Forum Discussion

TinaW's avatar
TinaW
Member
12 years ago

Post surgery

Hi ladies, I had a double bilateral mastectomy, 3 nodes removed with expanders on the 22nd November. I am still in quite a bit of pain and I'm still very sore and swollen. I have been taking painkillers only on a night and I still have drains in each side as I've had to have mesh to build up my chest muscle. Can anyone tell me when I should start to feel ok as I'm due back at work next week and I just can't imagine it right now, I'm also sleeping a good 12-14 hours each night as I'm so tired x

6 Replies

  • TinaW's avatar
    TinaW
    Member
    12 years ago
    Thanks Emma May, it's really helpful to hear other women's experiences. All the best for the exchange. Im hoping my expansion process starts soon and wont take long, i had huge boobs before the double mastectomy dislike I have the option I'm going for small ones so I don't think it will take long :) Have a great Christmas and new year xxx
  • EMMA_MAY's avatar
    EMMA_MAY
    Member
    12 years ago

    Hi Tina, I didn't have problems with where my drains were, so sorry i can't help you. My expanders are fat and lumpy under my arm, but i know that it is the expander as it increased in size each time I had the expanding done. I'm hoping (and have been told) that this will improve once I have had the exchange surgery in a few months. I hope it improves for you and good luck for your appointment. x

  • TinaW's avatar
    TinaW
    Member
    12 years ago
    Hi ladies, hope you are all well and all organised for chrissy unlike me! I think I have got Seromas in bith sides under my arms where the drains went in. Both are really hard and I look like I have boobies when I don't. The surgeon mentioned this could happen and he wasn't concerned last week but its slowly getting worse and I'm starting to worry as I don't see him again until Wednesday. is this normal and should I just take a chill pill and stop stressing? xxx
  • Qgirl42's avatar
    Qgirl42
    Member
    12 years ago
    Hi Tina, You are doing just fine. I had a bilateral mastectomy with implant/ expanders( the sort that don't need exchanging) on the 24th Oct. It has taken me 6weeks to really start to feel better. I think it's amazing you are only taking pain killers at night. You will know within yourself how you will go at work. I sit here now and can't believe the difference a few weeks makes ....it seems to take a long time to heal but it's fantastic to look back and see how far you've come. Good luck with it and be kind to yourself. Sue
  • TinaW's avatar
    TinaW
    Member
    12 years ago
    Hi Emma May, thanks for that I was starting to think something was wrong as it's such a slow healing process. Hope you are all good now? x
  • EMMA_MAY's avatar
    EMMA_MAY
    Member
    12 years ago

    Hi Tina, I had a bilateral mastectomy (2 nodes removed on left side) on the 31st August, with expanders inserted. I had a 4 week wait (for scaring to heal) and then started the expanding process - once a week for 6 weeks. It took me all of the first 4 weeks to start feeling ok and then the expanding process slowed me down again. I slept A LOT, found it hard to concentrate on anything. Even reading was too much and I limited my visitors or 'outings' to one a day, anything more than that and I was exhausted. Good luck with your recovery. x