Breast Surgery

I had a breast reduction 15 years ago, and the procedure was the same as you described. I have since had 2 children. I was not able to breastfeed my oldest because my milk never came in. I did get milk with my second child, but chose not to breastfeed for other reasons.

Breastfeeding is a wonderful thing...especially for a preemie. However, don't let anyone make you feel guilty for not breastfeeding. It's a personal choice. Modern formulas are also wonderful, and will give your child everything he/she needs to thrive. My girls are now almost 8 and 5 years old, and they never get sick.

When I had my surgery, I was told I would have a 50/50 chance of breastfeeding, and that's exactly what I experienced. It doesn't sound like breastfeeding is working too well for you anyway, so you probably won't be any worse-off after the surgery.

As far as sensation, I have some, but it's minimal. I still say the surgery is the best thing I ever did. I'm completely happy with the results. I'm so much more comfortable, and it did wonders for my self esteem.

By the way, my sister has the same "imbalance" that you do, so I know exactly what you've dealt with over the years. Nobody can tell in clothing, but being her annoying little sister, it gave me something to tease my otherwise-perfect big sis about. Hopefully, you didn't have an annoying sibling such as myself. If so, I apologize on their behalf!! :)

Good luck to you!

My reduction was almost 19 years ago (that's so hard to believe!) and I was unable to nurse my first child, born 18 months after the surgery, but was able to nurse my second, born 4.5 years later yesterday. However, even with the 2nd child, there was not a lot of milk production. We don't know if it was b/c of the surgery or for other reasons.

As far as sensation, like others have said, it was gone for a time, but it did come back. I still find the sensitivity changing as my hormones change throughout the month and occasionally have one nipple more sensitive than the other. If anything, it just becomes a silly moment in intimacy, so it's definitely not problematic, especially when you compare it to life pre-surgery. :)

Go to www.lalecheleague.org or www.breastfeeding.com - they should have some information on breast surgery and hopefully some advice on a type of surgery that can leave the ducts to the nipple intact. Something else was probably going on during your first breastfeeding experience as frequent feedings in the correct circumstances would only cause your breast to produce more milk, not less. One breast can feed one child (women breastfeed twins), especially a preemie's needs. I hope that your surgery goes well and you are able to find a way to do the reduction (or perhaps, consider leaving the larger breast as it is - having a C & D may be a lot easier to deal with than a D and less than A??) without loosing the ability to breastfeed. If you do have another child and wish to breastfeed, please be sure to seek out a certified lactation specialists as she will be able to help you in the best way! Best wishes!

J.

Hi, One of my co-workers who is in here 20's got a breast reduction and was able to breast feed with her next child. She was soo happy. Plus her back was alot better.

I had a breast reduction in my early twenties (I'm 33 now). I had my nipples removed just like you described. I did lose sensation for awhile, maybe a year or so but it came back. I did not attempt to breastfeed because I was told I probably would not be able to. Good luck with your surgery.

I personally have not had the surgery but my friend did. She just had a baby boy in november and she was able to breast feed for quite some time.

I had a breast reduction in 1998. I still have sensation in the nipples. I had my first child in February '07 and was able to breastfeed him, as well. One breast produced more milk (coincidentally it was my smaller breast). I stopped breastfeeding at 6 weeks because I was physically unable to keep up with his demand. I do believe had I not returned to work so quickly, we would still be breastfeeding. Just wanted to let you know that it is possible.

hi S. i have kinds the same problem but i dont think mine is as bad as yours. My right breast is actually a bit smaller then the left its obviouse if i do not have a bra on but not so much is i have a bra. I always have to buy extemly padded or push up bras. I wear a A cup. I would LOVE to get it corrected but will never have the money. I am glad you get the chance! let me know how it goes ok!

I had breast augmentation, or implants. I had it done after my second. I didn't and don't intend on having anymore children. My docotor told me if I did I might not be able to breast feed. I had trouble with it with my children that it wasn't that big a deal to me. Before surgery I didn't have much sensation in my nipples and now they have so much that my partner can bearly rub on them and I fell it(if you know what I mean I don't want to get to infromative) I have never had any problem with them and I have had them over a year now. It sounds like you had problems breast feeding anyways that you might not be able to do it after the surgery either. Formulas have come a long way and thats what I ended up using with both my children and they are almost 2 and 3 1/2 and they did formula very well. I say you need to except that you won't breast feed after the surgery that way if you can't you won't be dissapointed. If you can then good for you. I say if this surgery makes you feel better outside then go for it. You will have more selfesteem trust me. I was a full c before children grew to a full d while pregnant and after my pregnacies I went to bearly an a. I remember trying on a bra and I stood in the dressing room for about 20 minutes crying. After that I did the surgery and I feel like myself again. I am a full d because that is what I grew to while preganant and I wanted to fill the skin. If you have anymore questions on implants and surgery let me know. O one question is why are you getting a reduction on the other side? You are so use to that size that you might not like going smaller. Just a thought. Good luck.

I had breast reduction surgery almost two years ago. I have sensation in my nipples, just not as intense. It's kinda like the sensitivity in the palm of our hand compared to the inside of your elbow (with elbow being pre-surgery). There is still sensation, it just takes more pressure to feel it. For a few months afterward the sensation would come back at odd times and often not in sync. I'd be in line at the grocery store and one nipple would be alert and feeling things and the other would have no idea. I started wearing gauze pads in my bra until that calmed down casue it was embarassing.

I have not been pregnant since my surgery, so I can't help with that aspect. You will not lose your nipples though. It sounds scary, but rarely happens.