Mastectomy dressing off....

Hello and welcome, though so sad you’ve needed to find your way here.

looking and acknowledging your scar is important, and sadly having a dressing on does prolong that time. I’d try and glance down a few times, casually at first, but then study yourself and be proud that you’ve come through and should now be cancer free. I guess I was luck as my surgeon uses glue rather than dressings so it wasn’t hidden at all. Bear in mind it improves lots too…..

I used a bio oil as soon as I was healed, gently massaged in, I have dry skin anyway so it felt good. 

Hugs xxx

My district nurse took the dressing off and said “ have a look “ By this time l was programmed to do as l was told and looked. It wasn’t as bad as l expected. In fact the surgeons work could be admired. 4 years later after lots of bio oil it’s just a thin white line. Be brave have a look, you’re a survivor.

xx

Thank you for replying over70! I will certainly use bio oil and see if it helps. its been a long journey shrinking two tumours enough to even get a mastectomy, nearly a year(!!) and I presumed it would be a wafer thin line across my chest!! it's a wiggly puckered unsightly mess, so I need to tend it and give it TLC! I will hopefully be reconciled to my cancer fight and rubbing oil on it will help me through the next steps...I find that out next week with surgeon!

cupboardlove, I have not had breast surgery yet so no experience there, but I once had a red, messy caesarian section scar. It kept getting better over time, to the point that a few days ago when I wanted to show it to a doctor I had trouble finding it. Same as over70 said -- it faded to a thin white line.

GreyCats your message cheered me up! I guess my scar can't be taut, as after radiotherapy or chemo ( tell me Wed next week) and finish treatment I would like a reconstruction. Lobular cancer can't have fat from my tum, has to be an implant so I presume I will need this skin. I'll tend it well and hopefully it will settle down.

Thank you for replying ladies, I find this site so helpful xx

Hi cupboardlove

I was awfully funny about looking at my scars too. I declined the Nurses's early invitation. Because of the necessity to moisturise for radiotherapy I gradually got used to feeling it all and getting it into good condition. Poor breasts, they've been through so much they need a little extra TLC.

Venice lagoon thanks for lovely reply. yes I will learn to look after my chest an hopefully get it ready for future implant. All these treatments and operations I did not see coming...onwards and upwards I hope!