Condition
Breast reduction surgery
The potential problem
Surgical reduction of the breasts can damage nerves and milk-producing ducts and glands, making breastfeeding difficult.
Can I breastfeed?
Most likely. If your nipple and areola are still attached to the breast tissue beneath them, there's a good chance you'll be able to nurse. However, if the nipple was removed and then placed on a reconstructed breast, damage to the nerves (which stimulate the release of hormones that are necessary for milk production and letdown), milk ducts, and breast tissue may limit your milk flow and diminish sensation in your nipples.
In general, breast reduction surgery is more likely than breast augmentation to interfere with nursing.
Solution
You won't know the extent of any nerve damage until you try nursing. Ask a lactation expert for guidance and support. On the third day postpartum, you can try pumping for five minutes on each breast after every nursing session to help bring more milk in. It's likely that you'll need to use a fully automated pump that pumps both breasts at once to stimulate your letdown reflex.
Let your baby's doctor know about your surgery. She'll need to keep a close eye on your baby's weight gain to make sure he's getting enough to eat. (Learn how to tell if your baby's getting enough milk.)
If you're able to produce only part of the milk your baby needs, you might consider using a Supplemental Nursing System (SNS) to boost your baby's milk intake. The device consists of a plastic pouch to hold breast milk or formula and attached thin, flexible tubes that run down the breasts to each nipple. Since your baby takes both nipple and tube into his mouth when he suckles, he benefits from all the breast milk that's available. For more information, call Medela at (800) 435-8316.
If you're thinking about having your breasts reduced but want to nurse your baby, postpone surgery until after you've given birth and nursed your last child.
source from http://www.babycenter.com
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