Mastectomy and reconstruction

Hi. I had left side mastectomy n reconstruction 7 weeks ago. It’s healed really well n honestly looks great , yes there’s a scar n no nipple, but a small price to pay. Felt ok after a few days n seven weeks on almost back to normality , feeling fine . ! Glad I had reconstruction at same time and came home same day . 

Thanks for reply thats very reassuring to hear, did you have implant and will you be going back and fore for saline to be added and then permanent implant later on, I'm nervous about the time it will take to do all of that

No, I don’t have to have chemo n have had a permanent implant put in . It’s honestly fine. Had drains in for five days which were awkward as attached to two bottles I carried round n obvs tender but don’t have to have anything else (.implant wise) really really glad I chose to have implant straightaway. It looks really natural n I was fine . I look after my mum who was dementia n went back after two weeks (cudnt lift or carry for another four weeks tho) n felt fine. Tired, but fine . 

Hi Welshmakem

I had a mastectomy with a implant reconstruction in January. I was advised to have a mastectomy as I was diagnosed   with DCIS (high grade) but once the breast was removed they discovered a stage 2 15mm invasive tumor.

I would have preferred to have had a DIEP reconstruction from the off set but I would have had to waited longer for the operation. I just wanted the breast removed as quickly as possible in order to not allow the DCIS a chance to move onto cancer. As it happens this was the right option as it had already progressed to a cancer. 

I feel totally happy with the decision I made. The operation was about 6 hours and an overnight stay. I had a drain in for 6 days. I controlled the pain with paracetamol. It is sore for the first couple of weeks but as long as you rest well and listen to your body its all fine. I had a issue with a build up of fluid in the breast and this caused the scar to open up slightly. This was drained and restitched, with no further problems.  

With cloths on I look no different, even with a swimsuit. Without cloths is a different matter. But I am just happy the cancer is gone and not worried how I look naked. 

I am yet to decide if I want to go ahead with the DIEP reconstruction but for the time being I happy with what I have got. 

Hope this helps and good luck with your operation on 18th. Be happy with your decision and don't regret what you decide. 

El

Hi Welshmakem,

i had no need for chemo or radiotherapy when I went for my mastectomy as nodes were clear (I had a SNB to ensure and a double check of one during the op too)  and HER2status was negative, so I opted for an implant as I just couldn’t face waking to nothing on that side! Yes, there were 2 drains, one removed after a week, the other after two, which I occasionally forgot about and were a bit of a pain, but hey, small price to pay!

Its not perfect, there’s a flattened area partway along the scar. I’d had previous ops for cysts and the surgeon joined two scars. But in a slightly padded bra it looks fine. The surgery was over a year ago now. I regard it as having sisters, not twins! I guess a DIEP would have got better results cosmetically but I wanted the cancer gone, and would have needed to wait longer for that op. Plus there’s always more risk with two incisions, and I’ve already got a dodgy back! 

Hope these personal stories help you but remember you are a statistic of one, so go with what your heart and mind wish, and I hope you will be happy with whatever you decide. 

Hugs xxx

Absolutely go with your heart. Everyone on here is with you all the way . I had two drains n both taken out after five days. Much better when they are out as they are cumbersome but defo small price to pay. Pain wise I was fine with just paracetamol too , they gave me codeine but I didn’t need them , and I’m not good with pain, paracetamol was enough . Just take it easy n you will get there xx

Hi moomy, thanks for reply I've had 8 sessions of chemo and will have herceptin injections for the next year I think, I'm nervous about whole process a mastectomy means with the reconstruction too and amount of operations involved with temp implant then permanent one but I still think it's the right decision for my own peace of mind.

Thanks xx

Thanks mcfc, your kind words are really appreciated xx

Just an update for you I had my mastectomy on the 18th June and reconstruction straight away, everything going ok so far, seen my surgeon yesterday and my lab results all came back clear.

Woke up this morning to find leaking around the drainage tubes, dressing, bra and bed wet so I was a bit panicked thinking I'd pulled a tube loose but apparently not, went back to QE Gateshead to see breast nurse and everything ok just changed dressings and sent me home with spares.

Go back next Thursday to have them removed hopefully if nothing else goes wrong.

Next is having temp boob replaced with permanent in 2-3 months and they've agreed to remove other breast too for me at same time, thankfully they listened to my concerns and have allowed it to happen.

Feeling sore and uncomfortable and flipping knackered but I'm coping and taking each day by day

Just an update for you I had my mastectomy on the 18th June and reconstruction straight away, everything going ok so far, seen my surgeon yesterday and my lab results all came back clear.

Woke up this morning to find leaking around the drainage tubes, dressing, bra and bed wet so I was a bit panicked thinking I'd pulled a tube loose but apparently not, went back to QE Gateshead to see breast nurse and everything ok just changed dressings and sent me home with spares.

Go back next Thursday to have them removed hopefully if nothing else goes wrong.

Next is having temp boob replaced with permanent in 2-3 months and they've agreed to remove other breast too for me at same time, thankfully they listened to my concerns and have allowed it to happen.

Feeling sore and uncomfortable and flipping knackered but I'm coping and taking each day by day