Finally did some research on implants and BF

Sascha3 · January 2012

Not sure what took me so long to look up some information, but I finally did tonight. I have posted before about a very small milk supply that is decreasing daily. At my doctor's advice, I started supplementing after day 3 due to the fact she seemed to be starving and was not having hardly any wet diapers and no poopie diapers.

After reading the articles I found, it appears that I have most of the high risk factors from breast implants that cause a low milk supply or a mother being unable to BF.

1. I had more than one surgery. One in 1993 and one in 1995. My first resulted in major scar tissue. Scar tissue can cause pressure on the milk ducts which basically crush them.

2. My incision is under the areola. This incision can cut the pathways to the milk ducts and cause nerve damage which can also affect things. I definitely have nerve damage in my left nipple, the right maybe a little. Incisions under the armpit or under the breast are safer.

3. My implants are over the muscle, not under. Under the muscle causes less interference with the milk ducts...over the muscle causes more weight and pressure against them.

4. I have silicone...which some dr are not comfortable recommending women to BF if they have them.

The articles say I may actually produce nough milk, but the pathways may be blocked, not allowing them to clear and then they just stop producing when the milk is not released. I had horribly painful engorgement for a day or two and now my breasts are soft again and smaller than they have been since I got pregnant.

I am still getting the feeling of let down and I am able to pump about 1 oz between both breasts, down from 2 oz a couple days ago. I am going to contact a LC because I want to give her breast milk as long as I can, but it is not looking too good:(

Does anyone else on here have implants? Any issues?

jkeyros · January 2012

I have implants and have had more than one surgery. My incision is below the breast and the implants were placed behind the muscle. They are saline implants. I haven't had any issues with breastfeeding because of the implants.

PsyDr04 · January 2012

I don't have implants, but I just wanted to say that I love the pic of Layla and the dog on your profile!!! So freaking cute!

PsyDr04 · January 2012

P.S. My neighbor put me in touch with a friend of hers who knows a lot about BFing and I talked to her last night. She recommended the website theleakyboob.com

You might want to check it out. She said it's really good in terms of answering questions that people have. Might be a good resource for you!

courtneyklv · January 2012

Me!

My incision is underneath, silicone, under muscle.

I am producing a ton of milk but have been engorged for a week. I am a little softer but am all lumpy and hard and sore after a couple hours. I cant figure out if it is the bag that I am feeling or what?

I am not sure what to do so have been pumping every 3 hours. Was doing 15 minutes each side..now trying half of that.

Baby will try to latch for a while, but after 10 minutes I will give her my pumped milk.

It has been suggested to me to call my obgyn, but really..i dont think he will know what to do..

Sascha3 · January 2012

It looks like the articles I read were correct then, that the incision and whether or not they are over or under makes a big difference:(

Courtney...I would call a Lactation Consultant. Did you get a card of one in the hospital? If not, Belly Bliss has them or the La Leche League. They can answer better. I did read that women with implants get more painful engorgement and get engorged easier. The hard spots you are feeling are probably the milk ducts filling up. Pumping will relieve it and keep your supply going. Mine have been so soft the last few days, I cannot even feel an implant at all. It's not good because I think it is a sign of how little milk I am still able to produce. The LC can also help you with the baby's latch if that is the only problem you are having.

PsyDr...thanks for the info and about the picture:) They are so cute together...he loves her. I still owe you an email!

bturner13 · January 2012

Finally I'm not alone on here about this topic. I've been thinking about asking about this too just haven't. I also have implants, silicone memory gel. Got them in 2008, with the incisions thru my armpits and under the muscle.I had to have major scar tissue removed out of one of my breasts a few months later. I never planned on having kids at all so never thought about the bf or anything affecting them. I had our son 19 months ago and decided to atleast try breastfeeding. I had probs in the hospital with my son attaching to one of my breasts, which happened to be the one that had the scar tissue removed.He did ok with my other one. Once we got home I still had probs bf him. I barely produced any milk and stopped within a week and a half. It seemed like I would pump all day and would barely produce and ounce or two the whole day. I also got an infection in my left breast during his pregnancy which caused my scar tissue to come back. I am having a sched cs this monday for our daughter. I atleast plan to try to bf but I have serious doubts it will work. Hope some of this information works, and know that you are not alone. I'm sure in the future I will have to have my fixed again due to the scar tissue returning and a lil bit of sagging since my boobs got ginormous with each pregnancy. Best of luck to yall!

courtneyklv · January 2012

Sascha3:
It looks like the articles I read were correct then, that the incision and whether or not they are over or under makes a big difference:(
Courtney...I would call a Lactation Consultant. Did you get a card of one in the hospital? If not, Belly Bliss has them or the La Leche League. They can answer better. I did read that women with implants get more painful engorgement and get engorged easier. The hard spots you are feeling are probably the milk ducts filling up. Pumping will relieve it and keep your supply going. Mine have been so soft the last few days, I cannot even feel an implant at all. It's not good because I think it is a sign of how little milk I am still able to produce. The LC can also help you with the baby's latch if that is the only problem you are having.
PsyDr...thanks for the info and about the picture:) They are so cute together...he loves her. I still owe you an email!

Thanks! Yes I have her card..but didn't call her yet..figured I would give it a few more days..At least I have a lot of milk. I just need help with the hardness and latching. I am going to try a heating pad before every pump..along with some kind of (ouch!) massage too.

PsyDr04 · January 2012

No worries about "owing" me an email. I know how hard it is to get just about anything done with a newborn! I am becoming skilled at doing things with one hand since Matthew likes to be held all the time. I wish our cat loved him as much as your dog loves Layla. I think she is still waiting for us to take him back where he came from. LOL.

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