Breast implant removal - would an explanting surgery cause more damage and decrease my ability to breastfeed?

Question

I have had 2 breast augmentations under the muscle & through the aerola. My natural breast size was a full A cup and I currently have 605cc implants. I am HIGHLY considering explanting before my next IVF cycle; my question is, would an explanting surgery cause more damage and decrease my ability to breastfeed?

Mert Demirel, MD · Answer

Explant surgery can potentially affect breastfeeding, but the amount of risk depends on what is done during the explant. Simple implant removal from a submuscular pocket usually does not directly cut through much breast gland tissue, but any surgery around the areola or capsule can add some risk to nerves, ducts, and blood supply.
Because you already had two augmentations through the areola, some of the breastfeeding risk may already be present from the prior incisions. The areolar approach can affect ducts or nipple sensation in some patients, although many people can still breastfeed after it.
If your goal is to preserve breastfeeding potential, I would be cautious about doing an aggressive capsulectomy unless there is a clear reason, such as rupture, severe contracture, abnormal capsule, infection, or other medical concern. More dissection usually means more swelling, scar tissue, and potential disruption.
Timing is also important. If you are planning IVF soon, you should discuss whether explanting now could delay treatment or pregnancy plans. You would want the breasts fully healed before pregnancy-related breast changes begin.
My advice would be to consult a breast revision surgeon and explain that breastfeeding preservation is a priority. Ask whether implant removal alone is possible, whether capsulectomy is truly needed, what incision would be used, and how long to wait before IVF. A conservative, tissue-preserving explant plan may reduce risk, but no surgeon can guarantee breastfeeding ability after multiple breast surgeries.

Sugitha Seneviratne, MBBS, FRACS (Plas), FACCS · Answer

Hello AVR 24,
Thank you for your question which is relevant to many people considering breast augmentation, revision implant surgery or explantation surgery.In short, breast implant surgery including explanation should preserve the ability to breast feed, provided you were able to breast feed prior to surgery as the anatomical connection between the nipple and underlying breast issue is not interrupted. The explantation surgery with or without capsulectomy is unlikely to cause damage as the surgery comprises working on the implant pocket which has already been created during the augmentation procedure.
I recommend consultation with a specialist plastic surgeon with experience in breast implant removal as they will be able to provide advice specific to your circumstances.
Best wishes with the explantation surgery and IVF therapy.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear AVR24,

it is hard to tell for sure without an examination. If you are considering surgery, I would suggest you consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. Only after a thorough examination, you will get more information and recommendations.

Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Manuel Diaz, MD · Answer

Hello! In many cases, implant removal can be performed without significantly affecting the ability to breastfeed, especially depending on how much breast tissue and milk ducts were preserved during your previous surgeries. However, since you have had two breast surgeries and one of them was through the areola, it is important to understand that there can already be some impact on breastfeeding potential from prior procedures.If you are considering implant removal before IVF, it would be very important to have a personalized evaluation to determine the condition of the breast tissue, skin, and implants, as well as discuss the best surgical approach for you. In some cases, patients also benefit from combining implant removal with a breast lift to improve shape and skin excess after explant surgery.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

Surgery on the breasts can disrupt tissues and potentially affect future breastfeeding.  If you are simply having the implants removed, there is less disruption than if you have a breast reduction for example.  You may want to consider removing the implants via the inframammary fold instead of the areola.  Visit with a board certified plastic surgeon near you to learn more.

Breast implant removal - would an explanting surgery cause more damage and decrease my ability to breastfeed?

Answers (5)

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