Does Breast Lift Surgery Affect Breastfeeding?

A breast lift addresses sagging breasts that often occur after weight fluctuations or pregnancy. Many women choose this procedure after having children to restore their pre-pregnancy bodies. What happens if you get pregnant after a breast lift and wish to breastfeed your newborn? This blog covers how breast lift surgery can affect breastfeeding and steps you can take to increase your odds of breastfeeding success afterward. It should be noted that given the many similarities between breast lift and breast reduction surgery, all of the information that follows also applies to breast reduction surgery. 

Table of Contents

• How Long After Pregnancy Should I Wait to Receive a Breast Lift?
• Breastfeeding After a Breast Lift: Is It Possible?
• Breastfeeding Concerns After a Breast Lift
• Will a Future Pregnancy Affect My Breast Lift Surgery Results?
• Factors Affecting Breastfeeding Success

How Long After Pregnancy Should I Wait to Receive a Breast Lift?

Most surgeons recommend waiting at least six months to one year after pregnancy before having a breast lift. This allows your body time to recover from pregnancy-related hormonal changes and gives the breasts an opportunity to settle into their natural post-pregnancy shape.

Breastfeeding After a Breast Lift: Is It Possible?

Many women can breastfeed after breast lift surgery, although most plastic surgeons recommend patients wait until they are finished having children to undergo this procedure. If a woman wants to undergo surgery knowing there is a possibility she will breastfeed later, she should talk to her surgeon to ensure her surgical plan accounts for future family concerns.

If a woman breastfed, it is usually best to wait several months after breastfeeding has fully ended before moving forward with surgery. During this time, milk production subsides, and breast tissue stabilizes, which can lead to more predictable and longer-lasting results.

Women may opt to combine their breast lift with implants if they want to increase volume, or a breast reduction to reduce their size. However, these additional procedures may increase the likelihood of disruption to milk ducts or nerves, which can further impact a woman’s ability to breastfeed later. 

Breastfeeding Concerns After a Breast Lift 

There are two primary concerns after a breast lift regarding breastfeeding: 

Nipple Sensation

A breast lift often involves repositioning the nipple and areola higher on the breast. When Dr. Gougoutas moves or changes the nipple during your breast lift surgery, temporary changes in sensation are common. Since breastfeeding depends on the suckling sensation to stimulate milk production, any loss of sensation is a concern. The good news is that the loss is usually temporary, with most women regaining sensation within six months.

If you think there is a possibility you will want to breastfeed after your breast lift surgery, Dr. Gougoutas may advise against moving the nipple or may recommend techniques that preserve its connection to the underlying glandular tissue. Another option is to move the nipple without separating it from the glandular tissue, which keeps the lactation system and nerves intact in the breast.  

Milk Production 

Milk production is another concern after breast lift surgery. Production may be disrupted if nipple sensation is lost or reduced, as this stimulus helps drive production. Another concern is unintentional damage to the milk ducts during surgery, which may reduce the amount of milk that can pass through the breasts. Even if a surgeon avoids severing any milk ducts, scar tissue can form around them, potentially affecting production.

Dr. Gougoutas may adjust his surgical technique if a patient wants to try to preserve their ability to breastfeed. For example, he may decide to modify the incision site or the amount of lift to maintain the breastfeeding mechanism. Choosing a surgeon with extensive experience and advanced techniques in breast enhancement surgery is critical to ensure the best possible results.

Dr. Alexander Gougoutas is a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon with specialized training in microsurgery. His comprehensive understanding of breast form allows him to artfully shape the breast according to his patients’ aesthetic goals, while keeping future family plans in mind. 

Will a Future Pregnancy Affect My Breast Lift Surgery Results?

A future pregnancy can affect the results of a breast lift, although the amount of change varies from woman to woman. Pregnancy causes the breasts to enlarge and stretch, which may lead to some loss of lift over time.

For this reason, many women choose to wait until they are finished having children before undergoing a breast lift. However, pregnancy after breast lift surgery does not undo the procedure, and many women still maintain improved breast shape compared to their pre-surgery appearance.

Factors Affecting Breastfeeding Success 

Most women who undergo breast lift surgery can successfully breastfeed afterward, while many women without prior breast surgery also experience breastfeeding challenges. There is no guarantee you will be able to breastfeed, with or without prior surgeries. For women who do opt for surgery first, these factors may impact breastfeeding success:

• Patient’s Natural Ability: Women who can breastfeed before surgery are more likely to be able to do so afterward. 
• Surgical Technique: A surgeon must preserve the structures for breastfeeding, including nerve pathways, milk ducts, and the nipple-areolar complex. 
• Time After Surgery: Women who wait longer after surgery to breastfeed allow sufficient time for nerves and tissues to heal and allow for successful breastfeeding. 
• Recovery and Healing: Women who follow their post-operative instructions have better breastfeeding outcomes. 

Thinking About a Breast Lift in Seattle? 

A breast lift offers dramatic improvement in the body contour, making it one of the most popular cosmetic surgeries performed today. Dr. Gougoutas provides the highest level of patient-centered care and advanced techniques to ensure all his patients experience a positive outcome.

To learn more about breast lifts in Seattle, call our office at (206) 320-6138 or complete our online contact form.