Post op help

Hi Joy,

Oh, I know about wanting to rush things - that is me all over!! "Surely I can do everything now cos it's been 3 weeks!!

Lucky you  not needing chemo - fantastic!!

AS far as the bra thing: I woke up with a lovely front opening stretchy bra on (supplied by the hospoital) but my reonstructive surgeon removed it the next day as he was concerned that there should be no restriction of the blood supply particularly below my breasts as the skin there was thin and very stretched. The nurses put on a stretchy tube for the next few days to help reduce the swelling and fluid build up. Again, though, he removed this when he visited me on Day 3 to remove the drains and told me to be very careful what I wore. Since then, I have just been wearing camisole tops that are slightly fitted but stretchy - no bra at all. MInd you I am, and was, an A cup so it may be different with anyone a little bigger.

You will have drains and will probably wake with an IV drip in your arm through which they administer antibiotics and saline. This comes out on about day 2. The drains are removed when the volume they are draining reduces to a dribble.

The only other piece of advice is take care and get mobile as soon as you feel you can. Even if it is just to hobble, with support, to the toilet. The nurses can then straighten your bed and it feels so good when you get back in and can relax. Ask for Coloxyl as well to take after meals when you are taking Endone. It is a stool softener and together with bran for breakfast, prunes, kiwifruit and pear juice, should prevent the constipation.

All the very best for your surgery, Joy - while I am still sore, I have been plesantly suprised at how quickly the wounds have healed and how I can move about and get back to normal.

Take care and let us know how you go.

Cheers,

Alison

Thanks Alison. I appreciate the feedback. Can I ask what you did about wearing a bra? I have been given no instructions apart from having nightwear with buttons down the front in hospital. I don't know if I'll be strapped up, have drains in or anything. I'm glad you reminded me about Endone causing constipation, I had that last year when I had a knee replacement! I wish you luck with the chemo, I am lucky enough not to need it (as far as I know anyway), so once the mastectomy is done I should be cancer free. The advice on listening to my body is also sound, a few people have said the same as they know how I tend to want to rush things and think I'll be better in a couple of weeks. Take care Joy

Hi Cowesgirl,

I had a bilateral mastectomy with immediate reconstruction with implants just 3 weeks ago. I had to have implants as I didn't have enough flesh elsewhere to take (a backhanded compliment??) and I wanted to have it done immediately and not have to undergo more surgery later.  I am still a bit sore, but taking some moderate painkillers really helps. I have been walking from about day 2 - very gingerly at first, then a bit further each day. I came home on Day 4 and started driving again after about 10 days - again not very far and cautiously so not to have to yank the wheel hard. I am sleeping well and while the painkillers dull my appetitie, have been eating OK. I am concentrating on getting my strength back for the chemo that starts in 10 days time.  While, everyone is different, just learn to listen to your body and the only other bit of advice would be to make sure you get some prunes and the od laxative when you are immobile in hospital and taking Endone - the constipation I experienced after coming home was almost worse than the pain of the op!

I really hope you sail through, and remeber that if you feel bad one day, the next day WILL be better.

 

All the best,

Alison

Hi Cowesgirl,

I had a bilateral mastectomy with immediate reconstruction with implants just 3 weeks ago. I had to have implants as I didn't have enough flesh elsewhere to take (a backhanded compliment??) and I wanted to have it done immediately and not have to undergo more surgery later.  I am still a bit sore, but taking some moderate painkillers really helps. I have been walking from about day 2 - very gingerly at first, then a bit further each day. I came home on Day 4 and started driving again after about 10 days - again not very far and cautiously so not to have to yank the wheel hard. I am sleeping well and while the painkillers dull my appetitie, have been eating OK. I am concentrating on getting my strength back for the chemo that starts in 10 days time.  While, everyone is different, just learn to listen to your body and the only other bit of advice would be to make sure you get some prunes and the od laxative when you are immobile in hospital and taking Endone - the constipation I experienced after coming home was almost worse than the pain of the op!

I really hope you sail through, and remeber that if you feel bad one day, the next day WILL be better.

 

All the best,

Alison

Hi cowesgirl I'm so sorry to hear about your diagnosis. It stinks and, unfortunately, you are another one among many who have had to endure this. I had bilateral mastectomies and reconstruction with expanders last year. My advice to you is to ask as many questions as you can. Be happy with your decisions and make sure you have an adequate pain-management plan in place. I found the recovery quite difficult and painful but others have not had the same experience. I think it depends on your body and how you heal. Feel free to ask specific questions if you have any. Wishing you luck and sending hugs, Xxx Jeanine

I'm so sorry you are among us but I welcome you to this wonderful network of women. You'll find support, understanding and love from all of us who are accompanying you on this journey. You might like to join the online group called "Breast Reconstruction". It was started by an inspirational lady, Louise Turner (Louie) and I was the first to join. The group has 114 members now and many members stories and photos will I'm sure be of great help to you. These women have generously shared their experiences and very personal photos to help others with a better understanding of the whole reconstruction process. We felt that there was not enough information out there about real situations and not just before and after shots from Plactic Surgeons. The link to the group is http://www.bcna.org.au/group/61026 The group is totally private with only it's members being able to view posts. If you go to the 'blog' tab, you'll find there are filter tags to the right hand side to search by topics. My personal recovery has been up and down, I'm at eight weeks now. I had a double mastectomy and left DIEP and right TRAM reconstruction and all in all I am recovery well. Still very tight across my belly though but it's uncomfortable, not painful anymore. Exercise is the key. I find walking everyday to be of great benefit. It's a slow process so take it easy and be kind to yourself. Don't overdo things and remember your body will need time. I wish you good luck with your coming surgery Cowesgirl. Keep us posted on how you go. Love Janey xxx

Thank you. I think I have done that but still learning to navigate around. Good luck with your surgery.