Breast Surgery Support Thread

ButterMyBiscuit · March 2016

Hi Ladies! I had a breast reduction in 2008 and I had issues breastfeeding my first child. I thought I would start a support thread for other Mamas who may have had some type of breast surgery and are concerned about breastfeeding their babe. Feel free to share as little or as much as you'd like about your experiences.

ButterMyBiscuit · March 2016

I'll go ahead and share my story. In 2008 I had breast reduction surgery because I was having major back issues. I was only 21 at the time and I knew it could affect breastfeeding in the future but that was a risk my younger self was willing to take. Fast forward to 2011 when I had my son. I was a wreck questioning my decision to have the surgery and after he was born, I had already told myself it just wouldn't be possible to BF. I was able to give him the colostrum he needed but afterwards, my supply was very limited. When I pumped, I only got about an ounce out of each breast. I was stressed, emotional, and overwhelmed with the responsibilities of being a first time mother. My pediatrician was amazing and helped me supplement with a tube of formula that I placed next to my nipple in hopes that it would stimulate my supply. After a couple of months, I was so worn down and I gave up. My job was not BF friendly and my supply was getting less and less. I just decided I couldn't go on. After I put myself through the worst guilt trip ever, I realized that everyone was happier when I wasn't stressed about pumping or my supply. This time around, I'm encouraged that my supply might be greater from some of the things I've read on this site: https://www.bfar.org/faq.shtml

I hope you other ladies will share your stories and we can help support one another!

MotherOfDucks · March 2016

I think it's great that you let go of the guilt but that you're going to try again.

I know a great place to get teas and supplements. Euphoric Herbals. You can find it on Facebook or Instagram.

I had breast surgery after my last child. My surgeon said it shouldn't at all affect breastfeeding... but who knows?

ButterMyBiscuit · March 2016

@MotherOfDucks Thanks for the recommendation! I am definitely trying again but with a completely different mindset.

If you don't mind me asking, what sort of surgery did you have?

MotherOfDucks · March 2016

I got implants. We weren't going to go for a 4th baby... otherwise I'd have waited. Just to play it safe.

mamafox14 · March 2016

@ButterMyBiscuit thanks for sharing! I've been thinking about getting a reduction since I was 15 and had decided to wait. I definitely feel for you on the back problems, carrying these things is no joke! I hope you have an easier time breastfeeding this time around! I'm rooting for you!

rakel88 · March 2016

@ButterMyBiscuit thanks for sharing. I think it's awesome that you're gonna try it again - I'm sure it's a difficult decision especially after struggling with the guilt from stopping last time.

Not quite surgery, but I had my nipples pierced. I've read conflicting information online regarding breastfeeding after that (depends where on the nipple, how long ago, how well it was done, etc.), and my doctor isn't really able to give me a straight answer. The woman who pierced them told me she had hers and was able to breastfeed both her babies, but at the time I had no interest in babies and didn't really care about her story (now thinking back, it's encouraging).
I honestly hadn't even given it a second thought until maybe 2 weeks ago and now it's all I think about.. This is my first baby and would really love to be able to breastfeed and I think I'll be devastated if I can't

Pankers · March 2016

I had a breast reduction in 2000. Went from an FF to a C (surprisingly then went back to a G before DD, so god knows that size they'd have been if I'd not had it). I was told the same @ButterMyBiscuit , that there would be a risk of not being able to breastfeed but they couldn't give me any more. I had no colostrum but was never sure if that was because DD was 23 days early or the breast reduction.

Before I go any further, everyone makes theirs own choices about breastfeeding and how long they do it for.

I had planned to breastfeed for 12 months. The first 2 weeks were the WORST! I had a crappy supply and a flat nipple on one side. It was brutal. I tried pumping...it was bad. Nipple shields were nasty. I tried a lactation consultant but it didn't work out. Mostly because she never struggled to breastfeed so she had no idea what I was going through. I then found an AWESOME LC who also struggled with supply and it was a match made in heaven! In the end I had to supplement 50:50 with breast
milk and formula. I managed to breastfeed for 13 months!!!! I did this by using an SNS which allowed me to use formula and breastfeed at the same time. I pumped for 12 months. It would go: 6am feed, 9am pump, 12 noon pump, 3pm pump, 6pm feed, 8pm feed, 10pm pump, 1am pump, 3am pump. I did that from 5 months to 12 months when I went back to work. Not for everyone I know, but it worked for me.

I tried everything under the sun to up my supply but I ended up taking Domperidone for 12 months. I think it did something. With all the pumping I did, I'd get enough milk to get 2 x 5 ounce bottles a day. And the other bottles were formula.

I did buy a book about breastfeeding after a reduction and there were stories that 2nd and 3rd babies sometimes trigger tubes and nerves to heal. So I'm holding out hope for a better supply this time as I'm not sure I can do what I did last time with a 2 year old.

I'm more than happy for anyone to ask anything and I'm happy to share my experiences too.

Each to their own with breastfeeding but good luck to any mommas that have had surgery who want to give it a try.

