Breast Surgery Following Pregnancy: Types and Tips for Utah Mothers

breast surgery pregnancy types

There are a few different life events that may lead some women toward desiring breast surgery of some kind, and a good example here is pregnancy. Whether due to the body’s natural changes during pregnancy, changes due to breastfeeding or other related needs, breast surgery is often an ideal procedure for new mothers — but when should it be done, and which type is likely best for you? 

At the offices of Steven Warnock MD, we’re proud to offer several options for breast surgery for a variety of women, including those who have recently given birth and are considering this procedure for one of a few different reasons. What are some reasons women may think about this approach, and what are the options available? This two-part blog series will go over answers to these questions, plus some tips on how long you should wait after pregnancy before carrying out such a procedure depending on a few factors.

Types of Breast Surgery — And Which is Right

One of the first considerations if you’re thinking about breast surgery following pregnancy is which type you might look into. There are a few common types of breast surgery out there to choose from:

  • Breast augmentation: For those who have a lower-than-average cup size, larger breasts can often be taken care of via breast augmentation. In this form of surgery, the doctor implants pockets filled with either saline or silicone under your skin to give you a bigger bust.
  • Breast lift: As many women know from experience, pregnancy and breastfeeding can sometimes take a toll on your breasts, leaving them sagging in some cases. A breast lift surgery is one option for addressing this issue. It can be coupled with an augmentation or not, depending on what you’re hoping to achieve when making the medical decision.
  • Breast reduction: The opposite effect of pregnancy-related changes in the chest are sometimes experienced by women who are larger chested to begin with, who may sometimes find that their breasts have grown too much during their pregnancy. Breast reduction can reduce the size of your cup by removing some excess breast tissue.

What to Expect During Breast Procedures

While the precise details of your surgery will depend on which type you’ve chosen and a few other factors, there are some general steps that almost all women go through. 

You will begin by having an exam with your surgeon to determine if you’re a good candidate for surgery and, if so, which type is the best fit; we also take into consideration your preferences and goals as well as other physical aspects like skin elasticity and breast tissue resilience.

During your preoperative appointment, you and your doctor will discuss what type of anesthesia is appropriate for you. If you’re looking to carry out the surgery as quickly as possible, general anesthesia may be an effective choice; or you can opt for conscious sedation or local anesthesia depending on various factors such as whether there are additional procedures being carried out at the same time or not.

With anesthesia out of the way, we’ll make a plan for your surgery and discuss it with you. This will include an explanation of what to expect during the procedure itself, as well as what results might be like and how long you’ll need to recover before returning back to your normal routine.

For more on breast surgery following pregnancy, or to learn about any of our cosmetic surgery programs in Utah, speak to the staff at the offices of Steven Warnock MD today.