Case of the sads before mastectomy
Hi everyone. Am about to have a mastectomy and reconstruction this Friday. DCIS everywhere is seems. Two failed lumpectomies so mastectomy it is. I have finally been crying my eyes out yesterday and t...
Forum Discussion
@ellendorf sorry I'm a bit late to the party (Vic teacher, so been busy returning to normal school!). I had a mastectomy with immediate implant reconstruction 4 months ago. It was on my right (dominant) side and I had 2 lymph nodes removed for biopsy.
Have they already biopsied any lymph nodes with your other surgeries. That scar and area has definitely been the most sensitive. However not just because of the lymph node, also because breast tissue extends towards your armpit, plus my titanium mesh (that holds the impant in place) is stitched onto the muscle there (and all around, but lots there).
I have put photos into into Choosing Reconstruction group and shared my story while it was fresh in my mind.
I ended up with skin thick enough to have my implant put over the muscle, not under as I'd expected. This has meant my recovery has been a little easier.
As it was my dominant hand, I had to adjust the way I do a lot of things. However by 3 weeks I could do the basics with my normal hand (wiping my bum took a bit longer as reaching either squished my armpit or my foob, lol). I am still sleeping with a soft pillow under my armpit - not essential, but better still. I did my exercises 4x a day and by 3 weeks had my full range of movement back. I was ready to get back to trying modified yoga when lockdown hit.
Once your plastic surgeon says you can (maybe 4 weeks?) I'd recommend investing in some silicone scar gel. A tiny tube is about $45 but 100% worth it. I saw my oncologist yesterday and she commented on how faded the scar already looked.
I was so scared before surgery. Honestly, I think I've had every emotion and probably some new ones since the day I was diagnosed! The pain was what is was. Take the drugs. If they make you feel bad, ask for different drugs. Definitely take the panadol they give you along with the hard stuff, it helps. You'll have drain(s) and maybe a negative pressure dressing with a tube attached to a pump - so there's a bit to carry into the toilet!
I had surgery on Tuesday, went to stay at my mum's where Hospital in The Home checked on my each day on Friday. Saw my PS on Monday, who took my drain out and discharged me from the hospital care. I thought I would stay longer in hospital, but my roommates were too noisy and my mum's place is so quiet! I went home (noisy, busy, kids etc) on the Monday. As someone else mentioned, you sort of go into autopilot for a lot of it, especially the morning of surgery.
I've had a super smooth recovery, have been perfectly happy with my medical team (the ward nurses are legends! They work so hard!). Happy with the aesthetic and performance of my implant. I'm getting more nerves reactivating, but the armpit side of rhe actual boob is still quite numb, so if I lean on it with my arm my arm does not realise it's my boob. It feels like when you have your handbag under your arm (except on your front). I haven't felt the implant as feeling cold. Maybe because I haven't got a huge one (small C cup?).
Anyhow, sorry for the long ramble. Just tried to write anything I remembered that may help. Best wishes for the surgery tomorrow!!
Have they already biopsied any lymph nodes with your other surgeries. That scar and area has definitely been the most sensitive. However not just because of the lymph node, also because breast tissue extends towards your armpit, plus my titanium mesh (that holds the impant in place) is stitched onto the muscle there (and all around, but lots there).
I have put photos into into Choosing Reconstruction group and shared my story while it was fresh in my mind.
I ended up with skin thick enough to have my implant put over the muscle, not under as I'd expected. This has meant my recovery has been a little easier.
As it was my dominant hand, I had to adjust the way I do a lot of things. However by 3 weeks I could do the basics with my normal hand (wiping my bum took a bit longer as reaching either squished my armpit or my foob, lol). I am still sleeping with a soft pillow under my armpit - not essential, but better still. I did my exercises 4x a day and by 3 weeks had my full range of movement back. I was ready to get back to trying modified yoga when lockdown hit.
Once your plastic surgeon says you can (maybe 4 weeks?) I'd recommend investing in some silicone scar gel. A tiny tube is about $45 but 100% worth it. I saw my oncologist yesterday and she commented on how faded the scar already looked.
I was so scared before surgery. Honestly, I think I've had every emotion and probably some new ones since the day I was diagnosed! The pain was what is was. Take the drugs. If they make you feel bad, ask for different drugs. Definitely take the panadol they give you along with the hard stuff, it helps. You'll have drain(s) and maybe a negative pressure dressing with a tube attached to a pump - so there's a bit to carry into the toilet!
I had surgery on Tuesday, went to stay at my mum's where Hospital in The Home checked on my each day on Friday. Saw my PS on Monday, who took my drain out and discharged me from the hospital care. I thought I would stay longer in hospital, but my roommates were too noisy and my mum's place is so quiet! I went home (noisy, busy, kids etc) on the Monday. As someone else mentioned, you sort of go into autopilot for a lot of it, especially the morning of surgery.
I've had a super smooth recovery, have been perfectly happy with my medical team (the ward nurses are legends! They work so hard!). Happy with the aesthetic and performance of my implant. I'm getting more nerves reactivating, but the armpit side of rhe actual boob is still quite numb, so if I lean on it with my arm my arm does not realise it's my boob. It feels like when you have your handbag under your arm (except on your front). I haven't felt the implant as feeling cold. Maybe because I haven't got a huge one (small C cup?).
Anyhow, sorry for the long ramble. Just tried to write anything I remembered that may help. Best wishes for the surgery tomorrow!!