When Is It Safe To Get Pregnant After Breast Augmentation?

While many women are interested in getting breast implants after having children, others may be contemplating getting pregnant after breast augmentation. Breast augmentation is an excellent body contouring procedure to enhance the size and shape of a woman's natural breasts, making it one of the most popular cosmetic surgeries performed today. With more women choosing breast procedures at an earlier stage in life, the topic of pregnancy after breast augmentation is not unusual. The medical professionals at SSK Plastic Surgery can answer these questions.

SSK Plastic Surgery is a premier cosmetic center located in Newport Beach, CA. Dr. Sean Kelishadi, a board-certified plastic surgeon and President of SSK Plastic Surgery, is proud to offer an array of surgical and nonsurgical procedures to help individuals improve the way their body looks. Women who have already undergone breast augmentation who are concerned about the impact of pregnancy on their results can learn more by scheduling a consultation at SSK Plastic Surgery today.

Common concerns about pregnancy after breast augmentation

Women who have had breast augmentation might be wondering if, or how, a pregnancy will affect their results. Today, more women in their 20s and 30s are choosing to enhance their natural breasts with breast implants. For women choosing to have breast augmentation at a younger age, pregnancy after this type of cosmetic surgery often raises questions, like:

• Is it safe for me to get pregnant after breast implants?
• Do breast implants sag after pregnancy?
• Will a revision surgery be necessary to correct any issues?
• Is breastfeeding still possible?

How does pregnancy affect a previous breast augmentation?

While Newport Beach, CA women can't anticipate how their body will respond to pregnancy, it is not uncommon for patients to be concerned about it altering their previous breast augmentation results. Due to fluctuating hormones and average weight gain, women often experience swollen breasts with pregnancy and breastfeeding. Even small chested women have more profound, enlarged breasts after becoming pregnant.

Despite this normal occurrence, the actual breast implant is not directly impacted. However, other changes can happen. During pregnancy, the breast tissue and skin may change, becoming looser or less taut, regardless of whether or not implants are present. To help minimize this effect, women are advised to maintain a healthy lifestyle and avoid excessive weight gain. This can help reduce the amount of stretching a woman's breast tissue will endure and potentially limit any post-pregnancy ptosis or breast sag.

How long should I wait to get pregnant after breast augmentation?

While it usually is not recommended to get pregnant within weeks after breast augmentation, surprises do happen. If this should occur, patients should reach out to their plastic surgeon and OB/GYN to discuss the pregnancy and take any necessary precautions. While pregnancy can bring on changes to a woman's body, getting breast implants now and possibly having children in the future should not be an issue or cause additional concern. In general, it is advised that women wait at least 3 – 6 months after undergoing breast augmentation before becoming pregnant. This allows the body to fully recover from surgery and be prepared for another life-changing event.

Will I need a breast revision surgery post-pregnancy?

Every woman responds to pregnancy differently. Post-pregnancy breasts, with or without implants, can be smaller, more significant, or stay the same. Some factors contribute to how a woman's body will respond, including:

• Body type
• Genetics
• Pregnancy involving multiples
• Lifestyle choices outside the realm of eating healthy and remaining active

As a woman's breasts change to accommodate engorged breast glands, the breast tissue stretches. Post-pregnancy, the skin may seem looser, while the breasts may shift slightly in shape and positioning. Even though some women with augmented breasts experience no changes after pregnancy, others may notice subtle differences, such as less fullness or slight breast sag. If that occurs, patients can consider a breast lift procedure. A breast lift can tighten loose or saggy breast tissue that surrounds the implant to improve the shape and location. It can help a woman's augmented breasts be more representative of their pre-baby appearance, so they can feel better about how they look after having children.

Pregnancy after breast augmentation is considered safe and extremely common. Many women have gone on to have children without experiencing significant changes to the appearance of their augmented breasts. If you have more questions or concerns, you can schedule a private one-on-one consultation with board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Sean Kelishadi at SSK Plastic Surgery in Newport Beach, CA. He would be happy to have an open discussion and help ease any concerns, plus explain any follow-up options to achieve your aesthetic goals.