Mastectomy this week

I had mine 8 weeks ago and it really wasn't as bad as I thought. There was no pain to speak of afterwards, which surprised me. The anesthetic made me really woozy all that day, and IV anti-nausea drugs didn't help much, so with my axillary clearance two weeks ago I spoke to the anesthetist about it, and he mixed up something different for me. I was fine afterwards, though had a muggy head the next morning for an hour or two as it cleared my system.  

The worst thing was the drain bottle, though once the drain bottle is down to 30-50mls it's removed. If you can get a bag to carry it around in it's easier, or put it in a large pocket at waist level or below. I forgot mine a few times, and it hurts as it's stiched into your side below the mastectomy. You'll also need to wear (horrible) socks to avoid a blood clot for a few days-week after the operation.....and you need to start moving your arm within a day or two of surgery using the exercises they give you or it will be harder later and take longer to regain mobility. 

Good luck on Wednesday!

Thank you for replying, I’m very grateful for any help/advice

Hi Rita, 

Hope the op goes ok, I had a bi- lateral mastectomy a year ago. The op itself is quite straight forward although as mentioned the drains are a pain, I was given small bags to keep them in and I’m obviously not the only person to ‘ forget’ them when moving around.

You may find my old posts on here, I hated the initial appearance, but it soon settles and looks so much better as time goes on. You do quickly get used to it. 

I found dry shampoo useful as I couldn’t shower until the drains were out. 

Good luck tomorrow 

Elizabeth 

Hi Rita59

Good luck tomorrow. I had my mastectomy in January and like others have said it was not as painful afterwards as I thought it would be.. I was given a small heart shaped pillow to put under my arm which was nice and soft. You could use a small pillow. 

Plus like others have said about keeping the drain in a small bag which you can coil up the tube into so there is less chance of you catching it. 

I am not sure if you are having any reconstruction but don't worry how it looks straight afterwards. It will settle down. 

You should rest as much as you can without feeling guilty. Just listen to your body. 

regards
El

Thank you, I am anxious tonight but will be glad to get tomorrow over with, my daughter has had dry shampoo for me , so good to have all this help and advice x

Good luck Rita, it will be fine and not nearly as bad as you think.

I had  a mastectomy on 10th May, I was really scared but it was not nearly as bad as I expected.  Very little pain, more discomfort.  Was given loads of pain killers to take home with me but only used paracetamol in the end.  I had a drain bag which was a nuisance but bearable.  I enjoyed the challenge of trying to dress so that no one knew I was attached to it.  I had it for 10 days after the op and had quite a few outings with it hidden under clothing.  

I was also given a small heart shaped cushion, donated by local quilters and I still use it at night.  I find it very comforting and helps under my arm. The thing that really helped me was knowing that when I woke up it would be gone.

I'm also learning to love the new me, although I still feel like I have both breasts.  The scar is not as scary as you're probably thinking either, it's somehow says I had cancer but now it's gone and it was me who dealt with it.

Take care and good luck, I'm sure you'll be fine. XOXO

Hi, thank you for your message, feeling anxious tonight, I am not having reconstruction, I will just be glad to get tomorrow over with and hopefully get back to normality, thanks for your advice and tips.  Ritax

Thank you so much, it’s so reassuring to hear from you and other people who have been through the same journey as myself, yes will be glad to get tomorrow over with and in my mind the cancer will have gone too, take care Rita x