Can You Breastfeed After a Breast Lift?

Time can take its toll on your breasts, causing them to lose their fullness and symmetry. A breast lift can resolve these issues by tightening the skin and restoring a healthy plumpness to your breasts. 

As sagging can affect women at all stages of life, including those intending to start a family, it is important for you to understand how a breast lift will fit into your plans. This article will explore the common query of whether a breast lift can affect your ability to breastfeed after giving birth.

The CREO Clinic’s body contouring surgeon, Dr Omar Tillo, has a great deal of experience in breast lift surgery, having performed many successful surgeries over his illustrious career.

How a Breast Lift Impacts Breastfeeding

Generally, women who have undergone a breast lift procedure are able to breastfeed successfully. 

However, as with any breast surgery, a small percentage of women find themselves unable to produce any milk at all post-procedure. This is due to damage sustained to the nerves and milk-producing ducts around the nipple during surgery.

Loss of Function Due to Nerves and Ducts

When incisions are made around the nipple, as is the case in a breast lift, there is a possibility that the nerves and ducts involved in producing breast milk are damaged. 

The fewer of these nerves and ducts are damaged, the more likely you will be to breastfeed successfully after your breast lift. It is not possible to guarantee that these milk-producing tissues are not damaged, but the probability is low.

Loss of Nipple Sensation

It is unlikely you will experience a loss of sensation in the nipple after your breast lift, but it can happen. Any numbness experienced may be temporary and return over time, but there is a small chance that your lift surgery can sever nerves around the nipple, leading to permanent numbness. 

How Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Impacts Breast Lift Results

Pregnancy and breastfeeding can impact the results of your breast lift as they may result in a loss of elasticity in the skin and more sagging as a consequence. Breastfeeding can also create a distension and asymmetry of the nipples.

Tips for Breastfeeding After a Breast Lift

To maximise milk supply when breastfeeding after a breast lift, here are a few important tips:

• Breastfeed Immediately – As soon as the baby is born, make sure to begin breastfeeding. Starting to feed within the first hour of your baby’s life will help encourage milk production.
• Use Both Breasts – Use both breasts to feed, alternating consistently between them.
• Feed Often – Make sure to feed as often as possible, as regular feeding will help your body prepare itself for more production.

Is a Breast Lift Worth It Before Pregnancy?

For any woman planning a family, the question of whether a breast lift is worthwhile for you is a deeply personal one. 

Some women may prefer to wait to have a breast lift after pregnancy rather than before, as pregnancy may cause drooping to return, negatively affecting your breast lift results. In addition, women are recommended to wait at least six months after breastfeeding before getting a breast lift.

Take the time to carefully weigh the advantages of a breast lift alongside its risks before you make a decision. 

A breast lift can have long-lasting, transformative effects on your quality of life, and this fact alone leads many women to conclude that its benefits far outweigh any potential risks. 

Learn if You’re a Good Candidate for a Breast Lift in a   Consultation With CREO

If you want to understand how a breast lift could benefit you, book a consultation at the CREO Clinic in London. 

Our double board-certified cosmetic surgeon, Dr Omar Tillo, I will use his extensive expertise in the field to create a personalised treatment plan designed to help achieve your desired body goals.