Breast augmentation is a widely discussed and debated procedure in plastic surgery worldwide. Breast Augmentation Surgery in Dubai can turn out to be your life-changing decision. It undergoes a method that involves improving the size and appearance of breasts by placing gel, saline, or silicone breast implants above or beneath the breast muscle. It can be achieved through prepectoral, retropectoral, retroglandular, and retromuscular surgical methods, depending on the inframammary, axillary, or umbilical implant location.
How does it impact breastfeeding?
The complications of Breast Augmentation Surgery involve the risk of breastfeeding. It highly depends on whether the surgery performed is for aesthetic purposes or it is a reconstructive surgery, such as a mastectomy. As it is an optional surgical procedure, women need to go through their decision thoroughly, whether to perform it or not. They must have the knowledge about its short-term and long-term risks.
The surgeon performing your surgery must be informed bout your plans regarding pregnancy and breastfeeding to ascertain the appropriate type of surgery. Intervention and the surgical technique play a key role in determining whether you’ll face complications during breastfeeding or not. It is recommended to leave at least 1 year between breast augmentation surgery and pregnancy to decrease the likelihood that milk production will be affected.
How is the problem caused during breastfeeding
Breast augmentation procedures affect the nerves and ducts within the breasts and directly influence lactation. Breast implants beneath the muscle usually affect milk production less than implants above the muscle. Incisions around the areola and if it is completely detached from the nipples have a greater possibility to reduce milk production in a woman. Nerves may retain functionality, which enables a woman to produce milk.
The amount of milk made is based on the number of connected ducts and the function of nerves that kick-start lactation. Women who undergo breast augmentation surgery must ensure their babies are carefully monitored for adequate weight gain. Initially, such mothers may need additional support for milk production or supplement with pasteurized donor human milk or a formula.
Breastfeeding with implants
No need to worry about the complications. You can breastfeed with implants. However, it depends on the size and positioning of the implants. As discussed earlier, incisions under your breast won’t hamper milk production. However, incisions around the areola might cause some problems. There’s no direct way to know, so until you give it a try. You might be able to produce some milk your baby needs, and then you can seek support from a supplement with infant milk formula.
You might face certain side effects due to your implants, including breast enlargement or swollen breasts. Mastitis can cause you to suffer pain, fever, and worsen your situation. In such a case, do consult your surgeon or health visitor as soon as possible.
Tips for a better breastfeeding session with your babies
- Monitor supply – Keep a regular eye on your supply to maintain it and respond to your baby’s needs.
- Be patient– It is advisable to stay patient with your body and trust the process. Breastfeeding takes time, with or without implants.
- Skin to skin contact– Breastfeeding mothers must engage in skin-to-skin contact at an early stage, as it proves to help cue their body to increase lactation and milk production and establishes a strong breastfeeding bond with their babies.
- Technique to feed your baby– Hold your breast behind the areola and gently guide it into your baby’s mouth. Ensure to have a deep latch to prevent sore nipples and encourage proper milk transfer.
- Hydration and diet– Keeping your body hydrated and maintaining a proper, nutritious diet are necessary for mothers to produce breast milk after breast augmentation surgery. Drink plenty of water and include protein, minerals, and other essentials by having a balanced diet.
Could your implants harm your baby?
There’s not much research done on this, but it is unlikely. Reports suggest that there have been no observed cases of clinical issues in infants of women who underwent silicone breast implants. Even if some silicone gets mixed with your milk, there is no possibility that it would harm your baby.
Does Breastfeeding affect your implants?
Don’t worry about your implants during breastfeeding. While there may be changes in the size and shape of your breasts during pregnancy and breastfeeding, there is no chance that your implants will be ruined. Vreast implants are secured by breast tissue and muscle, so that they won’t get damaged while your baby is in it. The pressure of the breast milk won’t cause any harm either.
It is also a thinkable matter that your breasts would sag after a breast augmentation surgery during breastfeeding. It is considerable that women’s breasts undergo various changes after pregnancy, but your implants won’t contribute to sagging.
Precautions during breastfeeding after an augmentation surgery
It is possible to breastfeed successfully after an augmentation surgery, but it’s better to maintain some precautions for the wellness of both mother and child and for implant safety. Let’s have a look at those:
- Healing before feeding– Make sure to breastfeed after being approved by your surgeon. If the surgery had passed just a couple of months, wait till the incisions are properly healed. Pain, swelling, or redness around the implant area must not be left unattended.
- Comfortable position– Try to go for positions like a football hold, where your baby is tucked under your arm to manage pressure on the breasts, or a side-lying position, which helps if breasts feel heavy or sore. These positions keep the implants burden-free. Avoid such positions that compress the implants.
- Protect the surgical areas– Avoid strong pressure or massage over the implants. Wear a supportive or sports bra for extra support and to reduce strain. Avoid tight bras that pressurize the implants.
- Adequate breast health– Maintain your breast health for smooth recovery as well as proper breastfeeding. Keep your nipples clean and dry. Apply nipple creams or prescribed ointments for sore nipples. Ensure a balanced diet and nutrition-rich foods, besides hydration.
Signs you’re breastfeeding right
After a breast augmentation surgery, it’s quite natural to worry about milk production. Here are some reliable signs that your baby is getting adequate milk required for growth:
- Regular stools- If your baby has dark meconium stools on initial days, greenish stools, and later yellow and steady stools, then you’re breastfeeding correctly.
- Weight gain- Babies usually regain weight after 10-14 days. Make sure the weight increases by 150-200 g per week in the early months. That’s a healthy weight gain for your baby, and you need to be tension-free.
- Wet diapers– If you see your baby wets 3-4 diapers within the first week and later 5-6 or more, with pale yellow urine and mild smelling, CONGRATULATIONS. You’re adequately feeding your baby.
Final talks on Breast Augmentation Surgery
Do not wonder much about your decision to get a breast augmentation surgery. If you’re concerned about your kid and you are rethinking your decision repeatedly, the above findings are for you. This will help you understand the concept, problems, their solutions, and the tips for a healthy breastfeeding session with your babies. Consult the best plastic surgeon in Dubai, as Dubai is well-reputed for professional experts and personalized guidance with aftercare. With the best support and care, Breast augmentation can offer you desired long-term results in affordable packages, prioritizing your and your child’s safety and concerns.
