Hi again Ange,
I agree with Chris about new pj's. I don't 'do' pj's, but I did treat myself for the occasion, but I also took leggings and hoodies in to hospital. Some of the hoodies (I'd 'borrowed' some from my boys - they're bigger than me) were great at accommodating the drains, so I didn't have to wear a shoulder bag and could remain 'hands free'.
My double mastectomy/ immediate reconstruction was with implants. I also had what was called a "nipple sparing" procedure, so I've had only the one operation. I'm REALLY happy with this, as I just couldn't imagine what I was going to see that first time (does that make sense?). I now look down and see me. An improved me as I am definitely bigger than what I was - but 6 years (total) of breast-feeding my 3 boys did take it's toll!! I have to say, too, that when I first got to see what was under the bandages I did feel like someone needed a feed! ("Quick, pass me that baby!") As the swelling has gone down I can see what Chris means when she says "I could have gone larger, without looking too big".
Finally - make sure that the surgical form that you sign specifically says EXACTLY what you want it to say. Because I regularly read the 'fine print' I picked up that one of my surgeons had me down for only a left breast mastectomy. Needless to say, the paperwork was rectified.
Take care, take photos and sending you love and happy vibes between now and then,
Mon x
Hi Ange, buy some new PJs, as these will be easier to manage with the drains. The nurses should also be able to give you a shoulder bag or drawer string bag to carry your drains in. These hide them from view, and make lugging them around a lot easier. I also agree with Mon. Do your research, and then be happy with your decision. I have finished my recon now, having had an immediate recon and a delayed one. The better result is from the immediate recon, but I am still very happy with both my boobs. I had expanders and then silicone implants. My first mastectomy was in Dec 2010, and the second one and reconstruction of both was 9 months later in September 2011 after chemo was finished. My only suggestion would be, to go a bit bigger than you think you want. I felt so large with the expanders, that I stopped at 500mls. I was a size 14B before, and didn't want to be larger. However, once the silicone is in, and the swelling goes down, it all looks a bit smaller than I thought. I am back to wearing my old underwire 14B bras, but I don't fill the top as well as before. In clothes they look terrific, and no one would probably notice. I just think that another 50 to 100mls might have filled this better. The expanders do not look as good as the implants, and I wish I had understood this better beforehand. My original breast weight was only 390g, so when my new implants were 495g each, I thought they would be huge. In hindsight, I could have gone larger, without looking too big. Good luck with your upcoming surgery. Love Chris xx
Hi Ange, buy some new PJs, as these will be easier to manage with the drains. The nurses should also be able to give you a shoulder bag or drawer string bag to carry your drains in. These hide them from view, and make lugging them around a lot easier. I also agree with Mon. Do your research, and then be happy with your decision. I have finished my recon now, having had an immediate recon and a delayed one. The better result is from the immediate recon, but I am still very happy with both my boobs. I had expanders and then silicone implants. My first mastectomy was in Dec 2010, and the second one and reconstruction of both was 9 months later in September 2011 after chemo was finished. My only suggestion would be, to go a bit bigger than you think you want. I felt so large with the expanders, that I stopped at 500mls. I was a size 14B before, and didn't want to be larger. However, once the silicone is in, and the swelling goes down, it all looks a bit smaller than I thought. I am back to wearing my old underwire 14B bras, but I don't fill the top as well as before. In clothes they look terrific, and no one would probably notice. I just think that another 50 to 100mls might have filled this better. The expanders do not look as good as the implants, and I wish I had understood this better beforehand. My original breast weight was only 390g, so when my new implants were 495g each, I thought they would be huge. In hindsight, I could have gone larger, without looking too big. Good luck with your upcoming surgery. Love Chris xx
