How Long After Breast-feeding Can I Get Breast Implants?

Thank you for your question! You will be fine to proceed with your breast augmentation.  Best of luck!Dr Dhaval PatelDouble Board Certified Plastic SurgeonChicagoHoffman EstatesOak Brook

Thank you for your question. I would advise you to wait at least 3 -6 months after breast feeding to get breast augmentation. Be sure to schedule a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon for a detailed examination.

Thank you for your question.  The general recommendation is that patients wait at least 3-6 months from the time that they last breast fed or pumped before undergoing a breast augmentation procedure.  We recommend waiting this period of time because it will allow you to reach your final postpartum breast size and will allow us to choose the best implant size for your frame.  Regarding the breast milk that you are still expressing, it is typically recommended that you wait until this ceases as the presence of breast milk could increase your risk for an infection of capsular formation around your implant.  I would recommend scheduling a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon.  Best of luck!

Thank you for submitting your question. I tell my patients to wait a miniumim of 6 months after they complete breast feeding before they undergo breast surgery. Consult with a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon. Best Wishes

Typically I like to wait 3 months after breast-feeding has stopped prior to any breast surgery- augmentation, reduction, or breast lift.  This allows the breast to shrink after engorgement and allows the milk production to stop.  Occasionally, there can be small amounts of milk expressed after the 3 months, that is usually not an issue. If there is a significant amount of milk, I will send the patient back to their OB for a check.A large amount of breast milk in the area around an implant can cause issues with infection or capsular contracture, so it is important to communicate with your board certified plastic surgeon if you are having excessive production.  Good luck!.

I typically ask the patients to wait 3 months after breast feeding before they get implants.  The milk you are able to express may place you at a higher risk of infection and capsular contracture.

I recommend waiting until your breasts are back to baseline which takes several months following breast feeding to get a breast augmentation. I would recommend waiting a minimum of 6 months and 1 year is even better

As most other surgeons have commented, a standard time to wait for breast implants after breastfeeding is about 3 months. In your case, I think the small amount of milk produced should not pose a real problem. However, I recommend you see a board-certified plastic surgeon for a complete evaluation just to be safe.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding cause significant changes in a woman’s breasts. In response to hormonal changes, the breasts become more vascular and the glandular elements increase in size. This results in the breasts becoming larger and the skin stretching.
When breast-feeding is complete, the glandular elements shrink and as a result, the breasts become smaller and develop sagginess. It may take several months for this process to be completed and for the situation to stabilize. Until this happens, it’s impossible to know what the best option is for any patient.
The presence of milk within the breasts can lead to a higher complication rate. Residual milk can cause collections of milk within the breasts in the post-operative period, which can delay healing and ultimately cause infection.
It’s important to wait three to six months before proceeding with cosmetic breast surgery. At this time, the breasts should have reached their new baseline. At this point, a determination of breast implant size can be easily made.
In addition, it should be easy to determine if a patient needs a breast lift procedure.
When breast augmentation is delayed for a minimum of three to six months following breast-feeding, patients ultimately have lower complication rates and higher satisfaction rates. In your situation, it would be reasonable to proceed with breast augmentation at this time.

A general answer is to wait at least 3-6 months post breast feeding before entertaining the idea of a breast augmentation.  This amount of time is necessary for the breasts to settle down.