Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Breastfeeding and getting lapband??



Recommended Posts

I am currently breastfeeding my almost 4 month daughter.

I am seriously considering lapband. I know there is a 6 month process to go through before getting it done (per my insurance) and was wondering how this all worked out for everyone else? Or if anyone has been in my shoes.

How does the sleep study work out when you have a baby that needs to nurse all night?

I need this surgery for my health. I know I am putting a horrible strain on my heart and I want to be here for my children. I am 268 pounds and 5'2" tall. I gained a bunch while pregnant but was obese when I got pregnant too.

And will losing weight too fast after the surgery harm my nursing baby?

Thanks in advance.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I think you should probably speak to your doctor. I did hear somewhere that going under anaesthetic can dry up your milk supply....but I am not sure.

Initially after surgery you eat very little and are on clear fluids only, I would think that would not be enough to maintain milk supply, but i would only be guessing.

How are you going with feeding. I had my first son weighing in at 147 (328 pounds) kilos, I found feeding so hard and he would fall asleep coz my boobs were so heavy for him. I ended up expressing and fed via bottle, it was very hard. i am now 18 weeks pregnant and 40 kilos (88 pounds) lighter than last pregnancy....I hope the weight loss helps with feeding this time around. :rolleyes:

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Nursing has never been an issue for me. Milk supply, well I have enough for an army. Not worried in the least about that. I've had surgery before while breastfeeding and never noticed a drop in milk production whatsoever.

Asking my dr. isn't really going to help. Most dr's are so clueless as to breastfeeding in general and cases like this they just really have no clue. I was thinking maybe someone else had personal experience with this. Going to look at your link. Thank you!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I was banded while bf my son. I didn't do a sleep study so that wasn't an issue. I pumped before the surgery, didn't take any of the pain meds and was able to resume feeding him the next day.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

If you have a strong milk supply, you can always prepump for the time after anesthesia and just pump and dump what you have after for a short time.

I am not an expert, but really I don't think that the band is much of an issue if you are getting sufficient calories and a healthy variety of foods. You will most likely not have much restriction during the first couple of months and you are also working with your doctor to find the right level of restriction for you.

I think the only difficult time may be the first couple of weeks after banding while you are on liquids. You may be OK during this time . . . or if you are concerned you could probably supplement with formula and dump breast milk not used.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Just a funny to add to my story... my son was 4 months old when I had the surgery. As soon as I came to after surgery my boobs were ready to explode! They hurt so bad I felt like a zombie as I stumbled down the hallway to the bathroom and leaned over the sink to milk myself. I was so drugged up I don't even know if the milk was making it to the sink. =)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×