I’m looking for some advice (and reassurance). My surgery is booked for this Thursday. I was meant to have this surgery 2 weeks ago but I over did it on my birthday weekend and ended up with a bulging disc in my lower back (but the mini-golf was awesome). I’ll be having a bilateral mastectomy (no reconstruction) with full node clearance on the right and sentinel node biopsy on the left. It’s such a large surgery as I have breast cancer in both breasts with a couple of tumours in the right breast and confirmed spread to the right lymph nodes. Background info: I’m 30, married, no kids, diagnosed 7 months ago and completed chemo 9 weeks ago. Cancer is triple positive. My biggest concerns in regards to surgery are:1) how much pain will I be in after surgery? I know my chest will be numb for a while but what about the armpits?2) what kind of mobility will I have after surgery? Will I be able to use my arms? Can I touch my face, etc? 3) how long does it take to get used to being flat? I’m struggling with the surgery at the moment as it doesn’t feel like a choice but I’ve resigned myself to the necessity of it to reduce any future risk of recurrence. Thanks in advance, Jen.

Hi @Mrs_H, firstly I want to wish you good luck for surgery. Can't help much with double mastectomy but I had single right mastectomy and all nodes removed. I was pleasantly surprised by how little pain I had. I was sore if I moved the wrong way but I didn't need pain relief and only took it to shut the nurses up. I was quite numb in places including my armpit which still is and my op was 23rd August. It does feel like you have a concrete block attached to your chest as everything is tight. I could touch my face, hold a coffee cup and brush my teeth carefully. They don't recommend raising the arm above shoulder height. I couldn't anyway as muscles too tight to get that far. All in all I found it the easiest part of this whole shit experience.Lisa xo

Hiim 41. Triple positive. Left mastectomy with node clearance and elective right at same time.I was physically fit prior to surgery. I had minimal discomfort post op. I took panadol occasionally. No restrictions on movement. My exercise physiologist said I’m the best double mastectomy he has ever seen. I guess that’s a compliment. I can do everything I used to do. Numbness is transient. I don’t notice it and would not say it impacts on me.For me, I have slight mounds left. I was an f cup. I love my new shape. Good luck.

@Mrs_H the very best of luck with your surgery on Thursday.I have had two lots of surgery.1st was a lumpectomy with bilateral reduction, sentinel node removal on right side.2nd was right side mastectomy with complete node clearance on right side.I was actually surprised how little pain I was in especially the first few days.The sentinel node area and the areas of node clearance were the most painful areas, but nothing that needed strong pain killers.On both occasions I was hooked up to a PCA when I came out of surgery, I used it during the night for the reduction surgery, but not at all for the mastectomy surgery and as long as I took the Panadol at the right time, 4 times a day I had little pain.There was very little pain in the breast area, it was mostly numb.Under my arm and behind on my back near my underarm was a mixture of numb and tender, if you can be both, it was a weird feeling for a couple of weeks.It is still numb there, and doesn't feel nice when I touch it but it is not so tender.Bras still rub under the arm and in the area just in front of my shoulder on the breast area where the top lot of nodes were removed.I have a piece of the White padding used in the hospital to put under that area of the bra if I need to. Hopefully that will settle down soon.I too wondered how much flexibility I would have after surgery.After the mastectomy I had two drains in but I could still use my right arm to wash myself, just reaching up to the shower rose was not possible. And reaching across my body to my left side was not comfortable for quite some time.Washing had to be done gently and wearing a bra was out for me after the mastectomy until about week 4 then I was in the soft form fake boob and soft zip up Best and Less bras ( they have pockets for the soft forms)I could not lie on my right side until about a month after surgery, and even now (surgery was 3rd August) it takes some manoeuvring to get comfortable on that side. I did have 25 sessions of radiation there though and burned badly, so that could have affected it too.If you are not having radiation, healing will be quicker.Getting used to being flat?well, I am only flat on one side.It was very confronting for the first month, then it became gradually better.I still go to cup that breast when washing in the shower and it is a slight jolt to realise again that it isn't there.I found showering was when I dissolved into tears, sometimes to my surprise because I thought I was doing okay.Clothes sit differently, so that is something to get used to, and not having breasts makes your stomach stick out more obviously ( if that is your shape) and that takes getting used to.Personally I think I might find it easier to adjust if I had both off, because getting used to the prosthesis and the unevenness is my problem at the moment.Psychologically for me, seeing the lack of breast hit home that I had cancer and it was the first time I really accepted that it was real, which was strange considering the changes and impact of chemo on my appearance and abilities.(I had chemo before the second surgery)It will be hard to predict when and how you will be after the surgery.Anger, denial, frustration, more anger, tantrums, tears and periods of calm acceptance are all normal and to be expected. It is not a smooth transition.You should find a good lymphodema physio in case you get cording or swelling on either side.Some public hospitals have a clinic you can attend so ask your surgeon about it.When I got miserable about having the breast removed I reminded myself it meant the cancer was gone, that worked for me most of the time, hopefully it will work for you too.Good luck, enjoy the best sleep you have had in a long time, and just take the time to rest and recover. Jennie

