Prepations for mastectomy + lymph clearance + DIEP + potentially removing port surgery
For the short read: What exercises for PRE-surgery and items to have onhand for POST-surgery do you recommend? I have about 2 months time, am 45 and generally fit except for limited mobility in one arm due to a pesky port that won't ever heal properly (see deep read below if interested). For the deep read: So I hear this is a 10 hr surgery with my arms up over my shoulders and people leaning over them. Obviously lots of incisions and wound care to follow as well as time appropriate physio and exercises. I'm still 2 months out from surgery and would like to be as prepared as possible since I've previously suffered shoulder bursitis and subsequent frozen shoulder on both sides (at different times fortunately!) that lasted many many months (less the 2nd time as I could feel it coming on and do exercises). Any pre-surgery exercises to recommend? I also have had problems with scar healing. My port insertion was the first time I've ever been cut and stitched up. I had it first become dehiscent, then redone 6 weeks later, then lots of spitting sutures. After another 8 weeks the skin was irritated from taping so stopped that. But in this last week, the scar has widen without taping and is now 2cm wide! Have now started back on with stratamed and taping but using a gauze over the wound because it now got a bit of exudate. Yes, nurses and doctors monitor it, I have suitable antibiotics on hand, but since they saw how bad it got last week I've been told to be extra vigilant and go straight to ED with a low tolerance of anymore funny business or temperature of course. So stretching back on the port side is currently difficult. I understand I'll be a fairly sedentary for the first while. For items after surgery I found such things - any comments? Any brands or items you tried that were no good? Mastectomy ice pack strap thingy https://ebay.io/m/lgO8Mh Wedge pillows https://ebay.io/m/l4HXiR Different ones https://ebay.io/m/YhKxGI https://onelink.shein.com/58/65zvq6nbsrcr Will I need a girdle? Where to get, what to look for? Skins brand compression items were mentioned elsewhere in forums. Any relevant for my case? A bit of chest compression with this chest binder? I'll be a 10A-B with DIEP flap https://onelink.shein.com/58/65zwsvn5cwfj Or this just looks like a tight tank top https://ebay.io/m/DeByYA Best wound healing products? I've got stratamed (didn't use from beginning or consistently. Just started again now). Tips for use other than what on the package? Any tips for avoiding spitting sutures? Yuck and annoying! 😭 Many many thanks for all you lot helping each other out ❣️10ViewsSign in to react to this post0Comments
Post surgery help
I'm having surgery in a week and a half - double mastectomy and reconstruction. I've been advised it will be a 6 week recovery period with two weeks of not being able to drive. I'm an immigrant single parent (two kids, 9 and 12) with no family here but a strong social network. I've been mulling over how to organize help at home - what level of help have others found was needed after similar surgery? One of my siblings has offered to come and stay with us for a couple of weeks - I'm inclined to accept as I'm thinking it will be easier to have another adult with us full time rather than having to organize multiple different people who are coming and going. How long was help needed with housework etc?121ViewsSign in to react to this post2Commentssurgery loomimg
Hey everyone I’m on the countdown to my surgery now (26th August). I’m trying to prepare best I can mentally & emotionally. Gosh that’s difficult! It’s only an overnight stay but am asking for any advice on what I might need in the weeks afterwards. to help myself to be comfortable etc. 💓 thanks ☺️🌸181ViewsSign in to react to this post6Comments
Experience with suction/negative pressure dressings
So last Thursday I had a bilateral "Goldilocks" mastectomy - it's Tuesday now, so today is the fifth day post-op. I had three nights in hospital and was discharged on Sunday, and every day has felt like a battle with these dressings. It's a system called Prevena that puts a foam layer over the sutures, and then a plastic dressing over that so that the attached pump can then apply a gentle vacuum. Even in hospital, every day has brought patches to the edges to try and maintain a seal. It holds if I'm sitting down but the moment I stand up, the pump goes off, and I hear a little whistle from a new leak somewhere in the dressing. It's getting pretty frustrating - I can't shower without it going off and even just doing a wash at the basin triggers leaks. And forget going for 'gentle walks' - I want to, but not if the dressing's going to leak the whole damn way. I'm due to have them removed on 9 December, so six more days with them. If I thought I was happy to have drains removed, that'll probably be nothing compared to the joy of getting rid of these dressings. Has anyone else had experience with suction/negative pressure dressings like this?543ViewsSign in to react to this post17Comments
Rock climbing, strength training and running after lumpectomy
Hi everyone. I'm an active 41 yo (My favourite activities are climbing, sailing and running). I had a lumpectomy 3 weeks ago. The size of the tissue removed was 6x4 cm. I'm feeling great with the recovery, and I will most likely start radiotherapy soon. I was wondering how was your experience with recovery and getting back to exercise. I'm like rock climbing, and I am thinking to take another 3 weeks off training, but I also have been reading that I could exercise the lower part of my body. I have been walking almost daily. How has everyones experience has been with lumpectomy and returning to fitness?239ViewsSign in to react to this post3CommentsPreparing for surgery
Moderator moved @m_m11 post from activity section to main 'Discussion' page: m_m11 Good morning lovely ladies, I have finished my chemos and surgery is on 4th of June which is lumpectomy and breast size reduction. I’m very nervous and anxious about it, my surgeon said 6 weeks for recovery. Please share how recovery will be and recovery tips and thing I need to careful, is recovery will be painful? I’m very very anxious because never had surgery before. TIA247ViewsSign in to react to this post4Comments
Slow Down Project
Hiya, I am starting a new creative project, thought it might be good place to show my efforts. With a lot of wait time coming up with appointments and treatments I was looking at a portable time fill option - so hand embroidery it is! I just wanted a small, achievable, positive to not need to think too much but focus on. Starting with straight lines (oops maybe will not do it all in 24hrs...remember the slow down being the aim 😉). Then a cross stitch, then a bigger challenge. Three simple kits to start while I learn some needlework. If I am happy with my efforts, I then have a bigger free hand in mind, using some quilting project fabric I keep not having time for.... but now do for a bit. Watch this space 🙂🩷.840ViewsSign in to react to this post26Comments
About to have double mastectomy no reconstruction - any tips?
Hi All, I have finished 5 months of chemo and next step on 1st November is a double mastectomy and R lymph node clearance, I have chosen no reconstruction. I was just wondering if anyone had any tips for the hospital visit and recovery time? Anything you would have liked to know beforehand? I have just gone and bought a couple of button up PJ tops and a few button shirts for home. Thanks :)589ViewsSign in to react to this post12Comments
Healing Time
Hi everyone. I am new to this group. I had mastectomy around two weeks back. It's really sore and I have limited arm movement. It feels like my skin is glued to my chest wall. Any movement cause uncomfortable stretch. I would like to know how it has been with other group members. How long does it take for inner stitches to heal? When were you able to move your arm and body like normal without pain? I also have like balls under my arm which is really annoying. Can anyone suggest what they have done for that. Has any one taken any special food to heal faster? I have so many questions. Please help. Thanks283ViewsSign in to react to this post10Comments
Arm Nerve pain
Curious to know if anyone found Heat and/or Cold packs useful for helping with the nerve pain down the arm from post-surgery sentinel Lymph node (& breast lump removal)? My surgeon & my oncologist have said they can prescribe meds but I would prefer not to take any pain medication.199ViewsSign in to react to this post8Comments
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