Awaiting risk reducing Mastectomy and reconstruction - advice about recovery?

Hi Laura, I am sorry to hear that you have lost your mum, I wouldn’t of coped without my mum so I can’t imagine how you are feeling.
 
I underwent a double mastectomy with immediate DIEP reconstruction so it may be slightly different with the implant surgery but I wanted to tell some of my positive story.  I was in hospital for 4 days and I had 8 weeks off work but I probably could of returned earlier.  I had very little pain in the breast area.

After many months of changing my mind a million times to make the decision to go ahead with the surgery, I was surprised at the sense of relief I had waking up from the surgery, I had done it!  With the immediate reconstruction I didn’t have that sense that I had lost my breasts as I went into surgery with boobs and I woke up with boobs!  Does it take time to get used to them and how they may look slightly different to your original ones? Or course it does! But these new boobs are the start of your new life been hopefully worry free from this terrible disease!  

I have a family member who had your surgery and she is extremely pleased with her implants and has probably spent a fortune on new lingerie! 

I love my new boobs! And I have absolutely no regrets!  

I hope you get to have your surgery with no further delays.  

Good luck and I wish you a speedy recovery.

Shelly x

Thanks so much Shelly that is really kind of you to take the time to reply and very reassuring to hear!

Laura x

Hi Laura, how r u.  Hope ure well.

I had the double mastectomy a fortnight ago but I didn't have reconstruction as I underwent surgery last oct to have a grade 3 tumour removed after the mammogram let me down and didn't show the cancer until I was ill but didn't know why and then in the shower I presses my nipple and there was blood.  It was only by having an ultrasound and biopsies that it came to light I had cancer. 
The tumour went from 1cm to grade 3. and 3cm when removed.
I lost my mum 10yrs ago to lung cancer so when I went for tests back then that's why the mammogram began as breast cancer ran in my dads side and it was my gran and aunt that had breast cancer.  
After my double mastectomy which on the bad breast was called completion surgery and the other was called precaution surgery due to me being a carrier of bracca1.  But the results of my pathology last week showed that a gin I had pre cancer cells again.  So now I am certain I done the right thing.
I'm not due back until next year and can have the reconstruction.
I'm happy to wait
The best advice I can give you from bottom of my heart and honestly I'm really struggling.
Take one day at a time.  Rest as much and as long as you feel need to.  Don't over do it and don't pls don't bottle anything up.  I have to as I don't have anyone to turn to.  If you have friends and family.  If and when you need to say r if you feel.  Let it out. Or anytime.  U can come tome anytime.  A stranger can be of a good turn also.
Anyway, as for pain recovery and work.  Take it in use stride and you'll be good