I only had a single mastectomy, not the same but surprisingly painless. Hospital staffawere very attentibe with painkillers, but I didn't need them. I had good mobility in my affected arm ( 17 lymph nodes went) and while warned to be careful lifting my arm too high, I was able to do so in a few day. I wore the bra I cam to hospital in on he way home, and for several months thereafter with a soft pad ( I had a seroma problem), otherwise would have got a prosthesis as soon as possible. That may be only possible depending on the of wound and how your bra fits - mine was no problem My surgeon preferred to wait for any reconstruction, which was excellent by me as I was not at all sure I wanted it (and I haven't after nearly 5 years and won't). I wear a prosthesis, have no problem with clothes and look perfectly normal, even in a swimsuit. I look gloriously lop sided naked but I am used to it, so is my husband, and it's the way things are. I stripped off in a shared Icelandic swimming pool washroom last year, and felt perfectly OK about it. No-one batted an eyelid. Very best wishes.

I opted for a double mastectomy. Am 38 with 2 small boys. I experienced very little pain after. I had axillary clearance in the left side and had some weird nerve pain for a while after and a numbness. I actually wouldn’t call it pain more like I got tasered every so often! Took panadol when needed. Full mobility after a week or 2 and no dramas since. Good luck!! When you wake up after your op the cancer will be gone!! Xx

Surgery 30th November - Bilateral Mastectomy with Node Clearance

26 Replies

Sheran
Member
8 years ago
Hello mrs@_H how are you doing?
I had a bilateral mastectomy 2 years ago and am doing very well.
if at any time you feel like a chat please let me know
LMK74
Member
8 years ago
Hi Jen, great your doing so well. I'm also a major wuss when it comes to pain lol so was very surprised I had no pain from surgery. Hope you're home soon.
Zoffiel
Member
8 years ago
Hi Jen,
If you get the Emla, or what ever topical anaesthetic you have been given, on early the port should be fine--there is only that little bit of pressure while they get the needle clipped in so your surgery shouldn't make too much difference.
I Think it is great they are letting you stay in until the drains settle (though that can take a while for some people) I got sent home after my last surgery after one night on the ward and one in the medihotel with two horrible little handbags! Don't rush home, day three can be a tough one. Marg xxx
Mrs_H1
Member
8 years ago
Day 3 Post Op - I’m still in hospital. The surgeon is very happy with progress but doesn’t want to send me home with 2 drains so I have to be here until 1 is ready to come out. This has really surprised me as the surgeon had said I would only need to be in a couple of days and could go home when I was bored (ticking that box for sure).

I’m still in no pain and keeping up the preventative Panadol. I’m up and about with little issue. The drains are annoying but I’m still mobile.

I’m doing all my stretching, breathing and walking but trying not to over do it. I’m a good girl I am.

I have my next herceptin treatment on Tuesday and I’m slightly concerned about accessing my port so soon after this surgery (I am a MAJOR cry baby with pain). I should also find out my results from surgery then too. Surprised that would be so soon as well.

All in all, I’m progressing well but was expecting to be going home by now.

Jen xx.
socoda
Member
8 years ago
Woohoooooo!!! Excellent that your doing so well. Xx
June1952
Member
8 years ago
Good news. We have been thinking of you and hoping you are doing OK.
Keep in touch. Sleep well as that is the best medicine.
Summer :)
57Pauline
Member
8 years ago
That's great news, Jen.
primek
Member
8 years ago
Great stuff @Mrs_H
LMK74
Member
8 years ago
Jen, that's so good to hear. Wishing you a speedy recovery. <3
Afraser
Member
8 years ago
Excellent! Best wishes and hope you continue doing and feeling well!