X

kcossey528 · March 2016

I'm glad you shared your stories. It's hard when things happen that prevent you from breast feeding when you really want to, and sometimes people aren't the most understanding.
I didn't have surgery, although it's on the list for later, but I have flat/inverted nipples. DD was 10 weeks early, so feeding and latching was an issue already. I tried feeding/pumping, but it just wasn't working. Nicu staff was not very supportive, and borderline aggressive about you HAVE to breastfeed. It was intimidating during an already stressful time. I stopped pumping about 3 months. I think about it now and it kind of stresses me out. I'm going to do everything I can to breastfeed, but not work myself up to be disappointed if it doesn't work out. I understand every pregnancy is different, so I will just keep positive!

for supplements I used Fenugreek, which I think is fairly common for increasing supply. I had a crappy supply because I was inconsistent at pumping. It can be found at a vitamin store.

kcossey528 · March 2016

@Pankers: do you live in Canada? From my understanding Domperidone is not approved in the US. We put some of our lung patients on it for GI issues that fail with other therapies. We have to write an RX for them, and they have to find a pharmacy in Canada or Mexico to fill it. I've heard it works wonders for GI issues, but haven't heard it being used for supply. May have to keep that in the back of my mind!

pandamonium20 · March 2016

@rakel88 Same boat here. Mine will have been done for three years when he comes but I don't feel like they're ready and that seems ridiculous to me.

rakel88 · March 2016

@pandaferh I got mine done a long time ago, like 2008 I think? And I took them out 2 or 3 years ago? (Wow my memory is SO bad!)
While there's no way I'd be able to put jewelry back on, the holes are still there.. I don't even know, logistically, how the piercings could affect breastfeeding, but I'm worried about it.

I'm sorry if I'm missing something in your post but do you still have yours in? If so, do you plan on taking the jewelry out to breastfeed and putting it back in or retiring them or what?

pandamonium20 · March 2016

Mine are still in. I'm kind of tired of them, especially because of pregnancy sensitivity, but I'm holding onto them at this point because of how painful the healing process was. I'm not ready for that to be pointless yet

Im planning to try to keep them. I'll be taking them out for feedings, obviously, then replacing them. If that's too painful, I'll give them up. I know that I'll have to be hyper vigilant about germs and such and I'm still researching the whole ordeal. This is one of the things that seriously stresses me out. It's very important to me to breast feed and I do worry about how this will affect it. If it comes to a choice though, it's an easy one.

Pankers · March 2016

@kcossey528 I was living in the USA at the time. I found a website that would supply it without a prescription. I was very wary but after reading lots I decided to buy it. it was from Inhousepharmacy it was .biz when I ordered it but now it looks like .vu. Yes they come from Vanuatu but they are real. I had to pay by bill pay or something as credit card payments triggered the need for a prescription.

Pankers · March 2016

@kcossey528 it works because it's side effect is increased prolactin. Which is good if you want to breastfeed but obviously not so good if you don't. I even emailed Dr Jack Newman in Canada (a huge proponent of breastfeeding and this drug) and asked him about dosage. He replied! Sent me some awesome resources to read and was very supportive. I'll post the websites tomorrow when not on my phone.

Last BMB there were also moms who bought it and then sold it because they didn't need it or didn't want it. I bought some off 1 mom too, easier than the internet sometimes.

Pankers · March 2016

Please don't think I'm pushing the use of drugs

it's not for everyone but it was for me. It's a personal choice, and I just want people to have information to make the choice. It's been used in Canada for this purpose for decades.

AshGee18 · March 2016

I also had breast reduction surgery! I had it done in 2012 due to back and shoulder problems. I was told I'd have a 50/50 chance of breastfeeding, it's good to know there is support out there and others in the same situation! This is my first child so I have yet to know if I can breastfeed.

ButterMyBiscuit · March 2016

AshGee18 said:

I also had breast reduction surgery! I had it done in 2012 due to back and shoulder problems. I was told I'd have a 50/50 chance of breastfeeding, it's good to know there is support out there and others in the same situation! This is my first child so I have yet to know if I can breastfeed.

We'll be here to support you.

Lancy1269 · March 2016

I got breast implants 15 years ago, due to undiagnosed Insufficient Glandular Tissue. Due to the IGT I have been unable to breast feed any of my children, something that caused feelings of PPD in me after I "failed" with my first child. By the time I had my third child I had finally accepted that my boobs just don't work for feeding my kids! But it was never the implants that caused my lack of milk production, and I still don't regret them.

dolewhipper · March 2016

@rakel88 My sister is a BF machine. Only thing that happened was that her nipple looks a little funny from the scar tissue; her nipple got larger and the scar tissue poked out so it looks like a bump. Her DD is 11 weeks and eats about 10 times a day, and her supply is amazing.

I did read that it depends on where you were pierced (like the location of the piercing in your nipple), but I wouldn't worry about it!

willardaz06 · March 2016

Thanks so much for starting this thread and for everyone sharing their stories! I had a reduction in 2005 and have been nervous about how breastfeeding will go, as I'm a FTM. Did anyone take any breastfeeding classes prior to having their first? And if so, did you find it helpful?

randishane011804 · March 2016

I had BR surgery in 2003 when I was 17, and my doctor said that there is a risk of having trouble BF. My question to you ladies that have BTDT is, did you experience the same pregnancy symptoms with your breasts as say someone who didn't have surgery? Like did you have the swelling, nipple discomfort, nipple discoloration, etc.? I guess I'm just trying to see if I can try to pick an indicator if I would potentially have issues.

rakel88 · March 2016

@dolewhipper thank you! Nice to hear a success story

ButterMyBiscuit · March 2016

@willardaz06 I did take a BF course before birth and it was helpful. My issue was with supply and this time, I plan to meet with a lactation specialist before the birth. I'm hoping to learn the best way to up my supply as soon as possible.

@randishane011804 I had all the same breast symptoms that others have and I have them this time, too. The thing with this type of surgery is that you don't know how much it has affected you until you're in the midst of it. The unknown can be super frustrating.

Pankers · March 2016

@randishane011804 , yep, all the same symptoms but you kind of don't know till you try. And sometimes you don't know you have a supply issues until your kiddo is not gaining any weight.....but don't worry. I do recommend finding a lactation consultant as soon as you have given birth. Mine was awesome (well my second one anyway).

I also bought this: https://www.amazon.com/Defining-your-Own-Success-Breastfeeding/dp/0912500867

worth a read and made me feel better about the situation.

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