Hi ladies
Who are waiting to have a breast reduction and who have had the operation , when you have been to pre op counseling was you advised about the impact it would have on breastfeeding emotionally and was you advised to seek expert help if you did fall pregnant so there would be no risk to your baby,
Or was you just told 50/50 and no more discussion.

Just wondered if things have improved

Miranda

Pre-op in 2004, I was told

I could probably BF post surgery
Large breasted women have trouble BF anyway
He would try to preserve BF function

No mention whatsoever of emotional impact, or of the need to seek professional advice for BF. No mention of impact on baby.

I was told in 1988, at 15, that I might not be able to breastfeed.

I was told, pre-op, that it was very possible I would not be able to breastfeed. After the surgery, the surgeon told me I would be able to breastfeed.

My op was in 2001 (inferior pedicle) and I was hardly given any info on the impacts of BFing after op.

I was told my chances were 50/50-- which may I add is a very misleading statement. Does that mean I will have a 50% supply? Is there a chance I won't make any milk at all? etc, etc.

I was never told to speak to anyone should I want to BF.

As an extra I should add that of course now I know that ANYONE can BF. It's just a matter of education, supp and galacs. It would have been helpful to be told this before surgery though!!!!!

I was asked if I would want to breastfeed if I had anymore children and at the time I foolishly said no. So my dr. said I probably wouldn't be able to breastfeed. However after several years I had my 3rd baby and breastfeed him for 4 months but I had to supplement a lot. Then after 4 months for some reason my milk dried up. It was very disappointing. Now I have given birth to my 4th baby and I am breastfeeding and I don't have to supplement as much. I plan on breastfeeding as long as my body will allow me to.

In 1991 at age 18 I was told would probably not be able to bf. No mention of emotional impact. No real counseling on the subject.

I had my reduction in 2004. The dr told me he'd preserve the ducts and, at my appointment 24hrs after surgery I inquired about the status of my milk ducts. I asked if they had been removed and he looked at me like I had 10 heads and as if he couldn't even fathom why I had asked that question. It's possible it was just the way I interpreted his look considering I was slightly doped on pain killlers

But, to answer the question, I was told I could breastfeed and nothing more, nothing less.