New York — Apprehension about how breast-feeding will affect the appearance of their breasts may be the reason some women with aesthetic implants fail at nursing their babies.
A research team led by San Juan, Puerto Rico, plastic surgeon Norma Cruz, M.D., followed 160 mothers with implants to gauge their success in breast-feeding. Investigators found that 86 percent of those who failed at breast-feeding thought that it would make their breasts look worse. Among those who were successful, however, only 13 percent believed breast-feeding would negatively affect the appearance of their breasts.
A news release issued by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons quotes Dr. Cruz as saying, “It makes sense that breast-augmentation patients would be concerned about the effect breast-feeding could have on the appearance of their breasts. After all, these women have invested both time and money into them. However, available evidence tells us that although breasts sag more with each pregnancy, breast-feeding doesn’t seem to worsen these effects in women with or without breast implants.”
Dr. Cruz says study results indicate a need for patient education to improve perceptions about the impact of breast-feeding. The study was presented at the recent annual meeting of the ASPS.
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