An expert, Greenberg, explained that whether it is a silicone or saline implant, where it is implanted can stipulate if the woman can still breastfeed or not. Greenberg explained that infirmary incision is more desirable than nipple incision and anyone that has gone for the former should have less worries about breastfeeding.
There are a number of ways to go about the problem faced by breast implant of lactation if the person is feeling concerned about breastfeeding and one of them is to put off the procedure till the last baby has been born and catered for. That way you will have absolutely nothing to worry about.
On the other hand, those that went for surgery because of underdeveloped breast have a higher chance of running into problem during breastfeeding. It is advised that they use a pump on the nipple after each time they breastfeed to stimulate the breast into lactation.
Irrespective of the challenge of breastfeeding, breast implant can improve aesthetics and confidence of the lady which is very vital to her self-esteem. Also, breast implant comes in handy where a surgery to remove cancerous cells has been carried out. It is always good to consult with your doctor to be sure that your baby is getting enough breast milk to avoid starving your baby.