What are the pros and cons of having breast implants before having children?

Question

Honest opinion on breast implants currently 25 years old and really wanting to do this surgery the only thing I keep debating if it’s worth it doing it now or waiting to have all my kids i currently don’t have kids but want at least 3 in the future. Goals in having kids 1-2 years. Pros and cons please

Ted Eisenberg, DO, FACOS, FAACS · Answer

Worth waiting 1-2 years before getting breast augmentation. Results of breast surgery can change with significant weight change and/or the milk of pregnancy. The milk will stretch your tissues and you may or may not loose some skin elasticity. When the milk disappears you might be slightly bigger, smaller, no change, and/or slightly droopier. And, what happens can change from pregnancy to pregnancy. You are fairly specific on having children sooner than later. Might be worth the wait. Dr. Ted Eisenberg, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and Author. RealSelf Distinguished Hall of Fame Inductee. Philadelphia, Pa., USA

Donovan Rosas, MD · Answer

There are a number of factors which determine whether an individual is a candidate for breast augmentation. There are no absolute restrictions other than being in good enough health to safely undergo surgery.
However, there are a few other considerations a young patient should bear in mind:
-The FDA recommendations for the use of silicone implants are for patients 22 years and older (a consequence of the initial study population. This is only a recommendation. Saline implants recommendations, on the other hand, are age 18 years or older.
-Patients should be stable in their breast development/volume. Breasts can continue to develop/change into the early 20's for some women. I generally recommend at least 6 months stable without any change before considering surgery. 
-A stable weight, as with most surgery, will help a patient achieve their best outcome. Significant changes in weight can lead to requisite changes in the breasts leading to "buyer's remorse" ("too big" or "too small").
-Patients should consider whether they have any plans for children in the immediate future as the requisite changes of pregnancy can compromise the overall aesthetic outcome.
Based solely upon the information you provided, I would say you are at the very least a candidate for surgery. There is no replacement for an in-person consultation. Your board certified plastic surgeon (ABPS) can help guide you towards the appropriate implant for your frame.

Leila Kasrai, MD, FRCSC · Answer

The biggest con when considering breast augmentation before having kids is the risk of how pregnancy affects the shape and size of the breasts. While it is not guaranteed, it is very common for women to experience sagging and changes in breast size with pregnancy. These changes can negatively impact your breast augmentation results, and you may want another procedure done to correct any issues that occur.

In addition, breast augmentation can also negatively affect the ability to breastfeed. While this risk is low, it should still be considered.

The biggest pro, on the other hand, is that you’ll be able to get larger breasts sooner than later. You won’t have to wait until after having kids (although some women find that their breasts are larger after pregnancy, so they choose not to undergo breast augmentation afterward.)

Geo N. Tabbal, MD · Answer

With three kids starting in a year or two, you may have to plan on this being two operations rather than one. Pregnancy changes breast tissue on its own, and implants don't prevent that.
Pros of going now: you get a few solid years enjoying them, and augmentation isn't a barrier to pregnancy or breastfeeding for most women.
Cons: you'll probably want a lift or exchange once your family's complete, so you're budgeting twice.
If you're at peace with a touch-up later, go for it. If you want one surgery and one recovery, waiting is the more durable call.

Bahram Ghaderi, MD · Answer

Many women have breast augmentation before having kids. The pros are that having implants does not impact getting pregnant, so if you want larger breasts now and kids later, you do not have to wait to have the surgery. The implants can provide fullness that is sometimes lost during pregnancy and breast feeding. Many can breast feed post augmentation surgery. The cons would be since the breasts go through a lot of changes during pregnancy; the breast shape and volume may change after. That change may need additional surgeries after pregnancy such as a breast lift. Meeting with your board-certified plastic surgeon would help you compare the pros vs cons personalized to your goals.

Emre Guvercin, MD, FEBOPRAS · Answer

It is completely understandable to want to achieve your aesthetic goals now rather than waiting years, and by choosing a modern tissue-preservation approach, you can safely do so without compromising your future plans for motherhood. Traditional breast augmentation methods often involve significant muscle detachment or glandular disruption, which carries the distinct disadvantages of potentially impairing milk production, altering nipple sensation, and providing less structural support against the natural stretching and sagging that occurs during pregnancy. Conversely, a preservation-focused surgery meticulously respects and protects your natural breast anatomy, milk ducts, and delicate neurovascular networks, ensuring your functional integrity remains intact. While the primary "con" of having surgery before three pregnancies is that the inevitable weight fluctuations and skin stretching may require a future lift (mastopexy) or implant revision down the road, an anatomy-sparing technique ensures your foundational tissue remains robust and unharmed, allowing you to confidently enjoy your desired look today while safeguarding your body for tomorrow.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear 2Ko1,

there are no pros and cons for this. You need to be sure do you want implants and when you want them. 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

Brian K. Reedy, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question! I will tell you what I tell all of my patients. You should enjoy your life and breasts now; however, if kids are in the immediate future, it might make more sense to wait until afterwards. If you were 5-10 years out from kids, I'd be telling you to have your breast surgery and then we can tweak things when its time to replace in 10-15 years anyway. Ultimately, the decision is 100% yours. Good luck!

Semih Yildiz, MD, FEBOPRAS · Answer

If you expect pregnancy within 1–2 years, waiting is often the more predictable choice because pregnancy and breastfeeding can change breast volume, skin envelope, nipple position, and symmetry regardless of the implant. Implants themselves do not usually prevent pregnancy, and many patients can breastfeed, but the likelihood depends on incision location, glandular tissue, and future changes. In my experience, the main downside of doing surgery now is that you may need a lift, implant adjustment, or revision after childbearing; the benefit is enjoying the result sooner. I would compare those trade-offs with your surgeon and choose timing based on priorities rather than age alone.

Bulent Cigsar, MD · Answer

At 25, there is no medical reason you cannot have breast augmentation before having children. Implants generally do not interfere with pregnancy, and many women are able to breastfeed afterward.
However, since you are planning to start having children within 1–2 years and would like at least three children, I would personally lean toward waiting.
The main concern is not the implants&mdash;it is what pregnancy may do to your breasts. Pregnancy can stretch the skin, change breast volume and cause sagging, potentially changing the result and leading to a lift or revision later.
If you really want the surgery now and understand that pregnancy may alter the result, it is still a perfectly reasonable choice. But if your priority is achieving the most predictable, long-lasting result with the fewest surgeries, I would wait until you are finished having children.
Ultimately, it comes down to whether you would rather enjoy the result now or optimize the timing for the long term.

What are the pros and cons of having breast implants before having children?

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