I'm with Laurie on this one. A biopsy can be done on a lactating breast without weaning. I had one done when I was nursing a 2 month old. It was a 24 hour stay in 1971. I nursed right up to the pre-op meds were given and again as soon as I was back in my room.

The surgeon reported no problem, not a tumor, just a gigantic plugged duct - remnant of taking on my niece for 3 days, 2 wks earlier when my SIL went to the hospital with PPH 2 wks after delivery. Then she came home and resumed nursing her daughter. So I developed a lump almost the size of a duck egg. Surgeon tried aspiration and got nothing, so I was sent for a biopsy. Surgeon said they had more trouble with leaking milk than with blood.. hahaha   I was not laughing with him.

Anyway, he placed a drain tube pointing away from my nipple and I had to carefully change the dressing daily, or more often, I can't remember now. It did not interfere with nursing, but it was half way between my nipple and the axilla area, about 9:00 location on R.breast if you were looking at me. Scar is about 1.5" long.

I've read other posts about biopsies on lactating breasts and the consensus on this list was the leaking milk, being a living antibiotic tissue, aided healing without the usual dry itching you feel on an incision.

My recommendation: ask the surgeon to make his incision, if possible, radially, like a spoke pointing away from the nipple, on the idea it will do less damage to duct work and glandular tissue.

Phyllis

---- laurie wheeler <[log in to unmask]> wrote: 
> Hi Theresa
> I don't think she has to wean for the biopsy. If she can nurse, or express,
> immediately before (or as close as possible). there may be some leaking
> post-biopsy, and pain, and she may have to express. If she chooses to wean,
> that's another story, and should be supported. If the biopsy reveals a need
> for some surgery, that's another story too.
> I don't think she can do a complete weaning at this point, with an
> exclusively and thriving bf baby. If the biopsy is in a day, it will be
> hard. She cannot take anti-galactagogues like sage or other becoz that would
> dry up the other side too. So the best bet is probably cold cabbage leaves
> continuously or just cold packs and express minimally to avoid engorgement.
> I think this will be more problematic than continuing the milk supply on
> that side pending results to see what exactly will need to be done.
> Hope this helps somewhat.
> Laurie Wheeler, RN, MN, IBCLC
> MISSISSIPPI USA
> 
 
--
Phyllis Adamson, IBCLC, RLC
Glendale, AZ.
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