How Does Breast Lift Wth Areola Reduction Effect Breast Feeding?

Question

Will getting a Breast Lift and areola reduction hinder my ability to breast feed or will it cause loss of nipple sensation?

Otto Joseph Placik, MD · Answer

From a legal standpoint, anything is possible and you must be willing to accept inability to nurse. If not, you should defer surgery until completion of nursing. However, in reality, the likelihood of nursing interference or loss of nipple sensation will be directly related the to extent of the procedure.

Jed H. Horowitz, MD, FACS · Answer

All surgical procedures carry some degree of risk. Any breast
operation can result in changes in sensation. This happens less with lifts than
reductions but is still possible. Occasionally, minor complications occur and
do not affect the surgical outcome. Major complications associated with this
procedure are rare. Luckily the minimal risk with this procedure will not affect your future ability to breastfeed. The suitability of the breast lift procedure and specific
risks may be determined during your consultation with your PS.

Lewis Albert Andres, MD · Answer

Hello!  Thank you for your question!  Breast procedures such as the 
breast lift and breast reduction certainly result in a more shapely, 
perky, and fuller appearance of your breasts along with raising of the 
nipple-areolar complex to an appropriate position.  Since there is an 
incision made around the areola along with some rearrangement of tissue 
of the breast, there is a risk, albeit very small, of change in 
sensation to the area. The reported rate is ~7% chance in change in sensation.  However, in terms of breastfeeding, studies have
 shown that there is no increased risk of changing your ability to do so
 after breast procedures.  Not every woman can breastfeed...thus if you 
can now, your ability to do so will not change after such procedures.  
Best wishes!

Armando Soto, MD, FACS · Answer

Hi there-
While any surgical procedure on the breast carries some risk of limiting a woman's ability to breast feed a baby in the future, as well as of losing sensation in her nipples, the risk for breast lift is very low for both.

Robert Frank, MD · Answer

I would let your surgeon know that you intend to breastfeed as that may impact his or her treatment plan. Just as an example, if you are having a lift with an implant, I would likely not put it in a subglandular position (over the muscle) for fear that it might impact your breastfeeding ability. A lift alone will likely not interfere with breast feeding but, do let your doc know.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Thank you for the question.

	Theoretically, any type of breast operation has a potential for decreasing the chances that a patient will be able to successfully breast-feed. The  more extensive the operation the greater the likelihood that milk ducts  will be involved in that the patient will not be able to breast-feed.

	Unfortunately, it is hard to know what percentage of ladies are  not able to breast-feed after the breast surgery  because some patients are not able to breast-feed without having had any type of breast operation.

	Similarly, loss of sensation is a potential risk associated with breast surgery.  The frequency that loss of nipple sensation is seen will depend on exactly what procedure is performed.

	I hope this helps.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

Any patient that has surgery on the breast whether it is a reduction, lift or augment may have some breast tissue divided which can impact the amount of milk volume produced.

Darryl J. Blinski, MD · Answer

After reading the previous expert posters, I have to say that even if there is only a 15% chance of losing the sensation or being able to breast feed you should seriously consider not doing this operation. I say this because if you are asking this type of question, you must have real concern. Why not wait til you are finished having children than consider this operation. Regards.

Peter E. Johnson, MD · Answer

The ability to breast feed will depend on intact ductal tissue through the nipple proper. Breast lift will most often maintain the normal structure and sensation to the nipple. There is a risk, though a small one, that breast feeding will be affected by the breast lift, and even more so for breast reduction. Nipple sensation, as well, can be affected by breast lift though again rarely so. If breast feeding will be important to you in the future, your surgeon should be informed, as the procedure can be modified to lower the risk. If breast feeding is very important to you, consider a delay until you have completed your family.

Scott E. Kasden, MD, FACS · Answer

Breast lifts and reductions will almost always reduce the size of the areola, as well as raise it. There is a small to moderate chance that you will not be able to breast feed after either procedure (~15%). This is not due to teh size reduction but rather to nerve or breast duct injury.

How Does Breast Lift Wth Areola Reduction Effect Breast Feeding?

Answers (13)

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