Hello,
Just wondering if there is anyone who has had a Goldilocks mastectomy and how they are recovering. I had one six months ago with a reduction mammoplasty on the opposite side plus a sentinal node removal. Is there someone who has had a similar operation and how are you recovering?
If you get the right person who understands scar tissue - the massage based treatment is so effective for this type of pain.
Goodluck!
Thank you for your reply and for telling me about the scar tissues as that is my main concern. Shoulders and neck are really good - the tissues around the lots of scars that I have are still sore and I will expect it for some time so if I find it gets worse I will follow up with the breast care nurse to see if there is someone who can advise on any extra care. Pain is variable and very frustrating sometimes.
Thank you for you reply re recovery and the feedback on your experience - it is all time and we are all different aren't we but it help to here from the experiences of others
Hi, At 6 months - everything is very well healed. The pain mostly comes from the scar tissue that forms during healing. The scar tissue can make surrounding muscles of the neck tight and painful.
People have different levels of scar tissue after surgery. Stretches given by the DR or the physio are designed to treat and stretch the scar tissue. Sometimes this is not enough - I would recommend seeing the Breast clinic OT or Physio to see if they do scar tissue treatment - or ask if they can advise where you may go for this service.
Do not put up with shoulder or chest pain - this is not the case that it will eventually go away by itself. Australian research says about 50% of women have persistent shoulder symptoms many years ( presently at 6yrs) after. So please ask for some rehab help at your clinic.
If you've posted this because you're experiencing pain you're worried about it's going to be better in the long run to call your surgeon, maybe even schedule and early check-up, and get answers that way.
I've seen posts around saying that some women experience pain even two years after their mastectomy & reconstruction, and I think the Goldilocks is supposed to cut that time in half - so my wildly uneducated guess here is that you might be in for another six months of soreness and twinges. Issue being that everyone heals at different rates. Case in point, I only had a wide excision and one node removed a whole month ago and I still need painkillers now and then. I don't expect I'll actually be done with the pain for another few weeks, yet other women could hit the gym a week after the same procedure.
Again, if you're worried, call your surgeon. I've hit recommend, I really hope someone here can offer you the insight you need. <3
