Breast prostheses and breastfeeding – A few explanatory words

For every woman, the breast represents a particularly important part of her body that concerns various aspects and holds multiple meanings. The breast is an expression of femininity, sensuality, sexuality, and eroticism. Since time immemorial, the breast has been one of the areas of the body where aesthetic surgery is most frequently requested. One of the questions we are asked most often in this regard is whether it is still possible to breastfeed after the procedure.


Let us therefore try to clarify this subject. If it is a breast augmentation procedure, an intervention where the shape of the breast is changed through addition, then breastfeeding remains possible. In this type of intervention, a prosthesis is inserted into a "skin pocket" created by the surgeon for this purpose, either under the pectoral muscle or between the mammary gland and the muscle. The decision regarding this is made after the initial routine examinations, according to the patient's circumstances and wishes. The mammary gland and the nipple are not affected by the procedure and function just as they did before.


The anatomy of the breast is not changed in the slightest by this type of procedure, which is why it is easily possible to continue breastfeeding. We advise massaging the nipples gently after the operation, even though this may be quite painful at first. However, this is of crucial importance to stimulate the sensitivity of the nipple and prepare it for later breastfeeding.


In the case of a breast reduction procedure, which serves the purpose of decreasing excessive breast volume, subsequent breastfeeding is not always possible. Some types of surgery require the repositioning of the nipple and areola. In these cases, the result is a partial loss of nipple sensitivity, which is often no longer suitable for breastfeeding at all. However, if the nipple was not repositioned and the milk ducts were not severed, then it is possible to breastfeed. Nevertheless, for women who have undergone this type of surgery, breastfeeding is generally only possible for a duration of no longer than 5 days, whereas women with breasts in their natural state can breastfeed for an average of three months.


Should you have any further doubts or questions, Dr. Agostini is gladly at your disposal for information. Together with you, we are always happy to find the best solution for your individual problem.