In a message dated 2/21/2005 3:48:44 P.M. Pacific Standard Time,  
[log in to unmask] writes:

Even  mothers who are in near starvation
situations make great breastmilk, and  their children grow and thrive.




What you may not understand is that in some cases, post  gastric bypass cause 
the patient to be near starvation, hence the huge weight  loss.  The gastric 
bypass patient must constantly be vigilant to the  supplementation of vitamins 
and minerals as the body is often unable to absorb  the nutrients.  For 
example:   When a "normal" person has to take an  iron supplement, that may be one 
tablet up to 3 times a day.  I have  known Gastric Bypass patients that must 
take up to 3 times that amount just  to absorb what someone else will absorb 
from lots less.  This is one of the  "risks" of gastric bypass.  Unfortunately 
many are so desperate to lose  weight, they are willing to deal with this 
"later".  Add to this the stress  of a pregnancy and later with breastfeeding, and 
that little prenatal vitamin is  nowhere near enough to supplement a gastric 
bypass patient.  I have cared  for many gastric bypass patients that are 
hospitalized on TPN because their  body's don't absorb nutrients.  In my own case, 
luckily this didn't happen,  however, I do know that my milk did suffer and my 
baby lost a lot of  weight...she was almost 2 mos old before she regained 
birth weight.  It was  not "other" breastfeeding issues...She had a wonderful 
latch from the getgo, I  never had cracked nipples, she gulped the milk in, had 
plenty of wet  diapers....but only one poop a week most of the time.  
Unfortunately the  issue of breastfeeding and pregnancy for that matter after gastric 
bypass is  going to be a quickly growing issue.  One that needs to be researched 
 fairly quickly.  There is almost no documentation anywhere on the  effects.  
Believe me I searched high and low.  I suggest that IBCLC's  everywhere study 
up on Gastric Bypass, the anatomy and physiology of the surgery  so that you 
may be able to teach proper nutrition etc to these women while they  are 
breastfeeding.  I agree whole heartedly that breast milk is still the  perfect 
food, but many times mom must be supplemented nutritionally during this  time in 
order to keep her own health intact and to keep her milk healthy.   Until there 
is more research done, and the issue is addressed, we will merely  flounder 
as we try to help these mothers and babies succeed.  
 
Renee Drake RN
Post Gastric Bypass Patient
IBCLC wannabe (still working on it)
 
 


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