Dear Laura

What an incredibly difficult situation.

I am NOT a breast surgeon, but I would imagine that no breastfeeding will take place if that left breast is going to be operated on. And any future breastfeeding possibility is compromised.

A 17-month old is still very young and with all the recent trauma this family is going through, probably not ready to wean yet. (imagine if this child was going to breastfeed till 3 or 4 years, she's only halfway at this point)

The mother is also grieving the loss of the other breast, in part her femininity, and continuing to breastfeed would offer some emotional healing, not to mention possibly affect her own child's future breast cancer risk.

I have a family member currently diagnosed with breast cancer requiring a mastectomy and the surgeon told her that she can expect a two week recovery period. I was quite shocked and had to talk to this family member to give her a more realistic idea of recovery (minimum 6 weeks). When a lump is removed from the breast the area is tender for at least 2 or 3 weeks afterwards. Breast reduction and breast removals are both big surgeries. Sometimes the specialists are far removed from the practical realities that the patient faces at home. Weaning when it happens not at nature's pace is traumatic for both the mother and the child.

I hope the mother can make her (very difficult) decision based on more education and information and not just the cost and cosmetic aspects.

Regards
Dr Rahmat Bagus

-----Original Message-----
From: Lactation Information and Discussion <[log in to unmask]> On Behalf Of Laura L ópez Fuentes
Sent: Tuesday, April 9, 2024 11:36 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Breast reduction surgery during breastfeeding

Hello all of you from Spain,

First of all, sorry about my English.

I want to ask you about your experience with breast reduction surgery during breastfeeding.

A breastfeeding mother had breast cancer and a total mastectomy on her right breast. She has an expander in her right breast now.

She is now having the final implant placed in her right breast and her surgeon has proposed reduction surgery on her left breast to make them more symmetrical.  Her left breast is larger than the breast size she will have with the implant in her right breast. That is why the surgeon, and the woman as well, wants to do the reduction surgery on the left breast.

The woman is breastfeeding her 17-month-old baby from the left breast and does not want to stop breastfeeding now. 
Surgeon proposes surgery for May. 
She is going to ask to have it delayed so that she has more time to find out about other options or to wean more quietly.

For insurance reasons the woman cannot postpone the surgery on the left breast and has to have both surgeries (left and right breasts) done at the same time.

Do you have experience with breast reduction surgery during breastfeeding?
If it is possible doing this kind of surgery during breastfeeding, which kind of surgery technic is better for breastfeeding?

I know it's a difficult situation and may be the answer is "it's impossible" but I need to know all the possibilities.

Thanks in advance.

Best regards,

Un saludo,

Laura López Fuentes
IBCLC L-300239
MATERNANZA, lactancia materna
Consultas de lactancia materna a domicilio en Lugo y Zamora https://maternanza.wixsite.com/maternanza
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Tlf: +34 646 536 305
Coordinadora Formación eCrianza
https://ecrianza.com/
Socia de AELAMA
https://aelama.org
Socia de AECCLM
https://ibclc.es

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