Mastectomy this week-what to expect

Hi Julie, so sorry you have to go through this crappy journey
I had a left mastectomy 8 yrs ago.Initially,I just wanted the cancer and breast gone ASAP. I’d had a lumpectomy and radiationon on the same Breast 7yrs before and so my recon options were limited.
When I first looked at my scar, I was high on painkillers and it didn’t look so bad.The drain was in for about a week and that was a real pain in many ways. I was in hospital for 3 days and the pain wasn’t too bad. You are quite numb across the chest- still am. I had a large binder around my chest and so I didn’t wear a bra for a few weeks. I found a singlet more comfortable to start with.Make sure you have a loose,button up shirt to wear home from hospital.It will hide being lopsided.It’s a big adjustment on many levels but you get used to it. I got fitted with a proper prosthesis 6wks post op and I felt more confident after that.You are kinda in battle mode getting through surgery and it’s later on that ‘mastectomy issues’ may surface.I didn’t do any farewell boob parties etc but I do wish I’d taken a photo of them as I now can’t remember We are here to chat any time about it. Best wishes for your surgery and a speedy recovery. Tonya xx

@JulieSav all the best with your surgery. I was just thinking back to my surgery 4 years ago. I think the nurse told me there would be a day where I felt really flat around the 3rd day after surgery from memory. Then I started to feel better. I took my own pillow in and turned the little side cupboard around to face the bed more so that I didn’t have to reach around as much. It wasn’t as painful as I expected, although the drains can be annoying/ painful, especially in the shower. We are thinking of you and just know it will get better. 

It is such an unknown so it hard for the mind not to wander! I had a double mastectomy and  sentinel node biopsy 27/10/18. I had expanders put in at the time for future reconstruction. The pain initially was manageable and dulled quickly. My breasts are now full of fluid which is the most uncomfortable part but again not painful just discomfort. I was thankful for my mums help to shower and get dressed the first few days and I had drains in for 2 weeks which look weird but again not painful. I was thankful for my electric tootbrush in hospital! Good luck on Wednesday and if you are able to have a friendly face waiting for you, that helps too xx
 

Hi Julie. Welcome. I was a lurker for ages before I joined in! Sorry you're here, but if you find it half as comforting as I do, then it's a good thing.

Take some time to say goodbye to your breast. Sounds silly but a lot of us have found it helpful. Some have a party, some a quiet prayer of gratitude for their service, or take themselves to a place where they can take the girls out in nature and howl! I had a double mastectomy (and immediate DIEP reconstruction) and spent a lot of time in the preceding weeks 'memorising' what they felt like. I also got my husband to take some photos of the girls. I've not looked at them since they were taken but it's important to me to know I have a record of what was there before.

There's normally little pain with a mastectomy. You tend to have more issues in the armpit area. Make sure you do the exercises they give you religiously. They really helped. I'm almost seven months down the line and have to do a particular set of stretches otherwise I lose range of movement. As with any amputation you can have phantom boob sensations. Phantom nipple is downright weird I can tell you! And then you can get very sharp and sometimes painful sensations as nerves grow and try to reconnect. This can go on for ages. I'm still getting them.

Do you have a breast care nurse? Mine supplied me with the free Berlei bra. It's ugly as anything but I found it very comfortable. Ring your surgeon's office amd ask them if they supply it. Or the hospital. Or failing that, try the BCNA helpline on 1800 500 258.

I had a lady pop into my hospital room and give me a bag of 'goodies', which included hand knitted drain bags, and most valuably, a Zonta cushion. This is a little cushion that you hook on your shoulder to position as you need to keep your arm off your body until the surgery site heals. It then becomes handy to put between a seatbelt and you.

Take front opening sleepwear, unless you're happy to be in a hospital gown. You probably won't be in there too long. Though that can depend on your surgeon, and how quickly you don't need your drains. They like to see their output trickle down to almost nothing. Some people's do, some take weeks and they go home with them.

Are you having an expander put in, or looking at a later DIEP? Have you joined the Choosing Breast Reconstruction group (scroll down and click on Groups)? There is some excellent advice over there.

Good luck Julie. I hope it all goes very smoothly and let us know how you get on. Better an empty house than a bad tenant! Big hug, K xox

It's all a bit of a muddle at first, isn't it? I had two days between confirmation of diagnosis and surgery, so wasn't very prepared at all. Didn't matter as the hospital looked after me well. The surgery itself is usually very straightforward, I was home in 4 days and very little pain. I was offered painkillers at every turn, but really didn't need them. I did manage to buy pyjamas, front opening is useful and without fiddly buttons, mine had a zip. Also had a hood with little ears but that's what happens when you buy things in a hurry!! Teabags or coffee bags are good as hospitals often can't get that quite right. Books, IPad, whatever you like to pass the time. I didn't get a free bra, I actually wore the same bra in and out, with a soft pad provided by the hospital. I had no problem, the bra did not sit on my scar line but apparently a soft bra is better. A phone call to your surgeon's office may clarify that. I didn't have reconstruction but it's an entirely personal decision and many women do. You can join the breast reconstruction group here when you are ready. Best wishes, it's a big step but in the right direction.