Anyone Breastfeed Through Weightloss Surgery?
Well, not through the actual surgery, but you were breatfeeding before and continued to breastfeed after?
I'm having a Lapband to DS revision. My son will be 9 months at the time of my revision. I was hoping to make it to one year with our nursing relationship. My surgeon says to wean. My family doctor says that there's no need to wean. I'm currently corresponding with a lactation consultant who thinks it's possible as long as I do well with hydration, protein, and vitiman levels and moniter the baby's growth reguarly.
I'm wondering if anyone has actually attempted it. Has anyone actually made it work?
I appreciate any constructive comments, but please no flaming for just asking the question.
I'm having a Lapband to DS revision. My son will be 9 months at the time of my revision. I was hoping to make it to one year with our nursing relationship. My surgeon says to wean. My family doctor says that there's no need to wean. I'm currently corresponding with a lactation consultant who thinks it's possible as long as I do well with hydration, protein, and vitiman levels and moniter the baby's growth reguarly.
I'm wondering if anyone has actually attempted it. Has anyone actually made it work?
I appreciate any constructive comments, but please no flaming for just asking the question.
I didn't breastfeed through weight loss surgery, but I breastfed through having my tonsils and adenoids out. I pumped & dumped for a couple of days because of the anesthesia.
My biggest concern for you is that I think it would be really hard to get in enough liquids for yourself and your baby. Maybe you can build up a supply of breast-milk ahead of time. Or plan to go part formula part breastfeeding so he's not dependent on just directly breastfeeding. Then at least you'd be prepared if do have trouble getting in liquids yourself.
The plus is that your son will be 9 months old, so he is most likely getting other food sources. I hope things work out for you!
Melanie
My biggest concern for you is that I think it would be really hard to get in enough liquids for yourself and your baby. Maybe you can build up a supply of breast-milk ahead of time. Or plan to go part formula part breastfeeding so he's not dependent on just directly breastfeeding. Then at least you'd be prepared if do have trouble getting in liquids yourself.
The plus is that your son will be 9 months old, so he is most likely getting other food sources. I hope things work out for you!
Melanie
I have had 2 children post op that I nursed for 18 months and over 2 1/2 years without ever having formula. With that being said I wouldn't breastfeed as a new post op simply because you will be in ketosis. You milk will have ketones in it and that might be harmful in large amounts to the baby. I would ask a doctor about it of course.
I was nursing my daughter when I had a TT/hernia repair. Nursing hurt so bad after 4 days of pump and dump that I ended up weaning her. Good luck with whatever you choose!
I was nursing my daughter when I had a TT/hernia repair. Nursing hurt so bad after 4 days of pump and dump that I ended up weaning her. Good luck with whatever you choose!
I personally would not recommend it. The surgery your having is the most mal-absorbtive one available. Maybe it would be different if you were having lapband surgery, but you're not. I think this is a case where the risks outweight the benefits. Luckily he is 9 mos old already so he is already off to a great start.
I have found that since the 7 years of WLS I had, it is shocking how many family practitioners/obgyn's are under-educated about it and feel free giving out advice that could potentially be harmful. I'd rather they say "gee, I'm not sure" than "it's ok". You're WL surgeon is the one to listen to in this case, IMO. Good luck!
I have found that since the 7 years of WLS I had, it is shocking how many family practitioners/obgyn's are under-educated about it and feel free giving out advice that could potentially be harmful. I'd rather they say "gee, I'm not sure" than "it's ok". You're WL surgeon is the one to listen to in this case, IMO. Good luck!
M/C 10/18/10 9w2d...forever loved
It's a boy!
I had a DS and I weaned my toddler beforehand because a) my insurance excluded nursing women from WLS and I didn't want them to decline me if I somehow let it slip and b) HYDRATION, HYDRATION, and HYDRATION! Getting in adequate fluids for your own self can be very difficult in the early days after DS and getting enough to nurse a baby might be downright impossible. People who are not breastfeeding land in the hospital for IV fluids regularly.
The malabsorption part wouldn't concern me - plenty of women do nurse after RNY and DS - but you will be really run down from surgery and it's just HARD. Also, you'll have abdominal soreness after DS that would make most nursing positions really uncomfortable, especially with a good-sized, strong 9-month-old baby.
It is awesome that you have nursed 9 months and have a one year goal, but I strongly recommend either weaning or postponing surgery until you are ready to stop nursing.
The malabsorption part wouldn't concern me - plenty of women do nurse after RNY and DS - but you will be really run down from surgery and it's just HARD. Also, you'll have abdominal soreness after DS that would make most nursing positions really uncomfortable, especially with a good-sized, strong 9-month-old baby.
It is awesome that you have nursed 9 months and have a one year goal, but I strongly recommend either weaning or postponing surgery until you are ready to stop nursing.
Wow! Your insurance excluded nursing women from WLS!?! I'd never heard that before. The hydration part is what worries me the most as well. I also wonder if my supply would just naturally diminish as a result of fewer calories, hydration, etc.
It's interesting the information I've been finding as I've been researching this topic. It seems that women who are malnourished (not just malabsportive) can produce adequate breastmilk for their babies. But, as you (and previous posters) point out, there are other factors to consider as well.
Thanks for the input!
It's interesting the information I've been finding as I've been researching this topic. It seems that women who are malnourished (not just malabsportive) can produce adequate breastmilk for their babies. But, as you (and previous posters) point out, there are other factors to consider as well.
Thanks for the input!
Yeah, isn't that weird that they specifically excluded nursing mothers? It makes sense for a surgeon to recommend weaning, IMO, but it's weird that the ins co stuck their nose in too.
I wish there were some decent studies about WLS and breastfeeding. I'm not sure if your supply would diminish or not - some women have an incredibly robust supply, but others are a lot more sensitive.
Keep researching and asking around, and I hope whatever you need to do works out well for you. Make sure your baby takes bottles well (if you work or anything I'm sure you have that covered) and has a formula that works well, and best of luck whatever you choose!
I wish there were some decent studies about WLS and breastfeeding. I'm not sure if your supply would diminish or not - some women have an incredibly robust supply, but others are a lot more sensitive.
Keep researching and asking around, and I hope whatever you need to do works out well for you. Make sure your baby takes bottles well (if you work or anything I'm sure you have that covered) and has a formula that works well, and best of luck whatever you choose!
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