are there any nursing moms out there that were nursing their child when they were banded? what tips do you have to give? how soon were you able to nurse after surgery, because i have heard many differing views...my doctor says 24 hours after, but there is no way my son will go that long, i think the most i can keep him away will probably be about 12 hours! i know some ppl have said they nursed as soon as they came home and were feeling up to it...

I would strongly recommend that you pump and store prior to surgery. There will be a lot of stuff going through your body from the surgery that may not be safe for your baby to ingest through the breast milk. In addition, you will likely want to take some pain killers at least the first and second day and that also may not be safe while nursing. Speak with your surgeon and your ped to make sure that the medications are an ok category to be taking while nursing...

I would strongly recommend that you pump and store prior to surgery. There will be a lot of stuff going through your body from the surgery that may not be safe for your baby to ingest through the breast milk. In addition, you will likely want to take some pain killers at least the first and second day and that also may not be safe while nursing. Speak with your surgeon and your ped to make sure that the medications are an ok category to be taking while nursing...

well he is giving me paid meds and nausea med that will not interfere with nursing...any thoughts from moms that have gone through the surgery already while nursing?

how old is your baby? I waited until my baby was 15 months and weaned before getting the surgery. I just thought i would be losing alot of weight would not be consuming the calories needed to produce milk for her. In other words i was worried i wouldn't be able to make enough milk for her so i just waited to get the surgery. I weaned her 1 week before getting the surgery (i had started weaning her 2 months before by just cutting out feedings until i was down to 1 or 2 a day). But if your surgeon and Ped. think all will be fine i would just listen to them.

I know how much pain I was in and how sensitive my stomach was when I got home and could not imagine trying to nurse after. Just my .02

I am a nursing mother and a Lactation Consultant. You need to start pumping first and formost. Then you need to get in contact with a lactation consultant in your area and you also need to speek with the Drs and get a list of the medication that they plan on using. I had no issues with breastfeeding my son after being put under. Its all about the half life of a medication and how much is transfered into the milk. Most pain meds are fine to take but then again you need to be pro active and let your doctors know that you are breastfeeding and need a list of the medications so that you can make a safe and informed decision on when it is safe. Dr. Hall has a book out called Medicines and Mothers Milk. His WHOLE life has been the study of mothers milk and medications. He is the #1 resource that is used in the medical world.

my surgery went well and i nursed my son about 10.5 hours after i went in...i am happy to say he did great, and had no effects from the anesthesia even though I was nervous!