IS BREAST-FEEDING POSSIBLE AFTER REDUCTION MAMMAPLASTY

The purpose of this study was (1) to evaluate the frequency of breast feeding in patients who had given birth following reduction mammaplasty using an inferiorly based pedicle flap and (2) to identify operative and nonoperative factors that may affect breast feeding following reduction mammaplasty. Seventy-three patients between the ages of 18 and 40 years were contacted and sent a standardized questionnaire. Data collected included age at pregnancy, duration of breast feeding, difficulties while breast feeding, and reasons for discontinuing breast feeding. A total of 20 patients of the 68 who responded had become pregnant following reduction mammaplasty. All 20 women lactated. Seven of these women (35 percent) went on to breast-feed successfully, whereas 13 (65 percent) decided not to breast-feed or discontinued breast feeding for a variety of personal reasons.