Post mastectomy/reconstruction...Questions

Hi Andy

I hope you doing well on your recovery journey

I cant answer your question but will be interested to see the answer. I too am having a mastectomy and instant implant in a couple of weeks. However at the same time I am having a reduction and lift on the 'good' side.

I would like to know about bras and holidays too.

Are you having any follow up treatments

K

Hi, 

I may have nipple sorted as I have lost that but havent even seen what that looks like yet as tape still across! I think im gonna want a lift but not sure if thats something I will have to pay for myself at some point...I cant believe it was 3 weeks ago for me..to be honest so far it hasnt been that bad. The drain was a complete pain in the bum but soon got used to it but such a relief when out!

I had 2 lymph nodes removed ans that is causing me the most pain...but its manageable. x

Hi Andy

I had same as you five weeks ago , my new boob is still sore in places (side boob and lower part of cleavage) but nowhere near as sore as it was , but it's only these last few days that it has cleared up so much. I don't have a dint so can't help you with that and in terms of bras I'm still wearing support bras for now, but am waiting for a few weeks before I go and get measured for new ones. I go back to see my surgeon again on the 1st June - he doesn't do uplift on the other boob at the same time as the reconstruction as he says they do drop slightly so prefers to wait and see before lifting the other one.

I am planning on just what I would have normally worn on holiday , just got to be a bit more careful after having had chemo.

Jo x

I don't have anything very helpful to add to this but also interested in knowing when you can stop wearing compression/sports bras post surgery.  I had mastectomy almost 2 weeks ago with a permanent expander.  Drains came out yesterday - cannot see any problems with that and don't have a dent.   I haven't been expanded yet so probably cannot compare.  Overall, I am doing good but still taking lots of painkillers as pain/ tightness is pretty tough.   Feeling very cheered by talk of holidays and swimwear -  back to our normal problem of what to wear on holidays, sounds like a nice problem now :-)

Hi,

I think its 6 weeks for the sports bra x

Hia I am 10months post mastectomy, with immediate recon which was done with an implant, I too had an indentation on the inside, in the clevege, but once I had healed and all settled down, it disappeared. 

I have never gone back to wearing boned bras, as I find them too uncomfortable, so I pay that bit extra, and treat myself to Victoria secrets unboned bras, they are so so comfortable, I swear by them. 

Try not to worry about the indentation it will fill out. 

Also with the bikini, nik material on the mastectomy side and remove the bone, as you will need support. Xxx hope this helps 

Thankyou thats really reassuring.... do you find without a bra that they look loads different eg old boob alot lower than new boob?

Well I have to say when I first had it done I had lost a stone in weight, so they where pretty much exactly the same....but since then iv put weight.back on and new boob is sitting higher then the remaining boob, but as I'm touching 50 in 2 yrs may b it's just gravity setting in. 

In a bra you just can't tell xx

hi all

I took my new boob on a beach holiday but I had to wait until after chemo.

I had left mx in  July 2015 then chemo from August to Christmas.  Went away first in February 2016 as needed some sunshine.

Was in the Canary Islands and it wasn't super hot, more like spring but was careful to wear a sunhat as had no hair and factor 30.

Once I'd had some revision surgery I got myself some nice balconette bikinis and nobody ever batted an eyelid.  Underwired are tolerable for short periods of time but I am currently wearing a new Tesco sports bra / crop top. I have to say it does the job, I'm 36B/C and look even under clothes and it is very comfortable and so are their seam free knickers, I may have to go back and buy more before they change the range.

Intrigued by the Victorias Secret no wire ones, will have to look them up.

hugs to all

Carolyn

xx

I often don't wear any bra at all, but I had a double Mx with implants.  Sometimes it's necessary (more so now I have tattooed nipples), and on those occasions I have a few lovely very pretty Ann Summers underwired bras.  Since I don't have any milk ducts that might get blocked by the wires, it doesn't bother me.

Most of the time I wear a Primark camisole with a bra shelf.