7 months post mastectomy with immediate reconstruction

Hi MandyFiona, I had the same surgery as you and I am having exactly the same sensations as you, but I am about 4 weeks post surgery. My new breast is quite hard and a bit flat. I was told this will improve over the next couple of months. I think your surgeon/nurse should be able to give you more information about what could be done about improving your symptoms, don't hesitate to ask them for more information and help! 

Lana xx 

Hi Lana

Thank you for reaching out. My breast felt quite hard following surgery to so that is quite normal. I saw a speciality doctor the other day and there is nothing that can be done about the different sensations/pains I’m experiencing. I’m hoping it’s just signs of my body still recovering so I’m remaining hopeful that things will improve and eventually my breast will just feel normal again. I’m now on a waiting list to have a fat graft. 

I wish you all the best in your recovery Lana.

Best wishes

Mandy

Hi - I am 5 months post surgery and still have a lot of discomfort in my new breast. Have brought numerous bras in the hope one will be comfortable and ease the discomfort but no luck so far. Hopefully it’s just something that will take time.xx

Thank you for your message. It really is a long recovery isn’t it. I wear sports bra. Regular bras no longer fit. I did go for a bra fitting and found out I’m different cup sizes now. I recently bought comfy crop tops from Next (pretty much sports bra’s) and a few months ago crop tops from M&S and these are so comfy. I hope this helps and good luck with your recovery. 

Thanks for this.I’ve heard other people say sports bras are good so am going to order some. It’s really quite uncomfortable apart from in bed or if just sitting down. Hopefully this is all normal and it will settle down in time. Good luck to you too.xx

Hi MandyFiona

I had mastectomy and immediate implant back in Nov 22. My nipple was also removed

I agree with you the recovery took much longer than 6 to 8 weeks. I was off work for 4 months.

My new breast still aches at the top and is mostly numb and cold. If I vaccuum or do gardening it hurts for a few days after. Now and again I get shooting pains which I assume are nerve endings. There is also a big ripple in mine near my cleavage and sometimes a visible big blue vein above the scar

I suppose I have just learnt to accept this as I havent seen anyone at the hospital since 2 weeks after my op and wont be called until Nov 24.

On the uo side in clothing you cannot tell I have an implant. 

I hope all our new boobs settle with time. X

Thank you for your message. Yes I forgot to mention how cold my left breast is now to. Apparently a fat graft can help with that. I was on maternity leave when I had my surgery so was already off work. My in-laws helped with my baby to because I couldn’t lift her for a long time. So the aching and shooting pains is normal then. I really hope it improves as the months and years go by. Yes I’ve heard the shooting pains are the nerves firing up. I’m hopeful one day I might start to get sensation back in my skin. Like you I have rippling and I can feel the implant underneath. I can actually press it. I feel the skin is very thin down there which does worry me. I’m surprised you haven’t been seen for follow ups. I was seen last week for a follow up and and have another one next February and will have yearly mammograms from now on until 50. 
It is amazing what they can do these days. My consultant told me that 20 years ago a reconstruction would not have been possible so I am thankful. I can live with the pain, it would just be nice to know it will get better. I will you all the best with your long term recovery. It’s nice to talk to people who are going through the same. My mum had DCIS and invasive DCIS but she had a lumpectomy and so our recovery has been very different.