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It all depends, and only
time will tell. Milk production is a wonderful system of feedback based on
a baby sucking at the breast, and the successful removal of milk. There are
many nerves in the nipple area that are ready to deliver messages back and
forth about milk needs. If those nerves were severed in your breast
reduction surgery, then the chances of you being able to fully sustain your
baby at the breast are decreased. Some reduction surgery is designed to
deliberately avoid severing the nerves, and breastfeeding is generally more
successful in those cases.
If you had the kind of
surgery in which your nipples were completely detached and sewn back on
in a new location, then most likely those nerves were severed.
Oddly enough, some women
who have had this kind of breast reduction have had the nerves grow
back. There isn't any way to predict this however. Do you have any
feeling in your nipples? That would be a good sign.
I would encourage you to
find a good lactation consultant (preferably an International Board
Certified Lactation Consultant--IBCLC) to work with before and after
your baby is born. Find out as much as you can about your surgery, and
also about how breastfeeding is SUPPOSED to work. That will help you
identify how things are going early on, and you can monitor how things
are going. You may be able to partially breastfeed at least, and
supplement as necessary.
There is also an
internet mailing lists for moms like you - BFAR (Support and
Information for Breastfeeding after Reduction Surgery). For
information, or if you are interested in subscribing, please go to
www.magsi.com/liquidgold.
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