Day 2 Post-Op
I am day 2 post wide local lumpectomy, 2 lesions removed. I can say that I had an overall great experience so I am counting myself very lucky. I thought I would outline my day as it might help others know what might happen. I had to be at the hospital admissions desk for 0630, which wasn't too bad really - at least the rush hour traffic wasn't too bad. 0745 I had hookwires inserted to both lesions, confirmed on mammogram. Thankfully this mammogram was no where near as squishy as the screening mams are. Just before this procedure I scoffed down a muesli bar as a second breakfast, as my fasting time was from 0800. 0915 Then I had the lymph scan done with radioactive dye to determine the location of the sentinel nodes to be removed. This process took a while for the dye to travel from the breast to the lymph node but sure enough it eventually did. This was completed around 1130. This is also when I had to stop drinking water. From there I was escorted up to the day of surgery area, where I waited briefly to be called through for some pre op checks, changed into some gorgeous paper knickers, TED stockings and gown and booties. Thankfully there were also some lovely fluffy robes to complete the look. Once this was all done, my bags were labelled (like checked in luggage) and they were placed in a holding area to accompany me up to my room post op. I was sat in a recliner chair and allowed to have my phone and glasses to entertain myself while waiting. I think I waited here about an hour. Then transferred to a bed, and that is when it all got a bit real, being wheeled down the corridor (the ceiling lights do really look like they do in the TV shows as the patient is being wheeled down a corridor) I was wheeled into the OR and given a lovely paper hat. My surgeon did a final consent check and got me to confirm the procedure I was having and drew on my left shoulder while I was awake. I had so many marks and tapes on my left breast that It really was obvious which side we were tackling. I remember the anaesthetic mask being placed over my nose and mouth and breathing a couple of times and that's it! Next thing I am waking up, feeling a little sleepy. About 2.5 hours had passed. No pain, just a weird relaxed feeling. I had some water and a lemonade icy pole which was just what I needed. After waking up a bit more I was wheeled up to the room. I remember being spaced out with some strong pain meds. I was able to put on the post surgery bra early and that was a good feeling, so much support in that bra. It was a relief to know this part was completed. Thanks to the resources and experiences of others in this network I felt like I was well prepared for hospital. The morning after I saw the breast care physio and the breast care nurse, both whom gave me some great advice and answered my questions about the immediate post op period. Being at home has been good, although hard to settle in to not being busy (I am used to working full time) . The wedge pillow was a must buy. I got mine from Target for $45. As are loose t shirts that fit my surgery arm in and then I can loop easily over my head, or button up shirts. I am also taking regular oral analgesics. If you are reading this and your surgery is approaching, I wish you love and an uneventful recovery. I am very thankful for this network of support xxSurgery tomorrow - what to expect.
My surgery is scheduled for tomorrow and I don’t know what to expect. I’m a tad neuro-spicy and I get really, really anxious if I don’t know what’s happening. I’m having a lumpectomy and I’d really appreciate it if someone can give me a step by step idea of what to expect.
Lipofilling - tips for preparation and recovery please.
Hi everyone. Back in 2024, I was diagnosed with DCIS and subsequently had a lumpectomy and radiotherapy. I'm now booked for my first round of lipofilling/fat-grafting at the end of July. The thighs are most likely going to be the donor site. I would like to hear from anyone who has experienced this type of surgery and what helped them to recover comfortably. Any tips on what to have in place for recovery? Are there similarities in the recovery process for this, as they are for a lumpectomy? I bruise really easily and dramatically, so it should be interesting to see how my thighs react. I'm also still experiencing daily pain from the lumpectomy and radiation (although I'm under the care of a Pain Clinic). Thank you. Cozycat.
One night stay thoughts
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.Post‑Surgery Fluid Leak on One Side
I’m 48 and one week post–bilateral wide excision with right‑side axillary clearance for invasive lobular breast cancer on R) side. I still have one drain on the right, but my left breast (which has no drain) is leaking a large amount of serous fluid. It’s very uncomfortable, and the nurse has now placed a wound drainage bag post second visit to hospital and discussion with the surgeon. Has anyone else experienced this after surgery, and how long did the leaking last for you?Tips for post surgery home care?
