Breast cancer - op 3 double mastectomy and reconstruction

Hi 

• Have you spoken to your surgeon about this? What are their thoughts?
• travel insurance , what have they said ?
• airline, some airlines are not keen on passengers before 4 weeks post surgery flying , best to contact them ? I know jet2 it is 14 days but you do need to fill in a form , not sure of other airlines

if these are all a yes it is really up to you how you think you will feel ? Is it going to be hot ? What will you wear (given that you may still be quite swollen ) My mastectomy and implant was my 4th surgery and it was really uncomfortable for a few weeks (was 5 years ago so the memory fades!) Not in any pain just uncomfortable. Have you recovered okay from your previous ops ? 
It is good to have things to look forward to though and I am sure I would be asking similar questions if I were in your situation. I took 6 weeks off after my op , which I probably didn’t need physically , but I had gone back to work after each of my failed ops and a week after my last chemo , stupid really , so took the six weeks as a good recovery period.

Hope everything goes okay

Jo x

Thank you so much for the response, Jo.

Surgeon was tentatively supportive. (Wedding involves a surgeon so I’m hoping that may allay some of his fears when I speak to him again!). He was a bit concerned with it being the third op I think  - in case the cumulative impact is greater  

I didn’t realise airlines had a policy - I’ve been told 10 days is min recommended recovery time before a flight by a cancer specialist medic. We’re flying BA (unless they’ve cancelled it!) so I’ll check their policies. 

I have recovered fine after the other two ops (and the last one was 4.5 hours so likely longer than the next one - or similar). Knackered and lots of naps but OK in myself.

my biggest concern is that the drains are gone before I fly - last time I only had the drains for a couple of days and the liquid didn’t increase so I’m hopeful they will be taken out fairly quickly  did you find you recovered similarly after each op? 

Sounds like I can tentatively plan to be there - maybe! 

thank you 

Hi

Yes I recovered well after each op , and went on to have my implant removed and a Diep flap after a further 2 1/2 years , again recovered really well. I don’t think they like to keep the drains in for very long unless absolutely necessary so you will probably have had them out by then ? That’s probably you’re biggest unknown at present I guess ?

I think as long as you have everything  organised , and also know there may be a chance you can’t make it , you will be in a good position for your recovery.

Jo x

Hello, I have left mastectomy but no reconstruction and was on a plane 3 weeks after, 9 hour flight and had no issues. I was so pleased to be able to travel and see family, like you I didn’t do much just enjoyed being with people I hadn’t seen for a long time xx Hope that you get to enjoy the ️ and the wedding xx

Thank you. I checked BA and their policy just seems to be that you have to be fit to travel. 

My flight is tiny compared to a 9 hour one. Thank you for the positive vibes.