Helpful Hints re Surgery

Hi Lynne. Last week I had the same surgery that you are having and I can honestly say that for me I have found it pretty good. I was only in hospital for 6 days and really did not have much pain during that time. I've never needed anything more than a bit of Panadol for pain and that was only in the first couple of days. The things that I found helpful for hospital were definitely button up pjs but also a loose button up shirt to wear home. I also took a lip balm as the anaesthetic can give you very dry lips. I was also treated in a private hospital but still find it handy to take a few of my favourite snacks to nibble on when I feel the need and a friend advised me to take a drink bottle to make drinking water easier and she was right. In the first few days it is difficult to reach for things and so the drink bottle was easier to use. When I came home I definately found the little cushion for under your arm was fantastic. I also found that having oversized shoe string stap singlets are great. I can step into them instead of putting them over my head and I can then wear a shirt or a zip up jacket. 1 week on I still have a large area that is totally numb and I have a fair bit of swelling but overall I feel pretty good. My surgeon has said I should be driving within a week or so and I'm already able to do several tasks around the house so all in all things are not too bad 1 week on. Good luck with your surgery. I hope you also have an uncomplicated experience and are on the road to recovery soon. I will look forward to hearing how you go.

Hi Lynne. Last week I had the same surgery that you are having and I can honestly say that for me I have found it pretty good. I was only in hospital for 6 days and really did not have much pain during that time. I've never needed anything more than a bit of Panadol for pain and that was only in the first couple of days. The things that I found helpful for hospital were definitely button up pjs but also a loose button up shirt to wear home. I also took a lip balm as the anaesthetic can give you very dry lips. I was also treated in a private hospital but still find it handy to take a few of my favourite snacks to nibble on when I feel the need and a friend advised me to take a drink bottle to make drinking water easier and she was right. In the first few days it is difficult to reach for things and so the drink bottle was easier to use. When I came home I definately found the little cushion for under your arm was fantastic. I also found that having oversized shoe string stap singlets are great. I can step into them instead of putting them over my head and I can then wear a shirt or a zip up jacket. 1 week on I still have a large area that is totally numb and I have a fair bit of swelling but overall I feel pretty good. My surgeon has said I should be driving within a week or so and I'm already able to do several tasks around the house so all in all things are not too bad 1 week on. Good luck with your surgery. I hope you also have an uncomplicated experience and are on the road to recovery soon. I will look forward to hearing how you go.

I had bilateral ski sparing mastectomy with expanders .. Woke up with 4 drains and a pain pump. Spent 9 days in hospital and came home with 2 drains still in. I was public. By about 3 weeks after surgery I was feeling reasonably good and doing most things - reaching up and heavy lifting were restricted for longer. Pre prepare food if you can - ignore housework, and if you commonly use upper cupboards move it to shelf height. Good luck Hugs Chris Xxx

The girls have said it all. My own 'surgical' experience was pretty good..got by on just Panadol (the same as Robyn). My 'little' pink pillows were a godsend..especially at night..giving me much comfort...as I had a double mastectomy. I was in hospital for five days..(private) I had quite a lot of drainage and the Dr. preferred me to stay...I felt OK though..up walking around and showering myself. Ask your Dr. about. ,driving..housework etc. he will advise you. Just remember we are all unique...take each day as it comes and get plenty of rest...also don't forget to do your exercises.! I will be thinking of you next Wed. All Best Wishes. Chris.x

I had the same experience as Deanne.I went to Sydney Private.I came home on the 3 rd day but could have come home earlier.My pain was very little,in fact I only needed Panadol,and I threw my endone that they gave me in the bin!!Lots of pillows for propping yourself up in bed,put things like cups,coffee etc at bench height so,you don't have to stretch up,in the first few days.THE MOST IMPORTANT things I can say are... Do your exercises,even if you feel a bit sore and stiff,walk EVERY day,and make sure that you have front opening pj's,shirts etc.Also,pull up long pants with elastic waists are easier also.All the best and stay in touch.Cheers xoxRobyn

I had the same experience as Deanne.I went to Sydney Private.I came home on the 3 rd day but could have come home earlier.My pain was very little,in fact I only needed Panadol,and I threw my endone that they gave me in the bin!!Lots of pillows for propping yourself up in bed,put things like cups,coffee etc at bench height so,you don't have to stretch up,in the first few days.THE MOST IMPORTANT things I can say are... Do your exercises,even if you feel a bit sore and stiff,walk EVERY day,and make sure that you have front opening pj's,shirts etc.Also,pull up long pants with elastic waists are easier also.All the best and stay in touch.Cheers xoxRobyn

I had a mastectomy and 8 nodes removed. My experience was that I had very little pain, one night in hospital (I had very good care at home and lived close to the hospital if there had been any problems) and was back into most activities after a week or 2. I started chemo at the 3 week point. I think it is the axillary clearance that will be the most painful part and take the longest to settle. They show you how to do exercises to stretch your arm and get full movement back. These are very important and I did them daily (still do, 21 months later!). Sleeping was the hard part for a month or more. Needed lots of pillows to try and get comfortable. It was absolutely heaven when I could finally sleep on my side again! This was also when I needed a bit of pain relief for the first 2 weeks. (Endone and then panadol was enough after a few days). You will need easy to put on clothing. I wore leggings with a loose singlet top and a button up shirt over the top. Button up pjs in hospital. You will have a drain which is a bit of a bother but they should give you a shoulder bag made purposely for the drain. This makes life easier. I also received a little satin pillow which helped to make you more comfortable with your surgery area. I found a pillow to hold against your surgery area on the car ride home was helpful. You should receive a post surgery bra and prosthesis soon after your surgery. I wore this as soon as the drain came out and actually used it all the way through chemo and radio too. It was no where near as bad as I thought it was going to be and I had excellent care from my doctor and the hospital staff. I really hope your experience is ok too. Good luck. Deanne xxx

Thanks Nicole, for your honest answer. I am so sorry you had to go through all this. I can only hope that my eperience and surgery won't be so difficult. I am slowly learning to expect and plan for the worst, so that I won't be let down if all does not go to plan. Your response is exactly what I was hoping for...honest, ungilded, actual experiences. Thank you so much. Where are you at now with your treatment? Take care, Lynne :)