While paging through my husband's September, 1999 issue of the
magazine "Maxim", I came across an interview that had been done with
the actress, Pamela Anderson.  In the interview, Pamela talks about her
recent "downsizing". As you may have heard, she has had her breast
implants reduced from a D cup to a C cup.  Also included in the article
was some discussion of Pamela's 2 small children.  This got me to
thinking, how has all this breast surgery affected her ability to
breastfeed?  Literature I have found on this topic is not real clear.  In
one article, it states that 0-70% of women are able to lactate after
breast augmentation surgery (Widdice, 1993).  Bell & Rawlings, 1998 state
that previous breast surgery may or may not affect lactation due to the
fact that surgery often displaces the ductal system and destroys
innervation.  Also reported that the ability to breastfeed is dependent on
the type of surgical procedure done and that many times, women are not
thinking of breastfeeding at the time they make the decision to have
surgery (Hansson & Locklin, 1999).  I also researched plastic surgery
and was unable to find any kind of information about what kind of surgical
procedures will destroy the ability to breastfeed.  I was wondering if
anyone out there has any experience or advice to share on this topic.  It
would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks!


        Rachael M, Student Nurse
        College of Nursing, University of North Dakota

        James, B. (1999).  Keeping it Real.  Maxim for Men, pp 174-180.

        Widdice, L. (1993).  The Effects of Breast Reduction and Breast
Augmentation Surgery on Lactation.  Journal of Human Lactation, 9(3), pp
161-167.

        Hansson, M. & Locklin, M. (1999).  Home Visits: Strategies to
Protect the Breastfeeding Newborn at Risk.  Journal of Obstetric,
Gynecologic and Neonatal Nursing, 28(1), pp 33-40.

        Bell, K. & Rawlings, N. (1998).  Promoting Breastfeeding by
Managing Common Lactation Problems.  American Journal of Primary Health
Care, 23(6), pp 102-106.

             ***********************************************
The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM)
mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html