Preventative Mastectomy

I'm glad your surgery went well.Seromas are not uncommon after a mastectomy.At this stage,exercise won't help cos it's the after effects of surgery.I had a seroma that was drained twice a week for 5 weeks and then it settled down.Just go with the flow and get it drained when it builds up. Hopefully,it won't take as long as mine to settle down.

                             Tonya xx

I'm glad your surgery went well.Seromas are not uncommon after a mastectomy.At this stage,exercise won't help cos it's the after effects of surgery.I had a seroma that was drained twice a week for 5 weeks and then it settled down.Just go with the flow and get it drained when it builds up. Hopefully,it won't take as long as mine to settle down.

                             Tonya xx

I had bilateral mastectomy and recon.  i spent 6 days in hospital after the surgery.  I wasn't allowed to go home until the drains had been removed.  I was home for about 6 weeks to recover and started to go work from home for a couple of hours each day from about week 7/8.  I had terrible neck pain as I think I was hunching (trying to protect my chest) so this prevented me from catching the train/ sitting up for too long.

I went back in to work after 2 months.  You have to take it easy and my husband had to help me carry my laptop (I had to buy a wheelie bag as I wasn't comfortable using a backpack and didn't have the strength to carry the bag.

Key thing is to keep moving once you are back at home.  Go for daily walks, do your arm stretches every day.  I also started hydrotherapy/ aqua aerobics at the local hospital for people recovering from breast surgery about 2 months after the surgery.  I really enjoyed it.

Definitely buy lots of button up clothing (I really struggled to find clothes with buttons all the way down the front).  I couldn't get my hands over my heads so I had a limited wardrobe for about 2 months. 

lots of trashy magazines for the hospital, nothing that requires deep concentration.  As Debbie mentioned, the bags to carry your drains in is really handy.  My mum brought me something similar to the coles/ woolies bags which I carried around when I walked around the hospital.   

I got the 2 arm pillows from the breast nurse but found I didn't use them much whilst in hospital.  Found I used them most in the car when the seat belt goes across your chest. 

I had bilateral mastectomy and recon.  i spent 6 days in hospital after the surgery.  I wasn't allowed to go home until the drains had been removed.  I was home for about 6 weeks to recover and started to go work from home for a couple of hours each day from about week 7/8.  I had terrible neck pain as I think I was hunching (trying to protect my chest) so this prevented me from catching the train/ sitting up for too long.

I went back in to work after 2 months.  You have to take it easy and my husband had to help me carry my laptop (I had to buy a wheelie bag as I wasn't comfortable using a backpack and didn't have the strength to carry the bag.

Key thing is to keep moving once you are back at home.  Go for daily walks, do your arm stretches every day.  I also started hydrotherapy/ aqua aerobics at the local hospital for people recovering from breast surgery about 2 months after the surgery.  I really enjoyed it.

Definitely buy lots of button up clothing (I really struggled to find clothes with buttons all the way down the front).  I couldn't get my hands over my heads so I had a limited wardrobe for about 2 months. 

lots of trashy magazines for the hospital, nothing that requires deep concentration.  As Debbie mentioned, the bags to carry your drains in is really handy.  My mum brought me something similar to the coles/ woolies bags which I carried around when I walked around the hospital.   

I got the 2 arm pillows from the breast nurse but found I didn't use them much whilst in hospital.  Found I used them most in the car when the seat belt goes across your chest. 

I had bilateral mastectomy and recon.  i spent 6 days in hospital after the surgery.  I wasn't allowed to go home until the drains had been removed.  I was home for about 6 weeks to recover and started to go work from home for a couple of hours each day from about week 7/8.  I had terrible neck pain as I think I was hunching (trying to protect my chest) so this prevented me from catching the train/ sitting up for too long.

I went back in to work after 2 months.  You have to take it easy and my husband had to help me carry my laptop (I had to buy a wheelie bag as I wasn't comfortable using a backpack and didn't have the strength to carry the bag.

Key thing is to keep moving once you are back at home.  Go for daily walks, do your arm stretches every day.  I also started hydrotherapy/ aqua aerobics at the local hospital for people recovering from breast surgery about 2 months after the surgery.  I really enjoyed it.

Definitely buy lots of button up clothing (I really struggled to find clothes with buttons all the way down the front).  I couldn't get my hands over my heads so I had a limited wardrobe for about 2 months. 

lots of trashy magazines for the hospital, nothing that requires deep concentration.  As Debbie mentioned, the bags to carry your drains in is really handy.  My mum brought me something similar to the coles/ woolies bags which I carried around when I walked around the hospital.   

I got the 2 arm pillows from the breast nurse but found I didn't use them much whilst in hospital.  Found I used them most in the car when the seat belt goes across your chest. 

Ok,a seroma is just a collection of fluid that can sometimes buildup after this sort of surgery.The doctor or breast care nurse can just just syringe it off.It doesn't hurt because you are numb across the scarline.The waiting is terrible but keep very busy-that helps.

                                                             Tonya xx

Hi Tanya,

It was exactly a year ago that I had my mastectomies, and I am doing fine thanks - x

The bra can be ordered by your surgeon's receptioniste or nurse - you just have to fill out a form and they send it in for you. It comes with soft pad inserts, and is front opening, which makes life much easier :) Try not to be too anxious - the theatre staff will be lovely to you - and you won't even remember the anaesthetic - you will just wake up and it's all done.

The Cancer Council in your state has a great package to send you which includes a relaxation cd. It really works. There are others you can download from youtube which can help you relax, especially at night. I keep a cd player next to my bed, and my tapes put me to sleep in 10 minutes!

If you are behind a desk, then you would be able to return at least part time when your drains come out - about a week on average after surgery - but you will be more tired than usual and not able to drive for a few weeks. I would allow at least 3-4.

If you have a protective pillow across your chest you should be able to hold your beautiful new grandchild - and what a lift that will give you! All the very best - stay in touch - Michelle xx

Hi , I had a mastectomy in March 2011 and another one in May 2012. I found the recovery not to bad. Tablets for the pain helped. I also saw a breast nurse at the hospital befoe the op and got two bags that go over your shoulder made from material, to put the drainage bottles in, so much easier to get around. Ask the breast nurse for some, as people make them to donate . 

I get so sick from anethestic and that was my biggest fear. I asked to speak to the Dr when I went to have the op and told him my concerns and they gave me a anethestic that would not make me sick. I woke up feeling great both times. Please let them know before they put you under.

Button down pjs are a must, so much easier. I had a horseshoe pillow for hosp,and found it great.

I found my breast nurse great, for after the op support, could ring anytimewith concerns.

Wishing you all the best. Debbie

Hi , I had a mastectomy in March 2011 and another one in May 2012. I found the recovery not to bad. Tablets for the pain helped. I also saw a breast nurse at the hospital befoe the op and got two bags that go over your shoulder made from material, to put the drainage bottles in, so much easier to get around. Ask the breast nurse for some, as people make them to donate . 

I get so sick from anethestic and that was my biggest fear. I asked to speak to the Dr when I went to have the op and told him my concerns and they gave me a anethestic that would not make me sick. I woke up feeling great both times. Please let them know before they put you under.

Button down pjs are a must, so much easier. I had a horseshoe pillow for hosp,and found it great.

I found my breast nurse great, for after the op support, could ring anytimewith concerns.

Wishing you all the best. Debbie