Is breastfeeding possible?

Question

I had a breast reduction when I was 18 years old, and was wondering if anyone who has had this was able to breastfeed. Im 7 weeks pregnant and want to breastfeed if possible. I would ask my plastic surgeon but I no longer live in the same city. I see my doctor next week but I thought I would check with some other women first. Thanks for your imput.

Answer 1

Depends on how your surgery was done.  My cousin they had to move the nipples and the milk glands and everything didn't get attached good enough for her to breastfeeding but sometimes they are successful with the reattachment.  So you will need to find out from your Dr if your nipples were reattached properly or not or if you were one of the lucky ones that didn't have nipples redone too.  

Answer 2

best to ask your doctor. I had one many years ago and with my first baby, I had a bit of leakage but nowhere near enough to breastfeed...I'm 38 weeks now and have no leakage at all (with my first I had some way before 38 weeks) so I don't think I'll be able to with this one either. I was a double D and went down to a small C, so maybe it was just too much?? either way my daughter was formula fed and is just fine and perfectly healthy!!! If you can breast feed, that of course is the best, but if not don't stress too much, formulas nowadays are great!!! good luck!!!!!

Answer 3

It depends on the type of incision the surgeon made.  If the lollipop incision was made (A cut around your entire areola along with a vertical cut down underneath your breast) your milk ducts may have been severed.  Some moms who have had breast reductions can solely breastfeed, but most need some amount of supplementing of formula.

If you want to exclusively breastfeed, but do not produce enough milk, you can purchase a Lactaid http://www.lact-aid.com/prodcat08.htm

Best of luck to you!

Answer 4

I would think so. They only reduced the size of your breast.

Answer 5

It all really depends on the type of surgery you had. If they disconnected the nipples at all it may be difficult. But there is light on the other side. Pregnancy is an amazing time in a woman's life! Breast tissue/milk ducts tend to regenerate during pregnancy. I have a friend who also got a reduction in high school and she nursed her first for 6 weeks, second for 3 months and the third she is still nursing at 11 mos! It just keeps on getting better. I met a girl in walmart who told me she nursed right from the start after her reduction, the nipples were not detached in her surgery. It might be worth looking up your surgeon and see what kind of surgery you had.

Congrats on the pregnancy!! =)

Answer 6

My friend had a reduction and the surgeon said she would be able to breast feed, but there is always chance that the milk ducts ( is that what its called?) could have been damaged and that would result in not being able to. They do everything to try and make sure it is okay though.

Answer 7

Plenty of women can breastfeed after a reduction.

The chances depend on what your procedure was regarding the nipples.

50/50 if you had a Free Nipple Graft, and almost 100 per cent if you did not have an FNG.

http://www.bfar.org

http://www.breasthealthonline.org

Answer 8

if you had a breast reduction, i think you can. but you should definately ask your doctor