Hello. Thanks for all the posts, they are so, so helpful. First time posting for me :) I'll be having a single mastectomy, heart side in about a month (waiting for date to be confirmed). I'm wondering what people found useful to make the home care more comfortable? For example, getting out of bed, being comfortable enough to sleep (I'm a side sleeper - right side down), showering. Are there any tips you have so I can start to organise before surgery? I live on my own and don't have children, and will have friends and family to help me. I'm also a little nervous as I have pets, who are used to being on the bed - any advice here? With thanks.
Axilla and bilateral therapeutic mammoplasty surgery
Hi everyone. A newbie to this site and find this content of great comfort and assistance - thank you all. I had this surgery 2.5 weeks ago and still in a fair amount of discomfort. Bruising and swelling still exist, and my underarm is still quite sore with cording. I do my stretches, eat healthy, exercise daily etc but still get tired. How long should I be off work to recover? I am awaiting my oncology appointment to discuss treatment plan which hopefully will be in a week or so. Grateful for any guidance on healing times at this in between stage. Thank you…
Mastectomy/Diep flap reconstruction - What to prepare for
Hello, I am heading into hospital shortly for a Mastectomy with a DIEP flap reconstruction at same time. I am starting to prepare everything now, ie stocking freezer, ensuring I have everything at home ready and staying to look at what to pack for my stay in hospital (5 days). My Plastic Surgery has asked that I bring in post op bra and if I have spanx or similar bring that in. The bra was no issue I got ones from Kmart and Berlei. In terms of compression pants, I am at a lose. So much on the market, Any recommendations, do I go for underwear type, shorts or just stomach ones. I would be grateful for any tips.
Partial mastectomy & Tdap flap experience
Thought I would share my experience here for future users as I didn't find many examples for partial mastectomy and Tdap (thracodorsal arterial perforator) flap reconstruction. I was diagnosed at 43 with stage 1 idc of 3.5cm in my right breast. It was found in my first ever mammogram which I only had as baseline because I was starting HRT for perimenopause. Thank god it got caught early. My Surgeon was very thorough and ordered CT, bone scan and MRI, which didn't show any spread to lymphs or beyond. The tumour was located at about 10o'clock between the nipple and armpit. Due to its largish size of 3.5cm the Surgeon recommend partial mastectomy but indicated would be able to spare my nipple and key sensation nerves. Understanding the options available to me was really important including the pros and cons of each. In particular I wanted to understand options that would maintain sensation. My breast surgeon put me in touch with the plastic surgeon to talk through options. I strongly recommend you ask for this consult if it isn't offered to you. Given the size and location of my tumour if I had opted for a reconstruction only the breast size would be very small, and then I would have needed to consider reduction of the healthy left breast for symmetry. The Plastic surgeon identified I was a good candidate for a TDAP flap reconstruction as part of a single surgery. While there are some risks a flap might not take, I felt it was the best first choice option for me. And I was positive that if everything went well I would only need one surgery rather than subsequent later reconstruction surgeries. Involving both breast surgeon and plastic surgeon did add a few weeks and a number of appointments to the first month after diagnosis. Luckily for me with my particular diagnosis the surgeon wasn't concerned it would impact on my prognosis. I am very aware how lucky my circumstances have been to allow me these choices. My surgery was about 4 hours I'm told. The breast surgeon removed the tumour, x-rayed to check the margins and then handed over to the plastic surgeon. In the end the flap needed to be taken from between Tdap and ldap area on my back close to my armpit area in order to have suitable arteries for blood connection. 1 lymph node removed. Thankfully when I came out of surgery I didn't have any nausea and ate a meal that evening! I was in hospital for 6 nights afterwards as you have two drains for flap surgery and the plastics team like to Closely monitor the flap and drains. The main discomfort I had for first few days was a sore shoulder because my arm had to be above my head for the four hours surgery. So anti-inflammatory cream was in high use. I was able to walk from day 2 and pretty much just on Panadol for pain. The bruising all over the entire breast was epic so arnica cream was essential. After 6 nights in hospital I was allowed to go home with my drains and have daily nurse visits to check. I also had direct mobile number for my specialist nurse if I had any questions. Being home in a quiet bedroom was a relief after the noisy nights of hospital ward. Currently on day 10 post surgery and still have the two drains, although I think they will be out in next few days. Flap surgery can also mean longer period of recovery before you can drive-up to six weeks. Although that is very individual and I'm hoping I might be able to drive in another week or so. Still early days but thought I would share my experience so far. S
