Mastectomy and Reconstruction

Hi Nif

Welcome to the forum and I am sorry to hear that your breast cancer has returned. While I’m not don’t have an answer for you I thought I’d reply to you to welcome you to the community. This reply will move you to the top of the discussion. Hopefully someone will be along shortly to give you the benefit of their wisdom.

wishing you the best of luck with your operation.

Best wishes

Daisy53

Thank you Daisy, that is kind of you. 

Hi Nif,

Sorry for late reply. I had a mastectomy and diep (tummy fat) reconstruction at the same time end of jan 2024.

The op was a long one. But the aftercare was phenomenal. I stayed in for 5days and for the 1st 24hours post op they monitored my new breast listening for a strong pulse, to make sure it was getting a good blood supply. This was done using a doplar (like wot they use to listen to baby's heart beat in pregnancy) every 2hours. Plus I had SEVERAL drains from the tummy, new breast and other side which I had minor surgery too. So these were checked and changed regularly. Plus a catheter and a drip painkiller

Cos of the painkillers, i was relatively comfortable, but was told to let them know if I was ever in discomfort or pain. Plus I had pill painkillers.

The day after the op the physios came to see me. Depending on how they feel you're doing, they show you how to sit up and stand up. Remember your tummy muscles will have been affected because they need to get a strong blood vessel not just the fat.

Not everyone reacts the same, but I was OK and just did what I was told... rested, exercised(only what they said and as much as they said) and postured in bed... stayed on my back with legs slightly raised and compression surgical socks (to keep circulation going).

Saying that... the 1st time I saw myself in the mirror (when I cud walk to the bathroom couple days post op), I burst into tears. I think it was a shock. Plus it looked worse then cos if the swelling, blood, stitches and tape all over your body. But I took photos regularly to remind myself and compare to see my progress. Now looking at the early ones... it wasn't that bad. I was just feeling very sensitive at the time. The nurses were great though. And it definitely improved ALOT.

When I went home I was told to stay sleeping on my back. That was a challenge as I'm a fidgeter and preferred sleeping on my front. But the best thing was what my sis did for me. She made me a variety of cushions. 

Some for in the car. So with velcro it attached to the diagonal strap across your chest, another longer sausage to cushion the seat belt across my tummy. MASSIVE help.

More cushions to put under my knees and legs to raise them in bed or on the sofa.

More cushions to put either side of me in bed they helped support my arms, making it more comfortable sleeping on my back, but also stopped me rolling over inadvertently whilst asleep. I slept in the spare room as it was just easier than sharing the bed with my husband who might inadvertently put his arm over a sore bit.

I also have a dog so she made me cushions to wear in case she jumped up. But she also made me a cushion like a small handbag to wear under my armpits (I had my lymph nodes removed, so was sore)... made a massive difference.

My recovery was several weeks. Occasionally I tried to push myself too far and so then learned from that and pulled back a little. 

Walking short (very short initially 5mins increasing by a couple of houses every day), was good and resting as much as possible. I also put some lining under my bed sheets in case I couldn't get to the toilet quick enough, cos everything has to be done slowly and steadily. During the day I wore sanitary towels for the same reason. Luckily I never had any accidents, but rather be prepared. 

It may all sound a lot, but if you do what they say and try to stay positive it really helps. I have my own dog bakery business, so couldn't cook or drive. So I had to accept no biz fir couple of months. But instead I used my time to do all the admin stuff. There's always something you can do. Friends walked my dog, cos I couldn't and my husband did the cooking and shopping whilst working. I was OK at home on my own, he just made me sandwiches and I just had plenty of water.

I know I've gone on alot, but I could probably say more. Any questions please ask. 

I'm not fully recovered only cos I'm awaiting further minor aesthetic surgery for both breasts. But because of the increase of breast cancer, mine isn't so urgent, so it's just a waiting game. Frustrating but understable.

Wish you all the best and talk to your BC about any concerns. Any questions now, later or after feel free to ask me... nothing off limits, so ask anything. 

Big hugs... you got this

Wow - how lovely are you taking the time to respond so fully. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate this. ♥️

I’m going to read this again when our guests have left and will get back with any queries. Thank you so much. XX

Hey there Ricepud, you have answered so many of the questions I had already, I am very grateful. I know everyone has different experiences, but could you tell me for you: 

- whether a bra which does up at the front was helpful post surgery

- how long before you could walk downstairs on your own - just thinking about letting the dog out for a wee and making myself a cup of tea

- how long before you could lift …. I currently look after my 2yr old Goddaughter a couple of times a week, would be good to give her mum an idea of how long because of her work commitments 

- how long before you could drive 

- would you recommend the diep over an implant 

- was it good to do both mastectomy and reconstruction at the same time?

