Sleeve Surgery while Breastfeeding

[Poku 14]

I'm going to my seminar tomorrow and hope to have surgery by this summer. Just had my 3rd baby in September though, so she will still be nursing. Even if I pushed it back to the end of the year, I don't have any plans to wean at a specific time.

So my question is, has anyone here had the sleeve done while still nursing? Did the diet change affect your milk supply? Were you able to get pain relief after surgery without pumping/dumping?

TIA!

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[Jacket52204 35]

I had my sleeve done when my daughter was eight months old and still breastfeeding. I have not had any issues with supply and it has not affected my weight loss at all. I did not pump and dump either. I nursed her right after I was awake enough from surgery and never missed a beat. I would not push it back if I were you.

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[Berry78 4,259]

Personally I would wean before surgery. Too many potential medications, hormone release during weight loss, malnutrition, etc.

I nursed each of my kids for a year, then did me-stuff after weaning.

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[Poku 14]

I'm not too worried about the hormones released during weight loss, so long as it doesn't decrease production, because many moms lose while nursing naturally. I am a bit concerned about the medications given during/after surgery though, especially if I'll need pain management for a couple weeks.

Definitely something I will talk to my dr about, but happy to see opinions & personal experiences, thank you both!

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[Alyssa_T 30]

I was breastfeeding when I had my sleeve op. My milk supply just went to ZERO in three weeks. I tried to drink enough fluids but it was all gone. My baby just turn one year 2 weeks after surgery.

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[Poku 14]

Oh no, that's what I'm afraid of. Maybe I need to push it back till she hits a year, that way if I do dry up she won't need formula.

Thank you for sharing your experience!

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[Alyssa_T 30]

Poku, talk to your doctor. I was feeling so weak after op that the first 4 days after surgery, I hardly drank. Also because of my medicines, I didn't latch for two days... I think all that influenced. If you want to breastfeed a bit more, I suggest to wait just a liiiittle bit because the hair loss may be big! I took Proteins, suplements for breastfeeding moms (my dietist was concern about my nutrition), I lost LOTS of hair. I don't regret a second my sleeve but If i only could do it again, i would have waited 2 more months. Good luck!

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[savyourdvine1 110]

Please remember people react to this surgery differently. Some suffer and need pain meds while others don't. Also, some have trouble getting in Protein, and liquids while others don't. The biggest thing in all of this is..... No one can tell you how your body will respond. When I woke up with no pain, I thought someone was playing a trick on me. However, as the days and weeks went by my stomach began rejecting all Protein drinks (which is vital)

I'm yet learning how to make adjustments as I cater to this sleeve. I take all my vitamines and Protein. I found out yesterday that my vitamine B1 is extremely low. I knew something was wrong because a flight of stairs zapped all my energy. The greatest advise from my prospective is to have a good Dr. and a good team whenever you do decide to do the surgery. If I had to do it all over again I would choose a different place all together.

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[Jflan917 0]

I had my sleeve done when my daughter was eight months old and still breastfeeding. I have not had any issues with supply and it has not affected my weight loss at all. I did not pump and dump either. I nursed her right after I was awake enough from surgery and never missed a beat. I would not push it back if I were you.
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Was it painful breastfeeding her against your stomach?

[Jacket52204 35]

No not at all.

[dreamingsmall 1,125]

On 2/1/2017 at 7:18 PM, Poku said:

Oh no, that's what I'm afraid of. Maybe I need to push it back till she hits a year, that way if I do dry up she won't need formula.

Thank you for sharing your experience!

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Obviously your milk will reduce. Or dry up and even if it doesn't it will reduce in nutrients. At least wait till your child is fully on solids. But as someone who did breastfeeding training and nurse both my children I can be honest that your Dr isn't concerned about you nursing your child so most will just insist you go ahead. But we have to use our common sense. I agree wait till one year.

[dreamingsmall 1,125]

On 2/2/2017 at 8:39 PM, savyourdvine1 said:

Please remember people react to this surgery differently. Some suffer and need pain meds while others don't. Also, some have trouble getting in Protein, and liquids while others don't. The biggest thing in all of this is..... No one can tell you how your body will respond. When I woke up with no pain, I thought someone was playing a trick on me. However, as the days and weeks went by my stomach began rejecting all Protein  drinks (which is vital)

I'm yet learning how to make adjustments as I cater to this sleeve. I take all my vitamines and Protein. I found out yesterday that my vitamine B1 is extremely low. I knew something was wrong because a flight of stairs zapped all my energy. The greatest advise from my prospective is to have a good Dr. and a good team whenever you do decide to do the surgery. If I had to do it all over again I would choose a different place all together.

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It's not about the pain. It's about the fact your getting in under 500 calories. Which is no were near enough for a breastfeeding mum. It's irresponsible to exclusively breastfeed on such a small amount. Your body needs 500 extra calories when breastfeeding. Some mum's have the surgery and supliment with formula as well as continue breastfeeding to insure their child gets the nutrients needed. I was under the impression op wants to exclusively breastfeed.

[Poku 14]

Thanks for all the replies. I had ultimately decided to wait until my daughter was a year old before perusing this further, that way if it did effect my milk supply, she would would be old enough to wean anyway.

In the meantime, my husband’s employment and insurance changed. Now it’s not possible for me to get the surgery at all as our bcbs IL high deductible plan doesn’t cover any part of weight loss plans or surgery.

Edited November 22, 2017 by Poku