reduction surgery?

[Terabith]

I am interested in what the rates of being able to successfully breat feed are after reduction surgery. I have very very large breasts and am currently breastfeeding, but I have thought about having the surgery when she weans. Unfortunately, I'm not sure I'm done having kids. But I'm also not sure I want to wait the possible 7 yrs or so until I'm done nursing before I get some relief. Any thoughts or experiences?

[lyttlewon]

Originally Posted by Terabith

I am interested in what the rates of being able to successfully breat feed are after reduction surgery. I have very very large breasts and am currently breastfeeding, but I have thought about having the surgery when she weans. Unfortunately, I'm not sure I'm done having kids. But I'm also not sure I want to wait the possible 7 yrs or so until I'm done nursing before I get some relief. Any thoughts or experiences?

I don't have stats for the success rates however I am also in line for a reduction. My OB told me NOT to have one until I am done with babies because it is likely they will grow back. From what I understand it depends on how many milk ducts are severed during the reduction process.

Here are some articles on it http://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/...t-surgery.html

[tash11]

I am bfar. I dont really reccomend it. I nurse all day. I take all kinds of herbs. I pump twice a day (sometimes 3 times) and I still have to supplement. It could be worse, but its not easy. and my breasts are almost as floppy as before (although I think they are smaller, but they are still big, I was reccomeded to get a 36F nurseing bra from birthandbaby when I emailed them. I was a 34DD/E or so before my surgery, and a 34C after). I have used a finger feeder, a lact-aid, and a sns. even with the supplement my 6 month old is small at 12lbs.

from all that I have read it seems that most bfarers can provide about 50-100% of the milk thier baby needs. I fall into that at about 75-66%. My baby currently gets 8oz of formula a day, and every few days (or week) when I have pumped enough she gets 4oz milk and 4oz formula.

I think its really a question of: how much supplement can you live with giving to your baby? do you have the ability/desire to get donor milk? if not are you ok with giving formula? with donor milk or formula are you emotinally ok with it? are you prepared to deal with the alternative means of feeding (sns, bottle, etc) (purchaseing, cleaning, dripping, tapeing, etc)?


once you know you are done having kids/bfing. definatly get it done.


pm me if you have any more questions (at least point me back, I might not see them here)

[SleepyMamaBear]

i had a reduction in 99. had my daughter in 04. i had NO idea i could use an SNS or a Lact-Aid to BFAR. my dd comfort nursed til she was 2 months old then gave it up cause my breasts didnt give her what she wanted. i suppose if we had known about the SNS she would still be nursing today at 2.

with our future children i will be using an SNS, and as much donor milk as needed, if i still need to suppliment more milk for her it will be organic goats milk formula.
as someone who has grieved so badly and experienced pretty bad PPD spurred on by feeling like i failed my daughter in not being able to give her my own milk i highly reccommend you wait till you are done having children.

then. DO IT!!! its wonderful to have smaller breasts now!! i love that i dont have to wear a bra, so i dont! i love not feeling sweat on my belly under my breasts by my belly button. i love that they point out, and not down.
i HATE that they dont nourish my child.

[~~Mama2B~~]

I'm new to this thread, as I'm just a few months pg with my first. I had breast reduction surgery at age 20. I went from a 40KK down to a 36D. Currently with weight gain and whatnot I'm a 38/40DD. I love my size.

I have the newer style of surgery in which the nipple was not removed and the majority of the incisions took place an inch or two from the nipple. I'm hoping that I will be able to bfar without any difficulties, but only time will tell.

Since I'm new to everything.. I'm hoping someone can enlighten me: what is lact-aid and SNS? Also, this isn't really related, but I do have one inverted nipple (it's really attractive...). Can a woman still breastfeed from that side despite the fact? I can push it out, so I'm assuming it would work, but just curious...

TIA
Kristi

[MCatLvrMom2A&X]

There are things that can be done to help with inverted nipples. Do a search here and on the net I bet you can pull up info. It can me more painfull to get nursing started on that side but it can be done. A sns is tubing that can be taped to the nipple so that when the baby sucks from the nipple it also sucks the tubing and gets milk that way. Either formula or bm. and that way stimulated the breast to make more milk.

[~~Mama2B~~]

Originally Posted by MCatLvrMoMof2

There are things that can be done to help with inverted nipples. Do a search here and on the net I bet you can pull up info. It can me more painfull to get nursing started on that side but it can be done. A sns is tubing that can be taped to the nipple so that when the baby sucks from the nipple it also sucks the tubing and gets milk that way. Either formula or bm. and that way stimulated the breast to make more milk.

Thanks so much for the info on sns. Is there a website that explains how it works? Is that something I'd have to talk to a Dr. about or can I just buy the supplies myself? Has anyone here used it? How does it feel? I'll have to keep that in mind as the time gets closer for me.

I always forget about the search feature... Duh. I'll look for inverted nipples now.

Thanks again!

Kristi