Will Delaying Breast Augmentation for 5 Months Affect Results?

asked 2 years ago by uoorkindness
Latest answer by Julio Garcia, MD
Question viewed 666 times
Tags: breasts, female, breast feeding, droopy, sagging, subglandular

I have re-scheduled my Breast Augmentation to July (5 months from now) because I am still lactating just a little and I am trying to avoid complications. I stop breast feeding 6 months ago but want to stop lactating completely before I go under the knife.

My question is, I am going subglandular because of droopiness, will my breast droop or sag even more if I wait 5 months from now to get augmentation done? I am trying to avoid lift too. Thanks.

12 answers to Will Delaying Breast Augmentation for 5 Months Affect Results?

Avoiding breast lift with breast augmentation

If you are still lactating, everybody agrees you should wait until all lactation has ceased. However the more important question is the choice of procedure. if you are borderline for needing a lift while lactating, you will almost certainly need a lift after losing pregnancy weight and lactating breast tissue. When a lift is needed and an implant is placed instead, this tends to yields large, saggy breasts. If an implant is placed in the subglandular position, the circulation between the... more

Brent Moelleken, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

You can't avoid a breast lift if you need one

It is a common misconception that you can lift the breast with subglandular implants. If this is possible, it is only very slightly. Using a larger implant in this misadventure also leads to a ball in sock breast eventually and often a bigger result than you wanted. Also, mammograms are not as good above the muscle. My advice is to go below the muscle with the right size for you and accept the lift if you need one. Maybe only a periareolar will be needed!

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Breast implants after lactating

My preference is to have no breast milk coming out through the nipple to keep the risk of infection low. I do not think you are going to sag a great deal more in the ensuing 5 months, but if you are going to go sub-glandular to improve the little sagging you already have, I am afraid that in time, you will sag even more due to the increased weight pulling on the skin. It will look good for a while as the skin envelope gets filled, but then gravity will take over.

Julio Garcia, MD
Las Vegas Plastic Surgeon

Hold off on breast aug until you are done lactating.

Hi, Thank you for your question. If you are still lactating, it is actually better to wait. This will give your breast more time to get back to their normal state, in which your doctor can tell you what results to expect more realistically. It also allows your physician to figure out which procedure would be best for you. While you may want to avoid a lift, it is usually the best option for fixing saggy breasts. You may only need a little periareolar lift which has minimal scarring.... more

Sam Speron, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Delaying breast augmentation

I would agree that it is best to wait until milk is dry to do breast augmentation. Regarding the drooping. This is due to relaxed support structures of the breast, with an overall reduction of strength. Placing the implant subglandular to finght sagging is just the opposite of what you should do, if you ask my opinon. Submuscular placement adds extra support that is lacking in the skin and breast.

Scott E. Kasden, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon

Wait till there is no more milk to have breast implants.

Hi. You are so right to wait before having breast augmentation. A few months will not make any difference. And get more than one opinion, because if you have a lot of sagging, avoiding a lift is a big mistake.

George J. Beraka, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Delaying your surgery will not likely affect the outcome

Hi there- I don't think that the timing you describe should mean any change in the outcome you achieve. On the other hand, I'm not sure I agree with your decision making... As one of my colleagues has stated, placing implants over the muscle in order to avoid a breast lift may not actually be in your best interests, and the degree of "lifting" you achieve is likely to be minimal. Consider this carefully between now and the date of your surgery.

Armando Soto, MD
Orlando Plastic Surgeon

Delay breast augmentation until lactation stops

Generally, it will take six months to stop lactating after breast feeding is over, though lactation can go on much longer. Stimulation to the breast and nipple can keep prolactin levels high. Exercise and jogging may contribute. To dry things up, use a snug sports bra and delay your augmentation date. The subglandular augmentation will be fine, though if the breast is lactating, the milk secretions can collect around the implant and produce fullness and discomfort. Waiting until lactation... more

Peter E. Johnson, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

www.peterejohnsonmd.com

Delay will not change things very much for Breast Augmentation

If you have stopped breast feeding 6 months ago then I would expect that you are pretty dry except when you squeeze the nipple. If you keep squeezing the nipple to check for milk you keep stimulating the breast to lactate. If you need a breast lift at this time then you will need a breast lift in 5 months. If you have some glandular activity due to the milk production then you will have more laxity once it has completely settled down. Going in the subglandular position could be a... more

Marcus L. Peterson, MD
Saint George Plastic Surgeon

Breast ptosis and sagging

I do not believe that this will have any long term effect. In fact, delaying surgery, will allow a more accurate assesment because once the lactation has completed and your breast involutional atrophy is stable, the true degree of ptosis (sag) will be evident and the best procedure for you will be performed.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Breast augmentation and breastfeeding

It's smart to wait until you have absolutely no breast milk prior to breast augmentation. There should not be a significant change in your breasts in the next five months unless you experience a major weight loss during this time. However, I would suggest speaking to your surgeon about this since he or she could give you a more accurate answer based upon your physical examination. Good luck.