Topic Overview

Women who have had breast implants or surgery to remove cysts or benign (noncancerous) lumps usually are able to breast-feed.

Women who have had surgery to make their breasts smaller (breast reduction) may have trouble breast-feeding if the milk ducts were cut or removed during surgery. These women may wish to consult their surgeons to determine whether this is a problem. They also are encouraged to see a lactation consultant before delivery. The consultant will then know to watch the mother and baby closely.

A woman who has had surgery to treat breast cancer and who is planning to become pregnant and breast-feed should discuss possible problems with her cancer specialist (oncologist). Depending on the type of cancer and the kind of treatment she had, she may still be able to breast-feed.