Breast implants used for breast augmentation these days are most commonly cohesive gel silicone implants. The polymer used is of medical-grade as opposed to industrial-grade silicone, and therefore much more biologically inert and safe. The question I often get asked by my patients with regards to breastfeeding are:
- Will the silicone leak into the breast milk and make it unsafe for my baby?
- Will engorgement be worse?
- Will I be able to breastfeed with the implant in place or will the milk supply be affected?
The answer to the first question is a DEFINITE NO. A large scale study of more than a thousand patients in the US showed that amongst 3 groups of milk, sampled from breastfeeding mothers with silicone implants, with no implants and from cow's milk, that there was no significant difference in silicone levels in the breastmilk from mothers with implants and without implants. In fact, the silicone levels were highest in the cow's milk.
The answer to the second question is less clear. Anecdotally amongst my patients, it appears that engorgement is a little worse in my patients with larger implants - more than 400cc per implant. Otherwise, it does not seem to have a significant impact in my practice.
I have had a number of patients get pregnant after breast augmentation and they have all successfully breastfed their children with the implants in place.
I hope that answers the common questions you may have on breast implants and breastfeeding.
