Yes it can, because when performing breast augmentation procedures , plastic surgeons do not cut the communication of the milk ducts at any time, those responsible for transporting the milk to the nipple. As the implant is usually placed between the mammary gland and the pectoral muscle, or below the latter, the structure is not affected.
The nipple does not suffer alterations either, since the introduction of the prosthesis is usually carried out through an incision made in the areola that surrounds it or under the breast groove. There is only one risk: if during the operation there is involuntary damage to any nerves, it could decrease the sensitivity in the nipple area and make it difficult to drain the milk after birth.
In the hands of the surgeon
And what about the material with which the prosthesis is made? Could accidental silicone contamination affect neonate growth and development?
John Semple, a plastic surgeon at the University of Ontario in Canada, tried to answer this question a few years ago. After analyzing the milk of women with and without implants, he showed that neither in this nutritive liquid nor in the mothers’ blood there were notable differences in terms of silicone levels.
It was a reassuring finding for many women who, after having surgery on their breasts for cosmetic reasons, did not want to give up breastfeeding their children. It should be remembered that, according to the WHO, “breastfeeding is the ideal way to provide young children with the nutrients they need for healthy growth and development. WHO recommends exclusive breastfeeding for six months, introducing appropriate foods for age and insurance thereafter, and maintaining breastfeeding for up to two years or more. “
