Hi beautiful ladiesI was diagnosed with polucentric dcis and I am booked in to have a double mastectomy and immediate reconstruction next week. What should I expect? How is recovery? What should I be prepared for? How were your feelings? Xxx

Depends on how it's done.I had a bilateral reduction skin sparing mastectomy with immediate tissue expanders inserted and filled to 300mls with a matrix sling. I've just had my changeover to permanent implants (photos on breast reconstruction group) My nipples weren't saved. I had 1 x 100ml fill after chemo and prior surgery (each side)I found it did take 6 weeks to recover from. I was quite weak in the arms, couldn't push or pull (or even turn handles for a few days ) due to weakness. By 6 weeks though it was good. The changeover was quite simple with minimal pain for me. Beeding a stay in 48 hours fir IV antibiotics only.It can be done straight to implant it just depends on surgeon and possible treatment needs. I was very teary leading up to surgery but relieved to be rid of the cancer. The changeover lead up brought those feelings back up but feeling much more positive now and certainly comfortable with my appearance, which I was from the initial surgery. It looked much better than I imagined.Anything else just ask. Kath x

Hello El.mumof2, I had multifocal HER2+ and had a double mastectomy 2015.What to expect, depends on your surgery and how the actual operation is done. My surgeon put slow release pain pellets in my operation sites; that way I didn't need to take any oral pain relief at all - fantastic for me, the pellets dissolved slowly over about 6 weeks, so I didn't have any pain at all, this also helped with recovery time, perhaps a little tingling and /or odd sensations in my upper arms when the pellets were wearing off.After the drainage tubes were removed from both sides I did have to have a bit of drainage done with a syringe for a few weeks.I felt at the time of the diagnosis of cancer (2nd time for me) was overwhelming, so much to take in all at once, so many thoughts/concerns going through your mind, sometimes keeping you awake at night, sometimes causing you to cry or get angry for no apparent reason; these things are all normal, we have all been through it at some stage in our journey. The option of the double mastectomy was my decision I had no second thoughts at all.I found that taking 1 day at a time (easier to say than do), does really help. Accept as much help as anyone will offer you and don't feel bad about it. Be open & honest with anyone that asks if they ask you what they can do to help - tell them, if you want help say so, if you don't then also say so.Also talking to anyone and everyone that has or is going through cancer treatment is also really really helpful, as the only people that truly understand are the people that are in the same boat as you.As for little things that are tricky post surgery: drying/showering yourself with drainage tubes in; remembering to carry your drainage bags with you wherever you go

Thanks ladies , you sound so strong I really hope I can cope like you did .I am having the implants put in straight away .The slow release pellets sound great I will be asking by surgeon for them.I totally agree i feel more comfortable talking to people with cancer .I am trying to organise all my helpers I have 2 kids under 2 and my partner is having chemo and radiation at the moment so it's all happening . I'm very scared and stressed and want this to be over as soon as possible xxx

You have every reason to feel all those things. Don't forget the cancer council helpline might be able to assist with practical stuff like cleaners etc also. Worth calling them. You guy's deserve as much help as you can get. Take care. X

Im 5 weeks post single mastectomy diep flap recon. Took 7hrs but different to what youre having as mine involved a tummy tuck. First 2 weeks was hard but now am loving it! I was a mess leading into it so spoke with my psych from 3yrs ago. It was the best thing i could have done. I had so many emotions but honestly once i did it i havent thought about it since.

Booked for mastectomy and reconstruction now what

15 Replies

Elmumof2
Member
9 years ago
I'm very happy you like your newest reconstruction and that your medical team was so good it does make a big difference @nikkid A farewell party what a great idea @primek that looks like fun :) and I loved the poem , it's exactly how I feel so spot on . I still cannot believe I'm having a mastectomy in 4 days
primek
Member
9 years ago
This might work. Had posted poem in creative corner.

https://us.v-cdn.net/6027212/uploads/editor/gr/ufxg5iw6w8ix.docx
primek
Member
9 years ago
@El.mumof2 . Why would it seem silly?. Our breasts are a huge part of us becoming women. When they grew, our first bra, our first sexual experience. Feeding our babies. Feeling sexy. Yes they are not us ...but they most certainly are important to us. I had a farewell boobie party and wrote a poem. My husband was a little funny about it ...saw it as morbid but came, as did my teenage boys. I dressed up with the girls right out on show. It marked an end. I hope to at some stage have a "coming out" party for my reconstructed ones once all complete. My party was called Dolly's Parting. Everyone was handed one of my bras to put on as they arrived.

