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Breast Lift Surgery And Breastfeeding: What You Need To Know

Breastfeeding provides mothers with multiple advantages. This rite of passage can feel incredibly meaningful, giving a new mom the opportunity to intensely bond with her infant. Breastfeeding may feel like a bit of an accomplishment, especially for first-time mothers, and it is proven to give Baby a host of health and emotional benefits. On the flip side, after a woman breastfeeds, she may struggle a bit to feel truly satisfied with her body. If breastfeeding has caused dramatic deflation and sagging, a woman may resolve her concerns with breast surgery.

There are two types of breast surgery that are commonly sought to restore volume and shape to the breasts after breastfeeding. Breast augmentation with implants is one and breast lift surgery is another. It is important for women to understand that breast implants alone cannot always achieve the desired outcome. If skin and tissue are extraordinarily droopy, it may continue to droop beneath the area where breast implants sit. Sometimes, a combination of techniques is needed to achieve the best results. And in some scenarios, a breast lift alone can beautifully restore shape and height, giving the illusion of increased volume.

The Question Of Breastfeeding

There is no question that a well-performed breast lift can be highly beneficial. Results of this surgical technique include more perkiness and projection. By repositioning the breast tissue into a tighter hammock of skin, Dr. Shah brings the breasts back into a higher position on the chest wall. When breasts sit higher and are held more firmly in the skin, they project forward as they once did. This often leads to a greater sense of fullness and overall size without the need for a breast implant.

The question isn’t whether or not a breast lift can be beneficial, it is often whether or not a woman will be able to breastfeed after her lift if she so chooses. Normally, surgeons recommend that women wait to undergo certain procedures until they are done having children. Breast lift surgery may be one of them.

In most cases, a woman CAN breastfeed after undergoing a breast lift. However, there is a possibility that her milk production may be less than it would be without a breast lift. One reason this may occur is literal disruption to the milk ducts. Though rare, it is possible that some ducts may be severed during surgery. The bigger factor in breastfeeding challenges is nipple sensitivity. After surgery, it can take up to 5 years for the nipple to regain full sensation. During this time, the decreased sensation can inhibit the neurohormonal reflex that stimulates milk production.

Deciding to undergo a breast lift is a very personal decision. It is important to us that our patients are fully informed and able to make a confident choice that will serve their best interests. To learn more about breast lift surgery near Las Vegas, call (702) 684-5502.