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Breastfeeding After Rhinoplasty: What New Mothers Need to Know

Apr 15, 2021
3 min read

Updated: Oct 3

Thousands of people would like to have rhinoplasty, and among them are women who have recently given birth or who will give birth in the near future. One of the most common questions from this group is: “Is rhinoplasty possible during breastfeeding?” As Prof. Dr. Suleyman Tas Clinic, we wanted to prepare this informational article on whether breastfeeding mothers can have rhinoplasty, and on when rhinoplasty is safe for new mothers. We hope you find it useful, and wish you pleasant reading.

As is well known, babies are fed only breast milk for the first 6 months of their lives. Rhinoplasty should only be considered once this period is over and the baby is no longer exclusively breastfed. This rule applies to any rhinoplasty operation that requires general anesthesia. In other words, mothers and expectant mothers should plan rhinoplasty for after their baby has started on solid food.

Anesthesia Changes the Composition of Breast Milk

As mentioned, rhinoplasty can be planned once the baby has started on solid food after the first 6 months. However, the medications and other substances used during anesthesia can change the composition of breast milk. During this process, babies must not be breastfed under any circumstances. Even if this coincides with the period when the baby has started solid food, since breastfeeding should not be stopped altogether, enough breast milk can be expressed and stored in advance to feed the baby with a bottle until the effects of the anesthesia have fully worn off.

This Decision Should Be Made With Your Doctor, Not on Your Own

In addition to everything we've mentioned, if you are determined to have rhinoplasty while breastfeeding, you must let the doctor performing your surgery know that you are currently breastfeeding. This way, your rhinoplasty surgeon can guide you and make recommendations accordingly. By following this advice, you can get through the process in a way that is healthy for both your baby and yourself.

Advice for Mothers Breastfeeding After Rhinoplasty

In the final part of our article, we will share some general advice, point by point, for mothers who have had rhinoplasty while breastfeeding:

  • As mentioned earlier, the baby must not be breastfed during the anesthesia period. Although this can vary slightly depending on the person and the operation, the effects of anesthesia wear off within an average of 8 hours. Your doctor will inform you about this in detail.

  • During the recovery process after rhinoplasty, there is generally nothing serious for you to worry about regarding either your baby's health or your own.

  • As with any rhinoplasty patient, you should protect your nose from any impact after surgery. For this reason, you should avoid sudden movements your baby might make while in your arms that could hit your nose.

  • Before rhinoplasty, you should follow the specific rules set out by your doctor. For example, as a mother, you should pay particular attention to your diet and nutrition.

  • Breastfeeding mothers who have rhinoplasty should be sure to ask for support from those close to them. This support can especially include help with caring for the baby and with heavy tasks, particularly right after surgery. Rhinoplasty patients need to rest as much as possible and keep their movement to a minimum during the recovery period.

We have reached the end of our article on whether breastfeeding mothers can have rhinoplasty, prepared by Dr. Suleyman Tas Clinic. If you are currently breastfeeding, or about to begin breastfeeding, and are considering rhinoplasty, you can contact us at +90 532 056 3693 to learn more.

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