double mastectomy

Hi Sam,

I have had a double mastectomy but a year apart. My R breast with the cancer in 2005 & L breast in 2006. The L had calcium changes and my husband and I decided to have it done for peace of mind.

The recovery time for the R breast was much longer because of the lymph nodes being removed and having a tissue expander in. My L mastectomy was done at the same time as I had the R prosthesis changed over. Luckily, the L one could have the prosthesis in at the initial mastectomy stage. This was only decided on the operating table as the skin was looking ok. Otherwise it would have been down the tissue expander path again.

That stay was about 5 days in hospital. The tissue expander scenario does lengthen the recovery time. I struggled with it and the pain but after a couple of weeks I could feel the tension across my chest easing significantly. No real pain or extended recovery time with the prosthesis though.

Hope this helps you with your decision making.

Alyx :)

HI, I had a bilateral mastectomy in May 2011; I was in Hospital for 1 - 1/2 days the Hospital in the home for 1 week. As with Michelle I only used panadol for pain relief, fruit tingles for nausea [don't laugh it works!!] and stretching exercises for both arms with goats milk cream on the scars. During radiotherapy I used Vit E cream on my chest and felt it helped a lot [no burns yay]. I've only just finished chemo and think that the whole treatment cycle wasn't as bad as what I had thought it would be. I was back at work within a few weeks [with time off for chemo though] and am forever grateful to the Nurses and friends who kept me feeling positive. I think that is the main thing: always look on the bright side :) 

I had bilateral mastectomies in April.  Recovery was much faster than I thought it would be, and I was home again after 4 days, returning to get the last drain out on Day 7.  Panadol was enough pain relief - there was no real pain.  The physiotherapist had visited in hospital and given me some anti-lymphodoema/stretching exercises, so movement was quickly restored, and my scar was taped lightly for about 3 weeks, by which time I felt normal again with a full range of movement.

I healed really well, and doing the exercises every day gave me good mobility.  Pure vitamin E cream has faded the scar, which is now just a line across the chest.  (Have finished 3 months chemo, halfway through rads. Further surgery has to wait, but skin in very good shape.)  Hope this helps, Michelle x

Hi, just watched the youtube video link, with you and your husband talking about the BCNA site and My Journey Kit, shown in June this year. Also showing Maxine Morand too.

Always get a" shock " when you hear and see someone, after only seeing a picture! A good shock.. LOL

Now I will know it is you.

I had two lumpectomies, not mastectomies. I had radiation both sides and I still get aches and pains at times, especially if I do too much..running around etc. I have had to learn to " pace " myself and rest if neccessary. I liken it to" chugging along in second gear ".. mostly.

Good luck with it all ..Kathy.

P.S. I  also have some issues with lymph drainage which may cause some discomfort at times too.