Breastfeeding...

[Guest guest]

I read about someone getting a pregnancy test. Well, I'm not

pregnant, but I do have another issue... I have a 13 month old I am

breastfeeding and am scheduled for surgery in 3 weeks, upper and

lower, btw.

Now, I am 30 years old, in perfect health, and always follow my

doctor's order's, but my OS's nurse was very upset about this. I am

taking every precaution I can imagine. I have milk stored and have

a hospital grade pump for while I am in the hospital (if I feel up

to it). I have given birth three times and never used pain

medicine. I usually tolerate it very well. I know this is going to

be different, but I am trying to prepare myself so that I will not

need a lot of medicine.

The only thing that even concerns me about it is that I need to get

enough nutrition to support us both. Well, he actually doesn't need

to nurse very often, just when he goes to bed. He is mostly eating

from the table. See, he was a preemie and came unexpectedly during

the time I was trying to finish my thesis for school. We bond

immediately and though I was still in school, he ended up going to

classes with me in a sling while I finished my finals. We have been

inseparable since his birth. To make him stop nursing before he is

ready would just be very upsetting.

Now, I am dealing with the fact that some difficulty may come up

that would prevent me from continuing, and there is always the

possibility that he may not want to nurse after I get home. That I

can understand.

A different issue that has been really bothering me lately is that I

am afraid of looking worse. Everyone tells me that I shouldn't have

this surgery and it will mess up my face. I think I am pretty, and

I worry that I will have a nice bite, but end up with an ugly face

This may just be an irrational moment I am having... but I do think

about it.

Anyway, thanks for listening!

Cathy

[Guest guest]

I think you'd be wise to get some advice on the breastfeeding from

Shiloh, in addition, of course, to getting your surgeon's

instructions. She's not a doc, but she did have surgery while

breastfeeding, if I'm not mistaken.

I do remember that the surgeon did not use steroids on her, because

they would have gone into the milk. And I think she, like you, had

stored milk, and that her child resumed breastfeeding post-op.

You are wise to be concerned about maintaining adequate nutrition.

Are you gonna be wired? That is definitely a question for your

surgeon and/or his nurse. It will be much easier for you if wiring is

not necessary.

As for fear of the changing face... How much movement of what do you

expect. I had very little change in appearance, but then I only had

movement 5 mm forward and 3 sideways, and that only of the lower.

Some people do have major changes, and it sometimes takes a while to

get used to that new face in the mirror. Most, though, find that the

function is so much improved that they are pleased; and most are

pleased with the eventual outcome, as well -- although sometimes it

takes a while for the swelling to go down and things to sort

themselves out.

There's a lot that's irrational about all of this, at least from the

patient's point of view. And why not? It's a big step. But most

often, it's a positive one.

Best,

Cammie

>

> I read about someone getting a pregnancy test. Well, I'm not

> pregnant, but I do have another issue... I have a 13 month old I am

> breastfeeding and am scheduled for surgery in 3 weeks, upper and

> lower, btw.

>

> Now, I am 30 years old, in perfect health, and always follow my

> doctor's order's, but my OS's nurse was very upset about this. I

am

> taking every precaution I can imagine. I have milk stored and have

> a hospital grade pump for while I am in the hospital (if I feel up

> to it). I have given birth three times and never used pain

> medicine. I usually tolerate it very well. I know this is going

to

> be different, but I am trying to prepare myself so that I will not

> need a lot of medicine.

>

> The only thing that even concerns me about it is that I need to get

> enough nutrition to support us both. Well, he actually doesn't

need

> to nurse very often, just when he goes to bed. He is mostly eating

> from the table. See, he was a preemie and came unexpectedly during

> the time I was trying to finish my thesis for school. We bond

> immediately and though I was still in school, he ended up going to

> classes with me in a sling while I finished my finals. We have

been

> inseparable since his birth. To make him stop nursing before he is

> ready would just be very upsetting.

>

> Now, I am dealing with the fact that some difficulty may come up

> that would prevent me from continuing, and there is always the

> possibility that he may not want to nurse after I get home. That I

> can understand.

>

> A different issue that has been really bothering me lately is that

I

> am afraid of looking worse. Everyone tells me that I shouldn't

have

> this surgery and it will mess up my face. I think I am pretty, and

> I worry that I will have a nice bite, but end up with an ugly face

>

> This may just be an irrational moment I am having... but I do think

> about it.

>

> Anyway, thanks for listening!

> Cathy