hints & tips about mastectomy and recovery please ...

Hi

my story on profile just click name ,welcome and sorry you find yourself back with another diagnosis.

I had my rght side masectomy on 4/7 and just finished chemo .Herceptin starts next week .

Im sure others will be along to offer advice and hints but here's mine .

I also decided no reconstruction just wanted rid of cancer and had no problems with losing a breast . First things first I reorganised wardrobe so button thru were first choice also nightshirts were bought . Thus because arms over head is difficult if not impossible for a while .

I also bought a V pillow for support and used this along with macmillan heart pillow..I found water wipes useful to freshen up no shower til drain out .

The op itself for me was a good deal better than my imagination had told me ..more discomfort than pain . Found chemo harder.

I bought post surgery bra with pocket and had been given a softie boob to use initially . Asda do a good line in post surgery bras online but can be sent to store . M&S do some but not a lot of choice if like me you have larger cup,.

Recovery is like any other major op six weeks approx but we all differ . Just listen to your body and rest when needed . If you can try to look at wound area as soon as you can  even if just a peek stops it becoming big in head .

feel free to ask more questions 

night 

margaret x

Hi sorry to hear that you have had this twice. I  know that everyone is different but I can only say that my experience of a mastectomy was really ok. My macmillan nurses gave me a front fastening bra and softie (a soft breast form that you can wear while you are healing). I had a drain in to go home with but it wasn't in for very long and was manageable. The anaesthetic does tend to give you bad constipation so get advice as to what to take before it becomes an issue. I would do the exercises you are given as it's really important! In terms of pain relief I just had paracetamol and nurofen and I got out walking as soon as I was up to it. I'm totally fine with how it looks and feel relieved that the cancer is gone. Good luck and I hope it goes well xxxxxxxxxx

Hi

I am only at an early stage in the surgery journey, having had a mastectomy and axillary node clearance just two days ago, after completing five months of neo-adjuvant chemotherapy which successfully dissolved my tumour.  I also decided not to have a reconstruction, as I didn’t want to have any more invasive surgery than was necessary and was relieved to lose the diseased breast. 

At the moment I still have a drain in and so am just wearing loose tops rather than a bra, but I bought some post-surgery bras from ASDA and they are very comfortable.  I have some front-fastening ones which I will wear once the drain comes out, and some pretty lace ones for later.  They all have pockets for a prosthesis and were very reasonably priced (about £16 for a pack of two).  My BCN recommended them, otherwise I would have probably never have guessed that ASDA sold them. I did look at the M&S ones too, but ASDA had more choice. 

I was in hospital for one night only, and found that I didn’t need most of the things I took in (but if I had had to stay longer, they would have been useful).  I took button-fronted pyjamas, although I actually stayed in the hospital gown for the night because the ward was a  post-op extended stay area where everyone was in gowns until discharge.  I took Drench shower wipes for getting washed, which I did use in the morning because it is not advised to shower when the drain is in.  I took an iPad and my phone to keep me occupied, and these were very useful both in the morning before I went into theatre and after I got back from the recovery room. The hospital told me to bring a warm dressing gown and slippers with hard soles for walking from the ward to the operating theatre, which were useful as it was quite a long walk and partly through a public area.  I also took earplugs, which were helpful as the ward was busy all night with people arriving then being discharged.

I am only two days into recovery, so don’t have much experience of it yet.  I have found that the drain bottle is restrictive, but that I can do  most normal activities slowly (getting washed, dressed, some basic cooking).  I am taking paracetamol for pain relief but need to be careful how I move (bending or twisting is painful).  I am using a V-pillow to sleep, which is very helpful.  I have just started to do the recommended arm exercises, and am keeping mobile (had a short walk outside today).

i hope that all will go well with your preparations for surgery - take care.

Blackcat xx

Hi Ali,

I had a mastectomy in November and decided not to have a reconstruction.

I was in and out of hospital the same day, I was shown how to empty my drain and change my dressing. I didn't have the need for any pain relief after the operation or in the days/weeks after.

I did my arm exercises every day, I gave myself 2 pj days and then I was showered and dressed every day, always put your lippy on.

I bought my post op bras from M+S online and have been really pleased with them. 

Before my operation I tried to be as positive as possible, I did Reiki on myself, visualization etc, I was very calm on the day of my operation and I'm positive the Reiki helped.

The weeks after the operation I've been very up and down, very tearful but the emotions have to come out, at the moment I'm feeling positive again.

I hope this helps and best wishes to you x

Thanks Margaret - so helpful.

Chemo is gruelling isn't it ... so pleased you're at the end of that.

Alibourne x

Thanks Blackcat - really helpful - do you use V pillow for sleeping or resting in the day? I've never used one before.

Thanks for tips re Asda, I've had a look online and they look quite good so I'll give them a try.

Really hope your recovery goes well and you'll soon be up and active once again.

Thanks again - Alibourne

Hi LouiseE63,

Really helpful advice there - you sound amazing - very positive,

Wishing you a full & speedy recovery.

Alibourne x

Flowerhappy - thanks for your tips - I had really bad constipation when I had chemo so I'll be prepared this time! Glad t e pain was manageable with over the counter meds ... I'll look out for front fastening bras ...

Take care xx

Hi

I used the V pillow for both thru the day and to sleep they really help . I also put a pillow on the surgery side of bed to help support .

Yes chemo brutal I was on EC to be honest I found surgery comparatively easy lol

take care 

Margaret x