After Surgery

oh @shann what a roller coaster of problems .... I had a double mastectomy back in 2012 and I didnt chose reconstruction.
I hope this surgery is straight forward with no problems afterwards for you. 
gentle hugs and let us know how you are going 
Soldier crab

@shann, what a bloody awful time you're having. I had reductions 3 years ago and was so happy with the results ( fortunate not to have any post op complications) until of course they let me down. It's a big decision to have the mastectomies but it is your decision and yours alone. Do I regret it, some days yes but I'm still early days getting used to my flat chestedness. But mostly I feel confident in the decision I made to reduce further risk. Best wishes for the 16th. Hug hug and hugs. Xxx

@shann wishing you all the best with your surgery and healing. Let us know how you're going. Big hug lovely. Xx

You can go back for an expander reconstruction later if no issues with your mastectomies but you need to heal well first. It is not something that has to be decided right now. I do hope things will improve really soon for you. Kath x

Hi all and thank you for your replies.  Sorry its taken a while to reply I have had internet issues.  Well I am still on 3 days a week dressing changes and went and saw my surgeon and his team 2 weeks ago tomorrow.  Spoke to him about double mesectomy and am doing it on the 16 Jan.  No reconstruction at all as I am unable to due to problems with the healing and openings.  Had another horrible experience with the nurses again at the hospital this time letting some gauze dry on wound and when removing it was ripped and by xmas day had another haematoma on the left breast which did pop and come away, during this time I have had to go back to panadol and ibuprofen 4 hourly which I wasn't on previously.  I just can't win!  So now just continuing to have dressings 3 days a week until the surgery by blue care as I never want to go back to the nurses at the hospital and I did tell them this.  Thank god I have financial support from my parents at this stage.  I am just hoping that after the surgery things will be normal ........ fingers crossed !

Hi @shann, firstly, no wonder you are feeling low.  That's awful to have deal with and the hot weather will be making things more uncomfortable for you. 
I am 4 weeks post bilateral mastectomies and am AMAZED at how good I am and how quickly. I had my lumpectomy and nodes out back in April then 5 months of chemo. I had some issues post lumpectomy with cording, numbness down arm and lots of nerve pain and discomfort. This improved a lot after chemo finished in September as I think the tissue finally was able to heal properly. 
I have not had reconstruction. And don't intend to have reconstruction. I am THRILLED with the outcome of my surgery. It looks so much better than I thought it would. Fabulously flat not puckered and lumpy like the pictures I googled!  I'd had a reduction 3 years ago and my surgeon just followed the scars. I'm lucky I don't carry any weight so I think that helps too. I recovered really quickly only taking panadol by day 3 post op. That's when my drains came out. Because no nodes out it has been far less painful. Feel free to ask me anything you like...
Bec xxx 

Is healing likely to be an issue if you have the double?

I’m 2 1/2 weeks post a double without reconstruction. I’ve just started going without the soft forms and bra while at home. The surgery and healing haven’t been an issue. I’ve developed some cording due to lymph node removal on the right side. The tightness across my chest has subsided significantly while doing the stretches. Sleeping can be problematic due to limited positions but I suspect this is already an issue for you currently.

If it’s definitely something you want, I would talk to your surgeon about it. Jen xx. 

Oh, that's not good at all that it's got worse.  As @Zoffiel mentioned, if that's what you really want, then talk to your surgeon. I had bilateral mastectomy in July, and glad I did take that option due to certain reasons, however it has not been all smooth sailing, hence lots of operations, but I'm almost done and so happy now. It's such a huge decision - I did do the expanders implant route, so can't advise on the non reconstruction but I'm sure there's lots of wonderful ladies on here that will be able to advise you. Hope you feel better this week. Xxx

@Flaneuse good luck with your appointment this week, hope all goes well for you xx

If you were seriously thinking of having  a double, restart that conversation. If this is just a rough patch and you are eventually going to have a good cosmetic outcome it's probably worth persisting. If, like many of us, you feel you are never going to trust those tits again it may be time to have a look at other options. Marg xxx

@shann What a rough time you're having. Poor you. I'm new to all this and am waiting for my first consultation with surgeon in two days' time. I can't offer any advice, except to suggest that once you've decided what matters most to you, explain that to your surgeon. I agree with @Caseypinto that Netflix is a great distraction. If you don't have it, ask friends to subscribe for you as a gift. Hugs. x