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Should I Get Breast Implants if I Plan on Getting Pregnant Later?

asked 3 years ago by jayandkat in massachusetts
Latest answer by Brooke R. Seckel, MD
Question viewed 7,508 times
Tags: breast feeding, baby, pregnancy, safety

is it recomended to have breast implants before having a child? how will the breast look after breast feeding? i just want my breast perky but very natural. i feel i have a lot of extra skin on my breasts. i want to see what the doctor recomends for size.

38 answers to Should I Get Breast Implants if I Plan on Getting Pregnant Later?

+4

Breast Implants-Best to Wait Until After Pregnamcies

Most Plastic Surgeons would recommend that you wait until you are done having children before having Breast Implant Surgery. Pregnancy enlarges the Breast Gland and after Breast Feeding is finished the gland shrinks to a smaller size but the skin envelope stays larger. The result is sagging of the Breast or Breast Ptosis. If you have Breast Implants before pregnancy, after pregnancy the Breast may fall down off of the implant and will look unnatural. In this situation you will... more
Brooke R. Seckel, MD

Boston Plastic Surgeon

www.drseckel.com

+2

The timing of breast implants and future pregnancy

Dear jayandkat, This is a common question that my patients ask: "How will my breasts look after I become pregnant if I have implants?"  The breasts can change dramatically due to pregnancy, and breast feeding. Some women have breasts that look quite different after going through childbearing, yet some women's breasts may not change at all, although this is not common. If you have had children previously, the way your breasts... more
Lawrence Tong, MD

Toronto Plastic Surgeon
+2

Breast augmentation is about quality of life, and can be done prior to having children

The decision to have breast augmentation is a very personal one. It is about YOU, and quality of life! There is no perfect age or stage of life to have breast implants inserted. Some women choose to have breast augmentation prior to having children, while others wait until they have finished breastfeeding to have implants inserted. Pregnancy is one major change of life that will change the appearance, fullness and/or texture of the breasts, regardless of whether you... more
Karen M. Horton, MD

San Francisco Plastic Surgeon

www.drkarenhorton.com

+2

Breast Implants Before Pregnancy

Timing is everything! If you are actively planning pregnancy in the next year, you may do well to postpone breast enhancement surgery until you are finished having children and nursing.  The changes to your breasts with pregnancy may make breast augmentation or a breast lift desirable to enhance the lost volume and lost shape that can occur. If you do not anticipate pregnancy in the near future, be reassured that breast augmentation will not interfere with pregnancy and... more
Paul C. Zwiebel, MD

Denver Plastic Surgeon

www.pzwiebel.com

+2

Breast augmentation prior to pregnancy

Unfortunately, plastic surgery does not guarantee permanent results. Factors such as weight loss/weight gain, pregnancy, breast-feeding, or aging may affect the breasts. It is very difficult to determine what your breasts will look like following a pregnancy or breast-feeding. If you are planning to have children sometime soon, i would definitely recommend waiting until afterwards. However, if you do not plan on having children for awhile, you can enjoy your breast augmentation for a good... more
Tom J. Pousti, MD

San Diego Plastic Surgeon
+2

Pregnancy and breast augmentation

Unless you plan on getting pregnant in the next month or so, there is absolutely no reason to wait until after all of your pregnancies to get a breast augmentation.  Pregnancy may ultimately affect your breast volume and skin laxity.   
Raffy Karamanoukian, MD

Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
+2

Breast augmentation before pregnancy

Yes, most of my patients undergo breast augmentation and enjoy their new appearance prior to becoming pregnant and/or breast feeding.  Because of the normal fluctuations in weight and changes in shape of the breast after pregnancy, many women choose to undergo a revision or lifting procedure after they are finished having children.  However, many of these women may have elected for breast augmentation or a lifting procedure after having... more
Jaime Perez MD

Tampa Plastic Surgeon

www.jaimeperezmd.com

+2

Breast augmentation before pregnancy

Breast augmentation may be performed safely before pregnancy, although you need to have a comprehensive discussion with your plastic surgeon about possible complications such as inability to breastfeed. In addition, your breasts will respond to hormonal changes associated with pregnancy and their shape and size may significantly different after pregnancy (+/- breastfeeding).
Olivia Hutchinson, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon
+2

Implants and pregnancy

Thanks for the question. Typically, if a patient is considering pregnancy within a year or so I would recommend waiting on the implants. Be aware that you will have to wait until you've stopped breast feeding before you can safely have implants placed after your pregnancy. In addition, your comment about "extra skin" may also indicate that you may need a lift. Doctors carefully examine the dimension and shape of your breasts and have a complete discussion about the risks and... more
Steven H. Williams, MD

San Francisco Plastic Surgeon
+2

The issue with any cosmetic change is the predictability...

