Hi again - still gathering info before my DMX (@kmakm - this might help you too!) and my next question is - what were you wrapped in when you woke up from surgery? I know each surgeon has their own technique so I need to ask mine this question, but I'm keen to hear others' experiences to find out what the possibilities are.Will I be in bandages? or a support bra? Is there one drain on each side or more than one? Do they normally give you a urinary catheter? I'm having vertical incisions and my nipples are going too, but will be having skin sparing and straight into air expanders. If I end up having an axillary clearance on either side, will that have consequences for how they bandage me up?So grateful for everyone's help during this dash through the unknown!

It is isn’t it? Now it’s all about the healing and recovery. Listen to your body; rest when you need to; be kind to yourself and keep those pain meds up if you feel uncomfortable!!!! X

Hi @Sunshine0206 - just warning that this is the open section of the BCNA online which means that anyone could potentially get access to this. However, if you would like to share photos, this can be done in the closed and private space of the Breast Reconstruction Group (just to protect your privacy). :) x

@kmakm,My must haves were decent tea, ditto coffee and my own cup. Also (surprise surprise) a bunch of knitting and my well loaded kindle. Trying to hold a book open was a bother, and I found the kindle so much easier. Button up the front sleepwear as putting arms above the head with drains, drips and whatnot is also a bit of a mission. Nibbles for the midnight hours when ward noise keeps you awake, for me salt and vinegar chippies and boiled sweets.

I did a lot of travel throughout India by bus and train back mid 80s pre India becoming an industrial powerhouse.TBH I not sure I wouldn’t be disappointed as things were much simpler then. Also I was fleet of foot and convinced of my own invincibility.

Hey@Eastmum, are you in the Breast Reconstruction group? There's some photos there I think of people immediately post-surgery. Plus I've found the women there are experts!I'm having a DIEP/TRAM and my PS said I'll have a catheter. I'll be exposed as they have to monitor the blood flow to the flap, every 30 minutes to start with.

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SoldierCrab
Member
8 years ago
@primek
kmakm
Member
8 years ago
Hey@Eastmum, are you in the Breast Reconstruction group? There's some photos there I think of people immediately post-surgery. Plus I've found the women there are experts!

I'm having a DIEP/TRAM and my PS said I'll have a catheter. I'll be exposed as they have to monitor the blood flow to the flap, every 30 minutes to start with.
Eastmum
Member
8 years ago
Yep @kmakm I sure am - some great info there! I was thinking those are all ‘unwrapped’ pics - unless there are no bandages usually? I’ll go back and have another look through. Guess I’m just the kind of person that likes to have as much info as possible. Thanks!
Zoffiel
Member
8 years ago
It's possible you will be catheterised during surgery but it will usually be gone by the time you get back to the ward.

Two drains per side seems to be the norm for mastectomy, one high and one low. That does depend on the surgeon.

As for bandages and wraps, I was very surprised to peer down the front of my gown and only see a couple of bits of tape after 2MX (nipple sparing)and expander recons. I gather they are more likely to bandage now than they used to. All this stuff changes, wounds kept dry, wounds kept moist...hard to keep up.
As them, they all do things differently. Marg x
primek
Member
8 years ago
I had 2 drains each side and just some hyperfix stretchy tape on my wounds. My surgeon liked us to wear a post op bra immediately and has specialist fitter visit 1st thing next day to fit. His preference was an erilan amoena post op bra. No clips on your back. A Target post op bra is pretty good too.

Also no catheter for me .

I only had sentinal node biopsies so no visible scar from the clearance all done under the skin.
Eastmum
Member
8 years ago
Thanks @Zoffiel and @primek - that’s great info especially about the drains. I thought there would only be one on each side. Good to know!
primek
Member
8 years ago
https://www.erilan.com.au/collections/mastectomy-bras-underwear/products/amoena-frances-mastectomy-bra-grey-lace

Lots of colour choices. But this was tbe tpe my surgeon preferred as it's not too tight.
primek
Member
8 years ago
Have you got drain bags given to you yet?
Eastmum
Member
8 years ago
Hi @primek - thanks those bras look great! No I haven’t got any drain bags yet. Do they give those to you in hospital? Should I make contact with the Breast care nurse before my surgery?
primek
Member
8 years ago
I'd give the breast care nurse a ring. I was given 2 zonta pillows and drain bags at time of surgery planning. Oh...actually they forgot the bags but the bc nurse whipped down to car and got them for me the next day when she visited. Makes mobilising a lot easier.