Breastfeeding/Pumping after WLS

I am new here, and SO GLAD that I stopped by this forum!

I am due in July 2010 with baby #1, and was just about to shell out big bucks for a brand new double electric breast pump from Medela...  the top of the line one, it's like nearly $300-$400!

I lost over 200 pounds, my weight loss surgery was 4.5 years ago.  I have very little breast tissue remaining, and what I do have is very saggy and wrinkly, not full at all.  I wonder how well my breasts will suction to the pump?  I had no idea that could become a problem...  the thought never even crossed my mind!

Again, so glad I came here!

Should I even bother buying a pump now or should I wait?  How on earth will I know unless I try one?  I bet you they are not returnable!  lol

-Amanda

 In the hospital they have a pump there that you can use.  You might try that first and see how it works, but you don't have a lot of milk the first few days so it might not be a good trial.

You can rent pumps from the hospital though on a monthly basis.  Perhaps you could try that before shelling out the big bucks on a purchased one. =)  Also, some health insurances will pay part of the rental or purchase of a pump.  Something to check into!

It's actually a good practice to massage your breasts while pumping, even if you are not having issues, as it helps to get more of the fatty hind milk down and out of the breast (and thats the good stuff!). I massage while I am nursing for this reason, it helps with let down and sometimes will get an extra ounce or two to a lazy baby LOL 

I use a hands free bra to be able to massage and compress my breast but still be able to pump both breasts at one time. This has helped me a lot.  HTH

Which bra is that?  Do you pump between feedings, or do you pump and then feed breastmilk to baby using a bottle?

http://www.pumpease.cust jom/buy/pumpease-regular
This is the one I have. I started out just pumping a couple times a day after feedings and then the week before I went back to work we replaced one feeding with a bottle and now that I am back to work I pump at work and before I go to bed.

Thanks!  That's awesome, it looks like the pumpease makes the pumps stay securely in place, and may even offer better suction than just holding the pump in place with my hands.