Breastfeeding right after surgery?

[MizzNewLife 32]

Im scheduled for VSG on August the 11th.
I'm currently breastfeeding my 11 month old.
Has anyone been in this situation?
This is my third and last baby and I want to nurse him as long as possible.
I was thinking I could bring a pump or hand express while I'm away just to keep up my milk production.
Was anyone else successful?

[Sosewsue61 3,185]

I would not bring this up with hospital staff as many are biased, I have heard some people were told to wean or no surgery. But I would certainly bring my pump, and pump and dump for at least 24 hours because of anesthetic, if you only do IV Tylenol for pain meds after surgery that would not pose an issue, you don't want to take dilaudid and nurse, you could pump and dump for longer if you had to take that strong of a pain killer.

your baby will bring your supply back once you are home with just more frequent nursings - but really really push fluids as much as you can this will be key to the milk supply plus you not getting dehydrated. Good luck.

[mamalala 13]

The hospital will provide you with a pump if you need one . Just ask when you are in triage


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[Bryn910 519]

I would definitely bring this up with your surgeon/doctors. Anesthesia can be in your system for days after surgery. Not to mention what other type of meds you will be taking (anti-nausea, pain, acid reflux, etc.) that may pose a risk to baby.

[Sleeved36 356]

Most meds are safe while nursing, bring it up with your team. They should know your situation beforehand bc they can choose safer medications to give you. This could allow you to not have to dump at all. Example: for nausea zofran is better than phenergan if you are nursing.

Definately bring your pump. Hospitals have them, but not outside of OB. They could track one down for you, but if the nurses are busy it could take a long time.

Some surgical groups want you to be done nursing b4 surgery bc your body will be in starvation mode. That being said, baby is eating other food too and not relying on you for total nutrition so it might be ok.

I totally get baby led weaning, it is what I did. One decided to be done at 15 months, the other at 18 months. I started the surgical process as soon as I was done nursing.

Even if they make you wait it shouldn't be too long. Unless you plan on nursing until preschool, but that would be another issue for another forum. Lol 😄

[MommaBear32 2]

Hi!

I had my surgery last Thursday (6/16) and I was also a breastfeeding mom!

I am just going to tell you my experience, but I do not want you to get discouraged at all!!

The hospital staff was awesome and they gave me a Bracelet to show everyone I was breastfeeding and all the doctors took that into consideration but they told me that I needed to at least wait until 24 hours to feed my baby before it was considered "safe". So I did the old "pump and dump".

I am going to be honest with you ... once I went to the clear liquid diet post op, my milk completely dried up in a day and a half. I am talking DRIED UP. I had a normal supply, was able to feed my 7.5 month old and have leftover. My body was just too weak and had nothing to support the milk supply. I didn't fight to keep the milk up because I was afraid that the calories I was burning to try and produce the milk and the calories I was taking in (next to nothing) were going to make me even weaker than I already was.

I am just being honest.. HOPEFULLY you will have a different experience! What I did do before my surgery was started ramping up my supply so I have a couple months in the freezer! Maybe that is an option.

Whatever happens, you got this!!

[2cool4dee 10]

Hey I know it's been almost a year op but were you able to successfully breastfeed after the surgery ?

[MizzNewLife 32]

1 hour ago, 2cool4dee said:

Hey I know it's been almost a year op but were you able to successfully breastfeed after the surgery ?

Hello and Yes! I continued breastfeeding and still currently am

[2cool4dee 10]

15 hours ago, MizzNewLife said:

Hello and Yes! I continued breastfeeding and still currently am

good to hear ! I have my surgery 05/20 and the thought of having to stop BF was bumming me out. I feel optamistic hearing it's possible. My baby is 13 months so i know if i stopped it'd be ok but im not ready LOL

[Frustr8 7,886]

And that's quite Okay, I had 2 wonderful nursing experiences out of my 3, and both boys had baby- led warnings. If I were younger and breast-feeding I would not stop either. I had to pump and dump after my tubal ligation but had loaded up my freezer with breast milk. Grandma. had bottles to put it in , but my son insisted on having it put in his sippy cup, pretty smart for a 15 month old, and yes I was able to step up and re establish once I was home, decided at 20 months to drop the last nursing. He is heakthy, healthiest of my kids and Tomkitten will be 40 on June 12th. Did you know Adele Davis ( she wrote back in the 70s) said if you tested formerly breast- fed adults they retain more favorable intestinal flora until they are 30 years old! :-* know she said much other good things but that's what sticks in my mind. God Bless you both and I hope your surgery goes extremely well.

[2cool4dee 10]

4 minutes ago, Frustr8 said:

And that's quite Okay, I had 2 wonderful nursing experiences out of my 3, and both boys had baby- led warnings. If I were younger and breast-feeding I would not stop either. I had to pump and dump after my tubal ligation but had loaded up my freezer with breast milk. Grandma. had bottles to put it in , but my son insisted on having it put in his sippy cup, pretty smart for a 15 month old, and yes I was able to step up and re establish once I was home, decided at 20 months to drop the last nursing. He is heakthy, healthiest of my kids and Tomkitten will be 40 on June 12th. Did you know Adele Davis ( she wrote back in the 70s) said if you tested formerly breast- fed adults they retain more favorable intestinal flora until they are 30 years old! 😘 know she said much other good things but that's what sticks in my mind. God Bless you both and I hope your surgery goes extremely well.

WOW , 20 months, thats awesome ! This is my first successful nursing experience out of my three and he is my last. We have such a great bond that its been difficult thinking i need to stop. I barely got my surgery date this passed monday for the 20th. im excited but wasn't expecting so soon of a date so i feel like i cant mentally prepare myself to start weaning. I aslso have a stash thatll last me a few months for what ever reason. He takes cups easily but when Im home he wants nothing to do with cups/bottles just straight from the tap. Im goning to have to look her up so i can read up on her. Thank you cant wait to be part of the "losers" bench

[mousecat88 2,281]

My concern would be a) the drastic hormonal changes that will occur after surgery may affect milk production and the large doses of Vitamins you will be taking may not be good to pass onto your baby through breastmilk. I would ask your surgeon if those Vitamin levels are safe.

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[mousecat88 2,281]

oops didnt see how old this was. lol

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[2cool4dee 10]

16 hours ago, mousecat88 said:

oops didnt see how old this was. lol

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the original post is old but the op was helpful in answering my question recently. I plan on speaking to a lactation specialist at the hospital once there. I can see what you mean though. I asked my doctor and he was pretty vague on the topic. (not his specialty right :) ) Last thing I want is to harm my babe. I made it to a year which is great.