Hi all, I am going in for a mastectomy, reconstruction and symmetry reduction and lift and was advised if all goes well I will only be staying over one night in hospital, Im wondering how you all felt about this experience and if you coped ok going home that early etc? Feeling a bit nervous about it but understand its out of my hands.
I hope you have the choice to stay in. It should not be out of your hands. It's major surgery and if you aren't okay to leave you shouldn't be made to leave.
I had a L? Mastectomy end of Sept 2025. I would not have been ready to go home after 1 night. I probably could have managed after 2 or 3 days, but I ended up going home on the 5th day post surgery. I still had drains in and had them for 2 more weeks. I did not mind staying in. I was in a private hospital in a private room so it was nice and quiet. I liked not having to worry about food! I needed good pain relief. As long as they don't force you out when you are not ready to leave.
Hi Tangerine,
I had a mastectomy and 3 lymph nodes removed. I was told I would be in one night but could stay in longer if I needed it. I would hope and expect that the option to stay longer would apply to you too if you feel you’re not quite ready to go home. While, I was also told that mastectomies are now considered ‘day surgery’ in the U.S. we are all individuals and how we feel after an anaesthetic and respond to pain relief etc will vary. Let them know if you don’t feel ready for release.
In my case, just like Moomincom, I got very little sleep in Hospital. It was very noisy overnight with all kinds of “Codes” being called over speakers. I absolutely couldn’t wait to get home to my own bed and comforts. I was advised how to manage the drain and had no problems with it for the 5 days it was in.
Lifting my arms up above my shoulders was advised against but I managed fine with daily life, including plates and pots. I tried to avoid lifting anything heavy, say over 1kg for the first week and then added another 1 kg each week after that; but again what each of us considers heavy is an individual thing. I couldn’t wash my hair and so went to my hairdresser for that. She was only too happy to help.
I’m holding you in my thoughts and hoping everything goes smoothly for you. Go easy on yourself and take any help that you can if you feel you need it. I found I had some energy in the mornings to do a few things but was ‘wiped out’ every afternoon. It took me a while to really listen to my body and give it the rest it needed.
Remember that every single day that passes is a day closer to your full recovery. Like Arpie, Moomincom and myself you will get better, you will amaze yourself with your own resilience and you will have a tale to tell. Hugs and more hugs.
I agree with all that you've said - I hope that Tangerine DOES have the choice to stay on .... and I would suggest you take a pair of ear plugs and aeroplane eye mask with you, to mitigate the noisiness & bright lights! These are the ones I use ... you squish one end to 'pencil thickness' and shove it right into your ear - they take the shape of your internal ear & block most noises!
And it is SO important that you have GOOD SUPPORT at home, so you don't do any lifting, reaching up or down (or laundry, or lawn mowing ... or picking up pets or kids) until you get the OK from your surgeon in the following week or so!
Make haste SLOWLY .... and don't overdo things Tangerine xx
Tangerine It can be a tough time waiting for the surgery day to come.
I haven't had a mastectomy but hopefully someone who has will respond soon.
Have you got anyone at home who will be able to help you during recovery?
I had an overnight stay after axillary dissection and I was seen by a lot of different people the morning after to ensure I was fit for going home.
When I got home I had help for a little while with things like doing the dishes, putting dishes in the high cupboards, doing laundry, putting the garbage bins out, etc. Anything that involved pushing/pulling, heavy items, or moving my arm higher than my shoulder.
I was seen daily by community nurses for four weekdays (they didn't visit on the weekend but I knew I could go to the hospital if I had any issues) who checked my vitals, my wound dressing and my two drains. After drain removal I didn't need to but I would have been able to call or see the community nurses if I had questions or needed help.
I found the night in hospital was my worst sleep with the beeps and lights and people and observations. Recovery at home was much more relaxing.
Hi Tangerine
Great that you have a date for your surgery.
Re staying only the one night ... some patients may stay one night only - others may be in for 2 or 3 nights ...
I'd suggest you join the (private) Reconstruction Group here & put the quesiton to them, as they have 'been there, done that'.
Group: Choosing breast reconstruction | BCNA Online Network
I was in for the 1 night, but I only had a Lumpectomy & had no drains - plus I was from a rural area so had a 4hr drive to go home - so the surgeon suggested staying in overnight.
If I'd been local, I may well have been sent home the same day.
Take care & all the best for your surgery & ongoing treatment
Hi Tangerine , this is a great question and I am sure others can shed valuble insights about their experiences. You might like to check out our article on hospital stays for surgery, it can be typical that you would be there for just one night, some even just do a day surgery. Scroll down to the section "returning home" for more info :)
