Breast-Feeding After Breast Surgery
Topic Overview
Women who have had breast implants or surgery to remove cysts or
benign (noncancerous) lumps usually are able to
breast-feed.
Women who have had surgery to make their breasts smaller (breast
reduction) may have trouble breast-feeding if the milk ducts were cut or
removed during surgery. These women may wish to consult their surgeons to
determine whether this is a problem. They also are encouraged to see a
lactation consultant before delivery. The consultant will then know to watch the mother
and baby closely.
A woman who has had surgery to treat breast cancer and who is
planning to become pregnant and breast-feed should discuss possible problems
with her cancer specialist (oncologist). Depending on the type of cancer and
the kind of treatment she had, she may still be able to breast-feed.
Credits
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By
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Healthwise Staff |
|
Primary Medical Reviewer
|
Sarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine |
|
Specialist Medical Reviewer
|
Kirtly Jones, MD, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology |
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Last Revised
|
April 14, 2011 |
Last Revised:
April 14, 2011