Ideally, you’d wait until you’ve finished building your family to pursue breast enhancement or other cosmetic surgeries, due to the drastic changes that occur during pregnancy. But life doesn’t always follow a perfect timeline. What if you become pregnant after you’ve already had a breast lift? Can you still breastfeed? And should you delay surgery if children may be in your future?
At Plastic Surgery Specialists in Birmingham, AL, Dr. Jason Jack and Dr. Rob Oliver frequently discuss these questions with patients. Understanding how pregnancy affects the breasts and influences your breast lift results can help you make a confident, informed decision.
5 Min. Read:
Table of Contents
- How Pregnancy Affects the Breasts
- Should I Wait Until After Having Children to Get a Breast Lift?
- Will Breast Lift Surgery Affect Breastfeeding?
- Will I Need a Breast Revision After Pregnancy?
- Planning Ahead
How Pregnancy Affects the Breasts
Among the many physical changes that occur during pregnancy, the breasts are perhaps the most affected. Hormonal shifts stimulate the milk-producing glands, increasing breast volume and fullness. Blood flow increases, glandular tissue expands, the skin stretches to accommodate the added weight, and the areolas may grow larger and darker to make it easier for a baby to latch. These changes impact the shape, skin integrity, and internal ligaments, called Cooper’s ligaments, that support the breast.
When breastfeeding is complete, the glandular tissue shrinks again, but the skin may not snap back. The result is saggy, deflated breasts and a loss of upper pole fullness.
After multiple pregnancies, dramatic weight fluctuations, or nursing for extended periods of time, these effects on the breasts can intensify. Thus, women who undergo breast lift surgery before they’ve finished having children may experience a reversal of their results.
Should I Wait Until After Having Children to Get a Breast Lift?
If you are trying to conceive or planning to become pregnant within the next few years, most surgeons would advise that you wait to get a breast lift until after you’re finished breastfeeding. As outlined previously, having children after getting a breast lift can reverse your results, and the same is true for breastfeeding.
On the other hand, maybe you’re not sure if you even want to become pregnant, or perhaps you foresee it, but not until many years down the road. And as of right now, you may be experiencing negative emotions, distress, or physical discomfort due to breasts that are sagging or drooping. In this case, getting a breast lift might be a good choice, offering years of comfort and confidence.
This decision is highly personal. An honest discussion with a board-certified plastic surgeon can help guide you toward the plan that’s right for you.
Will Breast Lift Surgery Affect Breastfeeding?
Most women have no issues breastfeeding after a breast lift, especially if a strategic incision is used (such as periareolar or lollipop). At Plastic Surgery Specialists, our surgeons take care to preserve the integrity of milk ducts and nerves during breast lift procedures.
That said, everyone heals in their own way. Surgery can reduce nipple sensitivity and affect milk flow. If the ability to breastfeed in the future is a top priority for you, make sure to discuss this with your surgeon.
Will I Need a Breast Revision After Pregnancy?
It depends. Some women are pleasantly surprised by how well their results hold up even after pregnancy. Many times it’s because their weight is stable, they wear supportive bras, and they care for their skin.
That said, other women may breastfeed for extended periods or naturally experience drastic changes in breast size. For these women, a minor revision surgery can be a great refresher, or they may opt to add volume with fat grafting or pursue breast augmentation.
Once your body has stabilized and you’re finished breastfeeding, you may just need a touch-up procedure to restore or enhance your original results, without the full recovery involved in the first surgery.
Planning Ahead
If you’re thinking about breast lift surgery, but aren’t sure where it fits into your plans to build a family, some careful thought can make all the difference. At the very least, there are a few guidelines that may help you protect your investment and your body.
Before surgery, be honest with your surgeon about future family plans. This includes whether you plan to have children, when you plan to have children, and even if you’re on the fence about it.
You should avoid becoming pregnant immediately after surgery. Give yourself at least a year to heal before conceiving. It’s not ideal and potentially unsafe to put your body through that much change in a short period of time.
Maintain a stable weight as best as you can before and after surgery. This will help preserve your breast shape and skin integrity.
Finally, understand that pregnancy doesn’t necessarily ruin results, but it certainly may alter them. Still, pregnancy can’t completely reverse the surgical reshaping of breast tissue. Many women still look better post-pregnancy than they would have without ever having had a breast lift to begin with.
Learn More About Pregnancy and Breast Lift Surgery in Birmingham, AL
If you’re considering breast lift surgery or have questions about where pregnancy fits into the picture, we can help. At Plastic Surgery Specialists, our board-certified plastic surgeons, Dr. Jason Jack or Dr. Rob Oliver, always emphasize patient education and are happy to guide you through what will be most effective for your goals and lifestyle.
To schedule a consultation, call our office today at (205) 298-8660 or complete our online contact form.