BRCA1+

Hi Lee, the first night was the worst. I didn't get back to my room until 7.45pm my surgery started about 2.30pm. I am not sure how long I was in recovery for I'm presuming over an hour. At first it felt like I had a truck parked on my chest I could only take shallow breaths. I just kept pushing the morphine button and it soon eased and I was off to sleep. By the next morning I had used up all my morphine so they took the drip. By the afternoon I was up walking around slowly and with four drains but so relieved it was over. I was stiff and didn't really have any upper body strength but each day was better and better. By day 13 I was able to drive although I didn't travel too far at first. Now 8 weeks post surgery I am moving furniture around the house for spring cleaning.

The first two weeks are the hardest but as long as you can rest and take your painkillers it isn't too bad. The first few days I had nausea and I was told by my anaesthetist prior to expect it. Apparently it is common with this type of surgery. I usually found it eased as soon as I laid down. If I was told I had to redo the whole process I wouldn't be anywhere near as frightened. Just take all of the medication required to get through. I found the times I tried to tuff it out were my worst. Don't rush your recovery and you will be fine.

All the best and keep us posted as to what your PS has to say.

Lara xx

Hi Linda. Thanks for that. Yes, I'm planning to be there! I hope I recover fully by then. XXX

Hi Lara, that's exactly what I'm probably having. I will be able to confirm on Friday when I see the plastic surgeon. How was your recovery? And the pain??

Hi, Lee, Been a while. Good luck with your surgery. Will you be at the conference in October?

Linda

I'm not sure Lee if I had the lat dorsi what I do know is I had them both removed with what is termed immediate reconstruction. This entailed removing all tissue including nipples and a lot of skin but I think still termed skin sparing mastectomies. Then I had expanders put in to stretch the skin to make room for silicone implants. I know my surgeon did take the back muscle and brought it around each side to help cover the expander is this what you mean? If so I had that :) I hope that helps.

Lara xx 

I'm not sure Lee if I had the lat dorsi what I do know is I had them both removed with what is termed immediate reconstruction. This entailed removing all tissue including nipples and a lot of skin but I think still termed skin sparing mastectomies. Then I had expanders put in to stretch the skin to make room for silicone implants. I know my surgeon did take the back muscle and brought it around each side to help cover the expander is this what you mean? If so I had that :) I hope that helps.

Lara xx 

Hi Lee sorry to hear you have to endure these surgeries. I had bilateral mastectomies on 30 May with expanders put in (to make room for implants). The past two weeks I have felt great almost as mobile as before surgery. I found the day of surgery the hardest pain wise. As soon as the morphine kicked in I was much more comfortable. By the next day I was up walking around (slowly) but mobile which felt really good. We all heal differently and I don't sit for long very well. Just listen to your body and rest when you need to. The first two weeks especially I was having sometimes two sleeps per day. I did find I tired very easily so slept when I could. This is easy when you are in hospital but a little trickier if at home especially when you are a mum.

Genetics have told me I don't qualify for testing but we are still considered a  high risk family. My cancer was both E+ and P+ so I may still whip those ovaries out soon too.

Take all the painkillers offered, now is not the time to be strong. I rarely take even a panadol but found I coped much better when I was comfortable.

Take care and good luck with your surgery.

Keep us posted and check out the list on this site on things to take to hospital, I found it so helpful.

Lara xx