The issue with any cosmetic change is the predictability, stability, and the positive benefits of the end results versus the negative effects of not having the changes. That is, if the end result is unpredictable and unstable, because of the multitude of changes that usually occur and are unpredictable with pregnancy, then the procedure may not be worth it. You have to balance that with the positive effects the augmentation might produce, as well as the cost of not doing it for the time... more
Robin T.W. Yuan, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon
+1

Pregnancy & breast feeding can affect breast shape!

Pregnancy and breast feeding can adversely affect breast shape and may require a secondary procedure.  If pregnancy is planned in a year or two, my recommendation is to wait.  In regards to extra skin, implants alone may not correct this.  A breast lift may be required.
Robert Sleightholm, MD

Brampton Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast augmentation and future pregnancy

You ask a very common question.  If you opt for breast augmentation  now, you will definitely enjoy your results.  It is difficult to predict how your breasts will change with breast feeding.  However, you mentioned you already have extra skin.  This could get worse and you could get exacerbation of sagging (ptosis).   If a patient told me that they were planning a pregnancy very soon, I would tell them to wait until after pregnancy.  However,... more
C. Bob Basu, MD

Houston Plastic Surgeon

www.basuplasticsurgery.com

+1

Breast implants and pregnancy

The timing of getting breast implants and pregnancy is very important.  If you are planning on having children in the very near future, it would probably be best to wait on getting implants.  Your breasts will likely undergo significant changes during and immediately after your pregnancy.  Most often, women's breasts will increase in size with the hormonal changes that occur during the pregnancy.  How your breasts recover after the hormones return to normal... more
Naveen Setty, MD

Plano Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast Implant Surgery

I often see patients desiring a breast augmentation and wondering if they should have it now and wait until they have children.  Most often I advise them to wait if they plan to get pregnant within the next year as the breast area does change with pregnancy.  Most often young adult patients visiting my office have wanted to change their breast since purberty.   They are finally able to afford breast implants are ready to get them sooner then later.  Breast Implants... more
John Ward, MD

Phoenix Plastic Surgeon
+1

Considerations for pregnancy and Breast Augmentation

This is one of the most frequently asked questions in my practice. Breast augmentation prior to pregnancy is perfectly safe & while there is a very small chance of trouble with breastfeeding in some women, ultimately it should not affect the ability to breast feed. This is especially true if you opt to have the implants placed beneath the muscle. That said, if you’re actively trying to get pregnant right now, I’d recommend waiting until after the pregnancy to have... more
Scott W. Mosser, MD

San Francisco Plastic Surgeon

www.drmosser.com

+1

Breast implants and pregnancy

Many women get breast implants before having children. It is safe to do but there are risks to consider and discuss with your surgeon. Once you do become pregnant the changes that happen to your breasts will be more dependent on your genetics than your breast implants. Some women have minimal changes with pregnancy. Others will see their breast size increase significantly while still others may see their breast volume actually decrease. Changes in size will contribute to sagging and excess... more
Bahram Ghaderi, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast implants before pregnancy

You can certainly have breast augmentation prior to having children, especially if the implants are placed in a subpectoral (under the muscle) location.  Keep in mind, that the pregnancy may change the size and shape of your breasts and when you have completed having all your children it's possible that you may need a breast lift.  Another consideration is breast feeding.  Although most patients can breast feed with breast implants in place, there is a small chance you may... more
William Bruno, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon
+1

Hold off on breast implants if you plan on getting pregnant soon

If you plan on getting pregnant soon, you should hold off on breast implants as they may effect your ability to breast feed. There is no way of determining if you will be able to breast feed after the surgery or not. There are necessary precautions you can take, especially regarding the type of incision. Make sure to inform your surgeon of the fact that you are thinking of getting pregnant soon. 
Usha Rajagopal, MD

San Francisco Plastic Surgeon

www.sfcosmeticsurgery.com

+1

Breast implants before pregnancy--makes perfect sense to me!

