If you’re thinking about having a breast lift (mastopexy) but also planning to breastfeed in the future, there are a few physical factors that can be helpful to understand before moving forward.
A breast lift is designed to adjust the position of the breast tissue, and while it doesn’t remove the mammary glands or ducts, it may possibly still have an influence on breastfeeding, depending on how the procedure is performed and the particular patient’s individual anatomy.
The answer to whether or not breastfeeding is possible after a breast lift will depend on factors like how much tissue is repositioned, and if the milk ducts and nerves around the nipple will remain intact.
In this blog, we’ll walk through the key physical factors to consider when it comes to breastfeeding after surgery, what you can realistically expect, and what to talk about during your consultation, if breastfeeding in the future is something you want to have as an option.
How a breast lift may affect milk supply
Ultimately, the ability to breastfeed after a breast lift comes down to whether the internal structures of the breast are preserved. More specifically, it’s about whether the ducts, glandular tissue, and nerves that support milk production and release remain connected to the nipple.
In most modern techniques, the nipple is left attached to what’s called a pedicle. The pedicle is a section of tissue that contains the blood vessels, ducts, and nerves. If the nipple remains connected to the pedicle, there’s a higher chance that milk production and sensation will be preserved. However, if the nipple has to be removed and grafted back on, the chances of full milk supply being possible may be somewhat lower.
Even when the ducts are left intact, there’s still a chance that milk supply may be reduced. However, that still doesn’t necessarily mean that breastfeeding won’t be possible at all – patients may still be able to produce milk, but may still need to supplement with formula or donor milk, depending on how much milk may be produced.
Why the different breast lift surgical techniques matter
There are multiple approaches to performing a breast lift. Each different approach uses different incision patterns, and each procedure is tailored to the patient’s needs in order to adjust the tissue suitably.
Depending on the procedure plan, some procedures will focus on adjusting the skin and reshaping the breast while keeping the nipple and areola in place. These types of procedure plans are more likely to be able to preserve the areas that are necessary for breastfeeding, especially if minimal tissue is removed and the nipple’s blood and nerve supply are successfully maintained.
To perform more extensive or complex breast lifts, such as when there’s significant tissue movement or if the nipple needs to be repositioned quite far from where it was originally, there’s a greater chance that the internal structures involved in breastfeeding may be affected.
If breastfeeding in the future is important to you, we recommend discussing it early on in your consultation, so that your surgeon can take this into account when planning your procedure. While no technique can guarantee that milk production will be unaffected, some approaches do aim to preserve as much function as possible.
How the procedure may affect nipple sensation and the let-down reflex
The nerves around the nipple, particularly the fourth intercostal nerve, play a part in not only in sensation, but also in stimulating the let-down reflex. The let-down reflex is what allows the milk to be released during breastfeeding.
After a breast lift, temporary or long-term changes in nipple sensation are possible, depending on how the tissue was affected during the surgery. Essentially, a reduced sensation can sometimes interfere with the let-down reflex. Some patients may notice that the nipple becomes more responsive again over time, while others may find that the change is longer lasting.
In general, if the nipple is kept on its pedicle, the chances of preserving nerve function are higher, but again, this depends on how far it needs to be moved and how much tissue was adjusted during the procedure.
Timing your procedure right: Navigating around pregnancy and breastfeeding
If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed in the near future, timing your surgery accordingly will be important.
It’s generally recommended that a breast lift is delayed until months after you’ve finished breastfeeding, so that the breast tissue has had time to adjust. The breasts can continue to change in volume and shape for a while after you have finished breastfeeding, and performing surgery too soon can affect the accuracy of the lift and the longevity of the result.
If you’re thinking of having children in the near future and you want to have a breast lift beforehand, this is something we recommend that you discuss during your consultation. Some patients may choose to wait until after they’ve finished having children to have a breast lift, but this isn’t a requirement. It really comes down to what your goals are and what aligns with your needs best.
Can breastfeeding after a breast lift affect the results of the procedure?
While the breastfeeding process itself will not undo the results of a breast lift, it’s possible that the hormonal changes during pregnancy and breastfeeding may cause the breast tissue to increase in volume, which can stretch the skin.
Sometimes, once the breastfeeding period is complete and the breasts reduce in volume, the breast tissue may not completely return to how it was before breastfeeding. For some patients, this may lead to changes in shape, but this varies from person to person and isn’t guaranteed.
If the breasts do change after pregnancy and breastfeeding, and you have already undergone a breast lift or another breast procedure in the past, a revision procedure can be a potential option. It will all depend on your personal preferences and how your body changes over time.
Looking for a breast lift surgeon in Brisbane? Schedule a consultation with Specialist Plastic Surgeon Dr Broadhurst
During a consultation for a breast lift, you can discuss your lifestyle and future plans to consider how they should be considered when timing and planning your procedure.
For quality advice from an experienced surgeon, you should choose a qualified Specialist Plastic Surgeon who has experience in performing breast procedures.
Dr Andrew Broadhurst is a Specialist Plastic Surgeon in Brisbane who performs breast, body, and rhinoplasty surgeries.
Dr Broadhurst will be able to make personalised recommendations based on your needs and plan your procedure to accommodate your goals.
When it’s time to book your consultation, please feel free to contact our team.
Further Reading about Breast Lift Surgery with Dr Broadhurst:
- Read BPS Breast Lift (Mastopexy) Surgery Page
- Read BPS blog about Is Breast Lift Surgery Covered by Medicare
- Read BPS blog about Breast Lift Surgery: Recovery Tips to Follow
- Read BPS blog about Am I A Candidate for Breast Lift or Breast Reduction
- Read BPS blog about Do I Need Breast Lift or Breast Augmentation
Medical References about Breast Lift Surgery
