Jay:  I had surgery for a biopsy on a lump that turned out to be a plugged duct
when my baby was just a couple of months old.  The hosp would not allow him to
be brought to my floor, so I had my last nursing with him in the lobby.
Generally, mom can nurse right up to her first pre-op meds, and can resume
nursing as soon as she is coherent, and able to sit up and hold her baby.
(That's when I started pumping & sending milk home since I wasn't to be
discharged until the next day, complete with drain tube.  I know, long hosp
stay.  But it was 25 years ago.)  This has been the consistent experience among
moms I know who have had in-hosp surgery, outpatient surgery, or dental work
with anesthesia.
I do think your client deserves a little more respect than she appears to be
receiving.  It is my belief that the anesthesiologist normally makes a personal
visit to the patient in the hosp prior to pre-op meds, to introduce himself,
verify her history, explain what he is to do during surgery, get her autograph
on 3 dozen forms, etc.  The powers that be should have some sort of schedule to
know who is on call that day.  If she is not satisfied with the answers he
provides, even 30 minutes before surgery, she can refuse to sign the docs until
she does get satisfactory answers.  Being on MediCal doesn't make her less
important than full pay patients. IMO.

Phyllis Adamson, BA, IBCLC
Prvt Prac - Glendale, AZ
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