Implants won't change with pregnancy, just your breasts will change--the same as they would if you didn't have implants.  Having implants first lets you enjoy them longer, and it won't change what you might need done later to fix your breasts after pregnancy.  You may still need a lift later, but that would be true with or without an implant in place.
Carmen Kavali, MD

Atlanta Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast augmentation is safe before pregnancy.

Breast augmentation is safe before pregnancy but does have some minor risks regarding decreased nipple sensation which may interfere with breast feeding.  The majority of patients do not have any problem. It is best to have a consultation to best determine what you need specifically.  You describe having a lot of skin on your breast. This may indicate that you may need a lift in addition to an augmentation. As far as the size, I think that the patient should ultimately... more
Richard H. Fryer, MD

Salt Lake City Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast Implants and Pregnancy

There has been an extensive amount of research on breast implants, breast feeding, and pregnancy. The biggest concerns for patients who are considering breast augmentation prior to pregnancy are the ability to breast feed and the changes that occur due to pregnancy. If you are planning to have children soon (within the next year or so) then it would be better to wait. However if you are not planning on children soon, then there is no reason to delay. You breast will change with... more
Scott J. Engel, MD

Sarasota Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast Implants and Pregnancy

The decision to have a breast augmentation before having children is a very common question. For many women, the concerns focus around breast feeding and whether or not there is an impact on the ability to breast feed after breast augmentation. In addition, changes to the size and shape of the breasts can influence the cosmetic appearance of implants. Placement of breast implants and their impact on breast feeding relates to whether or not the lobules and ducts of the breast are... more
David Bogue, MD

Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon

www.drbogue.com

+1

Breast Implants: Before or After Pregnancy

There is no way to determine how your breasts will react to pregnancy. Some breasts become very large and stay that way, while others lose significant volume after pregnancy. Having breast implants will not negatively impact your pregnancy- you will still be able to breast feed and your breasts will increase or decrease in size because of your natural breast tissue. Typically we recommend to wait to have breast augmentation if you are looking to have children in the near future in the... more
Tarick K. Smaili, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast Implants: Before or After Pregnancy

There is no way to determine how your breasts will react to pregnancy. Some breasts become very large and stay that way, while others lose significant volume after pregnancy. Having breast implants will not negatively impact your pregnancy- you will still be able to breast feed and your breasts will increase or decrease in size because of your natural breast tissue. Typically we recommend to wait to have breast augmentation if you are looking to have children in the near future in the... more
Tarick K. Smaili, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast implants before having children

I have a lot of patients who get breast augmentation before having children.  While your breasts may change at the time that you are pregnant and subsequently when you breastfeed, you are unlikely to loose anything by having your surgery before these events.  I tell my patients that they may have more drooping of their breasts after having children, and may need to have their breasts lifted at that time, but that the prior presence of breast implants do not usually have any bearing... more
Adam David Lowenstein, MD

Santa Barbara Plastic Surgeon
+1

Should one get preast implant before pregnancy?

I don't think it matters. If your breasts are small they get bigger with augmentation and after pregnancy they get even bigger but return to prepregnancy size after you finish breast feeding. If your breast are already big then they may get too big during pregnancy and that might be a problem for you. In that case you should wait till after the pregnancy to get the augmentation.
Farhad Rafizadeh, MD

Morristown Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast augmentation and pregnancy

Breast augmentation is the most popular cosmetic surgery in the United States because it allows women to change the shape and size of their breast and produce a consistent beautiful result. Depending on how the breast augmentation is performed and where the implant lives in your body, there may be minimal disruption with breast-feeding. However, breast-feeding can significantly change a woman's body and breast. Some women may experience sagging or drooping of their tissue after breast... more
B. Pat Pazmino, MD

Miami Plastic Surgeon
+1

Enjoy you Body!

