Last week I posted a breast implant survey to Lactnet, which unfortunately
didn't have any email address to reply to.  I have now managed to get a
response back to them, and received this reply to my concerns that
breastfeeding issues were not covered in the survey.  The reply I received
follows.  I am sure that many of you Lactnetters have clinical experience
with these issues that I am lacking.  Perhaps you would care to respond.


>To: [log in to unmask]
>From: [log in to unmask] (Lucille Tennant)
>Subject: breast implant survey
>X-Mailer: <Windows Eudora Version 2.0.2>
>Date: Sat, 30 Sep 1995 12:17:27 -0500
>Message-ID: <19950930171727448.AAA53@collin>
>
>Thank you for your comments on the survey.
>
>    I am in the pathology department at U.T. Houston and have to give a
>grand rounds (Oct 25th) and chose the subject of breast implants.  I am
>planning to focus on what pathologists need to know about implants - how to
>handle the specimens we receive in surgical pathology, how to look for
>silicone microscopically etc., but I also wanted to discuss, briefly, legal
>and social aspects.  I sent out the survey just to see if I could elicit any
>general information from the public, particularly breast implant recipients.
>It is just an informal anecdotal survey.
>    You are the only one so far who has sent a legitimate response.  Most
>responses have been along the lines of "this does not belong in this
>newsgroup", probably because the other responses I have gotten have been
>rather smutty.
>     At any rate, I especially appreciate your letter because I had
>inadvertently neglected the issue of breast feeding.  I certainly have come
>across the articles on milk content, etc., but had not heard of the problems
>you mention.
>     On Monday, when my computer expert can help me I do plan to add some
>questions about this.  In the meantime, I wonder how many women you've come
>across that breast feed after implants?  Do they all have the problems that
>you describe?  Were any unable to breast feed at all?
>     If you have time I would appreciate any comments on the following added
>questions.
>
>1.  What information did you receive about breastfeeding after implants?
>
>2.  How did you receive the information? (i.e. interview with doctor,
>consent form, manufacturer's insert/info form).
>
>3.  Have you attempted to breastfeed since receiving the implants?
>
>4.  If so, what has your experience been?
>    a. Had you breastfed before the implants? If so, is there any
>difference?  (Change in amount, difference in production,  change in
>sensation?).
>
>     Again, I appreciate any suggestions/comments/answers. I thank you for
>your past help and look forward to future information.
>
>
>Lucile B. Tennant, MD
>Dept. of Laboratory and Clinical Medicine
>University of Texas Health Sciences Center, Houston
>
>
Margaret K.K. Radcliffe               [log in to unmask]
Dept. of Mining & Minerals Engr.
Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA