Single mastectomy

Hello Scouse4 

I can't answer your question as I had a lumpectomy, but you query has dropped to the second page, so I'm reply to boost your post back to the first page in the hope that another lady who's had a mastectomy can give you some advice.

Kindest  Wishes, Lesley

Hi   thank you so much xxx hope u doing well xx

Hi Scouse4, sorry to hear that you have had to go through so many surgeries. I had a mastectomy of the right breast with a diep flap reconstruction, three weeks ago. I also had 20 lymph nodes removed, thankfully none showed any sign of cancer. I have been doing the exercises several times a day and my mobility in my arm is almost back to normal. I did buy a mastectomy pillow, which has been useful when travelling in the car.i also bought some post op bras from m&s that fasten at the front, I would definitely recommend these. I bought a long handled netted body puff to use in the shower, this was definitely agood buy. One other thing was a little cushion for armit that goes under clothes, to make things more comfortable after lymph nodes are taken. I wish you well on your upcoming surgery. Xx

Thank you daisy24;I hope you doing ok.whst bra did u wear coming home am coming home the same day .did u have drains? Am not getting reconstruction yet.dud u sleep in a recliner.sorry for all the questions just trying to get prepared. Thank you for replying xxx

Hi Scouse4, do not worry about asking questions, we are all here to help each other. I am doing really well thank you, only issue is a small part of tummy wound hasn't healed yet, which means weekly trips to the hospital. I stayed in hospital for 5 days, so my drain was removed before I left. I know of others ladies who have come home with their drains in though. I bought a post surgery dressing gown from Asda that was only about £16, it has pockets on the inside for drains. For the 5 days in hospital I didn't wear a bra. This was due to the fact they had to check the blood vessels in the reconstructed breast were functioning OK. I did wear one coming home though. I slept in bed propped up with a v shaped pillow as soon as I came home. This has worked really well for me. I do slide down the bed at times, but haven't tried to turn over once, even though I'm usually a side sleeper. Good luck with your surgery, hope all goes well. Xx

I’m off for a mastectomy and reconstruction on the 21st so I’m following this thread scouse4…I bet you feel a bit battered from all that you’ve been through, I hope you are ok.  I have made myself a drain holder sort of like a pinny with pockets, but you can get them on Etsy and Amazon. The nurse went through everything I would need during my preop…including support pants and mastectomy bra.  

I had a single mx without reconstruction (had that previously but the beast recurred,  snuck under the implant) in May, because of the amount of surgery planned I was given a front opening bra and softie carefully measured so that it could provide firm pressure against the expected swelling. No drain (in fact my surgeon later was surprised at the bruising afterwards, she’d said I was ‘dry’ when they closed). I had a haematoma drained about a week or ten days later but nothing more, no problems. 
keep up your shoulder movements, especially if you’re going to go through radiotherapy. 

Hugs xxx

Hi Scouse4 

My situation is similar to yours, dcis, one wle and two weeks ago i had a single right mx and 4 sln removed. No recon. Overnight hosp stay and discharged with one drain which I had to deal with myself which was ok. Drain a bit of a nuisance, hospital gave me a bag to wear. Drain came out day 7 and immediately felt better. I thought about a v shape pillow but managed with ordinary pillows, sleeping semi upright. Didn't bother wearing a bra til after the drain came out. Front button tops/pjs for the first week or so and a little heart shaped cushion to help with sore arm pit. Was dreading it, imagined I'd be incapacitated for days but was able to do simple tasks like make a cuppa next day. Once drain was out started wearing bra. Ive found m and s body soft suited me, back fastening but I always twist my bras around anyway. I also bought m and s breast form as shape suited me better than the amoena softie given by hospital which was too pert!. Only needed paracetamol for abt 3 days. Do the exercises though. They really helped arm mobility quite quickly. All the best x

I had a single left breast mastectomy and 2 lymph nodes removed at the beginning of September. Stayed in overnight as I live on my own. Came home the next day and made scrambled eggs on toast for breakfast. Felt a little discomfort but fine other than that. Had a drain but was given a donated open messenger back to keep it in. Managed to pull it out while in hospital but nurse showed me how to change the tube. Also managed to sit on the tube a a couple of times too!

Drain was taken out after 6 days. Developed a seroma (fluid accumulation) and nerve ending pain which I'm still struggling with. I hear more stories of people who sail through the aftermath on only a few paracetamol! 

Take something to do at the hospital as you may be waiting a good few hours. Take a thick cardigan as it could be cold in the waiting room/ward. Take open fronted clothing in case you have difficulty raising your arms to put things over your head. I shopped for 2 week's food and stocked the freezer. I got favourite hobby stuff together as I knew I wouldn't be able to drive anywhere for 2 weeks and would need to keep myself occupied. Call the breast care nurses if you're worried about anything post surgery; don't just think you're being a wimp or a nuisance. 

Hope all goes well for you.

Thank you x