This is a very good question, and one most women considering breast augmentation ask themselves. There is no way to predict what you breasts are destined to do with the influences of pregnancy-- what with weight changes, hormone changes, and breast feeding... Too many variables!  If you are considering becoming pregnant within the next six months, then I would point out that the swelling the breasts may experience from the pregnancy would be added on to the swelling you would have... more
Andrea Paolo Basile, MD

Naples Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast implants and pregnancy

My general rule of thumb is that if you plan on three or more years before pregnancy, you should be good to go. If you are one year from getting pregnant you might want to wait. With or without implants, pregnancy is going to have an impact on your breasts. That impact varies from woman to woman. As for your other questions, I would recommend you consult with a plastic surgeon to see what he or she has to say about the laxity of your skin and a size tht would suit your anatomy and goals. more
Deason Dunagan, MD

Huntsville Plastic Surgeon
+1

A future pregnancy is not a contraindication to breast augmentation.

Many women have breast implants and later start families.  They may breast feed if they wish.  If a planned pregnancy is iminent, I would certainly wait to have the augmentation until after the baby is born.
Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD

Atlanta Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast imlants and pregnancy

If you plan to become pregnant after breast augmentation, this should be considered in your decision to have the surgery.  Pregnancy affects the breasts differently in every patient.  However, it is going to affect the breasts whether or not you have implants.  It does have the risk of possibly affecting breast feeding, as well.  However, I feel that the satisfaction that comes for patients having breast augmentation usually outweighs any slight future risks. more
Dustin L. Reid, MD

Austin Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast augmentation before pregnancy

Pregnancy and breast feeding causes significant changes o the breast tissue and skin. These changes are going to happen whether you have implants or do not have implants. There is a certain joy and improved self image with breast augmentation, if that is what you want then do not wait and get the implants knowing that the pregnancy may result in changes that require another surgery to get the perky, youthful breast you desire
Samir Shureih, MD

Baltimore Plastic Surgeon
+1

Hold off Breast Augmentation if you're planning to get pregnant soon

If you plan on getting pregnant in the very near future, it may be best to wait because changes in your breasts that come with pregnancy may require additional surgery, ie. breast lift, in the future. Having said that, if your plans for having children is in the more distant future, it is probably not worth delaying the rewards of breast augmentation surgery. Good Luck!
Jeffrey Horowitz, MD

Baltimore Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast augmentation OK before pregnancy.

Hi. 1) If you have a lot of extra skin, that sounds like sagging. You may neeed a breast lift together with breast implants. 2) Breast changes with pregnancy are unpredictable. So most women go ahead and get implants, and enjoy their new breasts. It is possible that you will need a touch up after you are all done with babies.
George J. Beraka, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast Augmentation and Pregnancy

If you are planning breast augmentation in the near future, perhaps within a year, then I would recommend holding of on your breast augmentation. Certain patients after breast augmentation and pregnancy tend to require future suture to fix the ill effects of the pregnancy, i.e. sagging of the breast tissue. In general, how your breasts react to the pregnancy is determined by our genetics and how your mom's breasts reacted. Having said that, patients that dont have much if any breast tissue... more
Farbod Esmailian, MD

Orange County Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast augmentation before pregnancy - Depnds on timing

If you are trying to have children any time soon, you might wait until afterward to have breast surgery. If it will be a couple of years or more away, and if you feel that it would make you happier with your body and improve your self esteem, then go ahead now. From your description, if you have extra skin, and if your nipples are lower than ideal, you might need some lifting as well as the augmentation.
Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS

Seattle Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast augmentation and pregnancy

It is a choice that many women make. Many of my patients are young women who have not had children yet. It is hard to predict the implacts on breast feeding because depending on the approach some breast tissue may be disrupted and limit breat feeding. Most patient I know often had to supplement anyway. I tell my pateints that I know very large breast women who couldn't breast feed exclusively, and yet I know very small breasted women who can breast feed easily. In terms of shape and... more
Steven Wallach, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

When are you planning to have children? Near or Distant future?

Having a child will have an impact on your breasts, whether or not you have implants. It is impossible to predict exactly what will happen to your breasts with your child. Some women are very lucky, and look exactly as before, with youthful skin and no stretch-marks. Others are unlucky, ending up with sagging breasts, loose skin, and a deflated appearance. If you have implants before having a child, the extra volume of the implant will tend to make the pregnancy associated negative... more
Michael A. Bogdan, MD

Dallas Plastic Surgeon

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