Breast Feeding After Cosmetic Surgery

Both Kourtney Kardashian, 30 years old, and Kendra Wilkinson-Baskett, 24 years old, underwent breast augmentation before their pregnancy. In a US Weekly interview, both explained that they have the desire to breast feed following pregnancy. Their desire mimics the desire that many other women who are interested in breast augmentation have before they become pregnant. In the past, breast augmentation was recommended to take place following all desired pregnancies because of the risk of the inability to breast feed following breast augmentation surgery. In more recent years, women interested in breast augmentation surgery before pregnancy have undergone the procedure with reassurance that the risk is reduced when compared to previous years.

There are factors that may inhibit the ability to breast feed following the placement of breast implants. Plastic surgeons fully explain these factors during an initial consultation for the breast augmentation procedure. One factor is the technique used in the breast augmentation procedure. Surgical techniques that are not likely to damage the milk ducts may provide the opportunity for women to have breast augmentation prior to pregnancy. Plastic surgeons may utilize advanced techniques and equipment in surgery when compared to previous years. For example, there are smaller tools and visual guides that may be used to dissect the breast pocket during breast augmentation. This allows the plastic surgeon to use greater precision for the dissection of the breast pocket during surgery. There is no guarantee that women will be able to breast feed following breast enhancement, but the risk are reduced when having the procedure with an experienced plastic surgeon.

We may not know if Kourtney Kardashian and Kendra Wilkinson-Baskett are able to breast feed following their pregnancy. Though, we do know that younger women have undergone the breast augmentation procedure without fear about the risk of not being able to breast feed. Many women have been successful with breast feeding in recent years. The FDA has approved the use of saline breast implants in women over the age of 18 and silicone breast implants in women over the age of 21.

Young women have often been interested in breast augmentation to improve the appearance of breast asymmetry and increase breast size. Some young women become interested in breast augmentation following injury, disease or trauma to the breasts. The FDA and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons both have established guidelines for young women interested in breast augmentation.

The FDA and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons identified that teenagers may not have fully developed breasts when they become interested in breast augmentation. Teenagers must be physically and emotionally capable of managing the results of the plastic surgery procedure. Teenagers must have realistic expectations about the outcome of the procedure as well.