Hopefully the other is my poem attached.
nikkid
Member
9 years ago
Hi Ellie, @El.mumof2 I have always loved my breasts too - next to my eyes, they were the favourite part of the physical 'me'. They breast fed my two boys and were just lovely!

And then when I had my mastectomy and insertion of the tissue expander, my left breast looked like a wrinkled prune...even when it was most expanded (I think the aeroform expander leaked a lot). So although I got used to looking at it, I never liked it. And I would 'hide' it from my hubby.

Well, about 10 days ago I had the DIEP Reconstruction - using the flesh from my lower tummy to build a new breast. And I LOVE it! I am so proud of it - it looks real, it's soft and warm...and although it doesn't have a nipple (and it is numb) I keep showing my husband to let him know how it's healing. He agrees how natural it looks too. Things have certainly changed in terms of how I view my breast (and my now very flat tummy).

I still miss the original me....but the last 12 months has been a journey of more than the physical and I'm much happier with the new 'me'.

I am so pleased you feel like you've found a surgeon you're comfortable with - nothing more important than having a team you trust, who listens to you and who has the expertise to be able to deliver your vision for the new future.

My team - from GP to breast surgeon, breastcare nurse, oncologist, gynaecologist and plastic surgeon - have been AMAZING.

Thinking of you Nikki xxx
Elmumof2
Member
9 years ago
Thanks Paula , just read throught the sheet lots of useful tips :) I didn't realise till now how much I love my breasts , it might sound silly to other people but they have always made me feel confident and sexy and I loved breastfeeding my kids for 22 months I would still be if I didn't get diagnosed .People say oh who cares at least you won't have cancer , yes but I ll be missing a part of my body and nothing will feel the same. It's good to know you coped well and were happy with your reconstruction :) Ellie xxx
mum2jj
Member
9 years ago
Hi El.mumof2,
I had one delayed and one immediate reconstruction at the same time (lived with one boob for a while.) Mine was a bilateral TRAM flap and was a 9 hour surgery. The first few days were tough, but there are plenty of pain meds etc. My recovery was a good 6 weeks, and then I went back to part time work... I am on my feet quite a bit though. There is a great little resource sheet put together by tips from the choosing breast reconstruction group and reclaim your curves members with heaps of tips that you might like to look at. Don't panic and think you need to do it all though, it just might give you some ideas. I think I coped quite well with my original mastectomy, I don't know if that is because I always wanted a reconstruction. I do miss the old girls in some ways, especially the sensation. However they were trying to kill me so I know I am better without them. I am glad you have found a surgeon you are comfortable with,
Hugs
Paula xx
Elmumof2
Member
9 years ago
Thanks Cath , I saw 3 surgeons and luckily the last one seems so much better! I'm so stressed about everything but at least the surgery is booked and no more waiting around xxx
socoda
Member
9 years ago
@El.mumof2 that is soooooo fantastic!!! So much better for you. And how wonderful that you are going in so quickly. Yayyyyyyyyy you for not just putting up with an enforced time frame. Be very proud of yourself because its hard to take charge when your scared and unsure and you have an expert telling you to wait. Excellent. Big big hug Xx Cath
Elmumof2
Member
9 years ago
So good to hear you are doing very well only 5 weeks after your surgery @melclarity .I am thinking about getting in contact witg the social worker provided by the cancer council for a talk , I am too the type that needs to get stuff of my chest . @socoda I ended up finding an ongoplastic locally (wollongong) that booked me in for next week and seems very caring and enthusiastic .
socoda
Member
9 years ago
Hi El.mumof2, is your surgery at Auburn?