The Impact of Pregnancy on Breast Reconstruction Outcomes

Pregnancy after breast reconstruction can bring up a lot of questions, from timing to appearance changes to breastfeeding. If you’ve had surgery or are planning to, it’s helpful to understand how pregnancy might affect your results so you can plan accordingly. 

With board certification and specialized experience in advanced breast reconstruction techniques, Dr. Christopher G. Williams and Dr. Jeremy Z. Williams can help you make an informed choice about your future. They offer their services at The Breast Center in Lone Tree and Denver, Colorado, where personalized planning is part of every consultation.

Is It Safe to Get Pregnant After Breast Reconstruction?

Pregnancy after breast reconstruction is generally considered safe, but timing is important. It’s usually recommended to wait at least six to 12 months after your surgery before becoming pregnant. This allows your body to fully heal, especially if you’ve had a DIEP flap or another form of microsurgical reconstruction. 

If you’ve undergone chemotherapy or radiation, your recovery window might be longer. These recommendations can vary by case, so speak directly with your surgeon or oncologist to determine what’s best for you.

How Can Pregnancy Affect My Reconstruction Results?

Pregnancy affects your body in many ways, including weight gain, hormonal changes, and skin stretching. These factors can influence the reconstructed breast, although the degree of change depends on the reconstruction method used and your individual body. 

Your reconstructed breast size and shape may still change slightly. Long-term durability is something we can discuss in your consultation.

What About Breastfeeding?

Whether you can breastfeed depends on your specific surgery. If your nipple was removed during a mastectomy, breastfeeding is typically not possible. If you had a nipple-sparing mastectomy, there’s a chance some milk ducts remain intact, but function isn’t guaranteed. 

This varies widely and should be discussed with your surgical team. Some women can still produce milk, but the volume and ability to feed may be limited. 

Talk to Experts Who Understand

Every woman’s situation is different. If you’ve had breast reconstruction or are considering it and hope to grow your family, the surgeons at The Breast Center will help you make a plan. 

Call 303-706-1100 to schedule a consultation in Lone Tree and get answers from a team that can walk you through your options before, during, or after pregnancy.