Forum Discussion
Bilateral Mastectomy - please share your experiences and views.
I am planning on having a prophylactic bilateral mastectomy in the next few weeks. I have previously posted in the category of issues with dense breasts and ongoing surveillance. Thank you to all of you who responded to that.
I have HER2+/ ER+/ PR- breast cancer. I was diagnosed in September last year and have very dense breasts. I have already undergone a lumpectomy and have just finished chemo with taxane. The sentinel lymph nodes were clear so I will not need to have any more lymph nodes removed.
i have read all the previous posts relating to bilateral mastectomy and spoken to the breast surgeon. While she does not think I need a bilateral mastectomy, she is happy to do the procedure.
i have read all the previous posts relating to bilateral mastectomy and spoken to the breast surgeon. While she does not think I need a bilateral mastectomy, she is happy to do the procedure.
I would be extremely grateful if anyone can tell me about their experience after having a bilateral mastectomy with regards to hospital stay, any issues, infections or complications.
Can one manage alone at home post surgery.
How long did you have to keep the drains, is it easy to manage the drains.
Any other significant issues days, months or years after surgery.
Your responses will be much appreciated.
How long did you have to keep the drains, is it easy to manage the drains.
Any other significant issues days, months or years after surgery.
Your responses will be much appreciated.
21 Replies
- Thank you so much @jintie.
- @PV123 Yes. I was still classified as a hospital patient.
i was with Cabrini - https://www.cabrini.com.au/patients-and-families/services/directory/hospital-in-the-home - I will contact the breast care nurse tomorrow, thank you @jintie and @irb-03..
Did the health fund pay for the nurse visits @jintie? - Talk to the nurses when you have your surgery, or the breast care nurse, if there is one, they may be able to help with suggestions
- I went through the private health system and had nurses visiting me everyday until the drain came out (the last one came out at day 24).
- Maybe I should have gone through the public system, hopefully I can manage the drains by myself.
- @PV123 i went through public hospital system and was visited by the Breast Care Nurse who provided me lots of information and support. I certainly didn't feel competent with the drains by myself and was very glad the community nurses came daily including the weekend.
- Thank you @Ahnn. My surgery is in the second week of February, I saw the surgeon and asked her if there is any help available after going home because my husband will be away at work all day and all my friends work as well. She did not mention about the community nurse and told me that I would be able to manage the drains myself.Did you go through the public system? I would like to have someone come and help me with the drains, I guess if I get stuck then I will call the hospital.
- Hello @PV123. I had bilateral mastectomy in August 2019 following lumpectomy results of IDC in left breast and extensive DCIS in the right. Overnight in the hospital, most bandages off next morning to enable showering and home just after lunch with 2 drains in. Community nurses attended daily for 5 days to check drains and drains out on day 5. I agree, put things lower on shelves, get someone else to hang out washing. Take it as easy as you can. Sleeping on my back was uncomfortable so i used 2 horseshoe pillows to try and at least sleep on an angle with another pillow behind my back. Best of luck for surgery
- Thank you JeanineG, glad to know you are doing well.
