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

Mrs_H1
Member
8 years ago
Surgery finished yesterday at 1pm and I made it back to the ward at 3pm. I’ve been sleeping on and off since then. Managed some dinner last night and looking forward to breakfast this morning.

The doc has me on prevention pain meds but so far I don’t feel anything. I’m a little tight when I stand but otherwise quite good.

Im getting myself to the toilet once the nurses remove the leg scuds things.

so far I’m doing well and better than expected. Just hoping it stays this way
iserbrown
Member
8 years ago
@MrsH - thinking of you - hopefully you're in recovery or even better back on the ward! Take care xx
socoda
Member
8 years ago
Hope your powering @Mrs_H!! All the best xx
Caseypinto
Member
8 years ago
Hoping all went well for you today :) :)
poodlejules
Member
8 years ago
Good luck for today ,hope it all goes well :)
57Pauline
Member
8 years ago
Hi there
I had a bilateral right on two years ago and, like others here, didn't experience much pain. That actually really surprised me. As Zoffiel (Marg) mentions, the drains are annoying but they're manageable. I'd recommend doing the exercises that you will be given as soon an you can as they help with the tightness across the chest you will likely experience, as well as helping you get your full range of movement back.
I opted for no reconstruction and haven't looked back. I wear prosthetics during the day time and quite enjoy the feel of going flat when I'm home, especially in hot weather. I have no regrets about not having reconstruction.
All the best for tomorrow:-)
primek
Member
8 years ago
Hope all goes well tomorrow. Kath x
Mrs_H1
Member
8 years ago
Thanks everyone. Your responses have put some of my fears to rest. Nobody likes surgery so the general unease is to be expected. I think I’ve prepped as much as I can for tomorrow. I know I just have to roll with it and see what happens.

@onemargie I’m at Greenslopes Private.

Thanks again.
Zoffiel
Member
8 years ago
Hey, @mrs_h If you aren't having any reconstruction, I'd bet that you will have very little pain in your chest. The armpits and drains, well, that may be a different story. It's all doable
The drains are a pain, it's like being connected to an octopus--multiple tubes and sucky squishy bits on the end. Eww. The good thing is someone will eventually come along and pull them out (which sounds worse than it is) Make sure you take a couple of decent sized shoulder bags/fabric sacks so you can shove your horrible little friends out of sight while you get out and about. Which you will be able to do very quickly
Take pain pills if you are the sort to do so. Just don't martyr yourself--if you are in pain get on top of it early. I think for most of us, the pain in the armpits gets better quitter quickly but it is the most lingering discomfort of the whole process (at least it was for me)
Take a thermo mug and your own teabags. The day before is the worst, after that you will be fine. Marg xxx
lgray3911
Member
8 years ago
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

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Surgery 30th November - Bilateral Mastectomy with Node Clearance

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