Thank you so much. 

Hi Nif

Yup everyone is different. But for me:

A front fastening bra NOT underwired is a MUST. my hospital gave me one and it was crossed over at the back. My consultant was great at adjusting my straps to fit perfectly. He suggested sports bras for after without the padding... I still wear those - more comfortable.

My physio got me walking up and down a couple of steps whilst I was at hospital. So when I got home I could walk up and down on my own. But very slowly and only did it in the morning and night (luckily we have a toilet downstairs). It was hard but doable. 

I wouldn't be able to lift a baby for at least 8weeks. Probably 12weeks on the safe side. You probably didn't want to hear that. But defo not before 8weeks.

Driving I think was 12 weeks again. It was because if you needed to slam the brakes on, your stomach muscles couldn't cope with that. They said 8-12 weeks. I just didn't want to risk anything and set myself back so I waited 12weeks. DEFO get someone to make you padding for the seat belt.

I went for diep over implant because it grows or loses weight with your body and goes with gravity like ur other boob. But if you're having BOTH done I wud be tempted with implant as it's easier and both stay the same. I was told implants are numb. But actually the diep is largely numb too as is your tummy. I hope you don't mind me being straight to the point, but i was still sexually active with my husband and my breasts were very much part of that. It has had a big impact on that side of things, for various reasons - numbness, one fake incomplete diep boob, sensitive scarring on other boob. Plus I also notice (others prob dont), but my clothes show a slight nipple but nothing on the other side. I'm sorry it's not a straight one or the other. The other thing I recently thought. When I put on weight its on my tummy not my boobs. So now I have a boob with tummy fat, I wonder if that boob is putting on more weight than the other boob, or is it just my imagination... I m not sure.

I defo think it's better doing mastectomy and reconstruction at same time. The waiting list for reconstruction is getting longer and longer. Plus it means TWO recovery periods. But if done at same time...yes major surgery and long surgery with longer recovery, but only one recovery period and not waiting for a year or two for reconstruction. But that is my personal opinion. A friend of a friend came to visit me who had a mastectomy only, but decided after she wanted a reconstruction and had to wait 2years. And that was several years ago!!

Hope that helps. Sorry not a clear answer on some. It depends on your self image and relationships.  Feel free to ask more if needed.

Hugs 

Hello Ricepud,

Thank you again for all of your answers and information. You are very kind to take the time to go through all my questions.  It really helps me visualize and prepare for what is to come, it will also help me know what questions to ask when I see my consultant in a couple of weeks. 
it was the numbness, difference in boobs (I’m only scheduled for the one) and possible future problems with implant that made me think diep would be best. I can talk it through with BC - we have an hour’s appt to discuss it all on 17th. 
I can sew, so I’d best get creating I guess!! 
Thanks again and hope 2025 starts better than 2024 for you + hope you get your surgery soon to complete your recovery. XX

Hi Nif , you’ve had very comprehensive answers from Ricepud which I broadly agree with but just took say everyone can react differently. I am a single parent and dog owner and not good with sharing my space, which meant I didn’t make it easy for people to help me  the first two weeks were very challenging, I didn’t get out of pyjamas for most of that, I was very slow on my feet and couldn’t do tasks that required bending over like the dishwasher and needed help walking the dog for a few weeks. But I could get up and down the stairs and could let the dog out during that time, it wasn’t comfortable but I could do it. I could make a cuppa for myself, etc. even though I was sent home with 3 drains still in. I took full advantage of painkillers!! I’m not saying it didn’t hurt and challenge me to do things but I could do them. I started walking the dog after a couple of weeks but accompanied by a rota of friends. Regards exclusively looking after a small child, you’ll not be able to pick her up for a long while, it very much depends on how easy a child she is. I returned to my very physical primary school job after 12 weeks and I think I could’ve looked after one easy child, no lifting, after about 8 weeks. I was told as soon as I could do an emergency stop I could drive, as I recall I started driving after about 5 /6 weeks and also had cushions on the seatbelt as described. My daughter was 12 so didn’t need lifting, etc. I have never regretted the diep, yes my boobs are different and I’m about to have tattoos to help disguise that, but in my clothes I look as ‘normal’ and I’m grateful for the flatter tummy despite the significant scar. My nipple reconstruction was done a year after the diep. You’ll be given a front fastening bra after surgery and I had another one that I got from M&S. I hope that helps, good luck x

Thank you for your reply Anna - this is so helpful as well to build up the picture. 
PJS are definitely the way forward afterwards and I have treated myself to a new front opening nightshirt  for my hospital stay + M&S front fastening bra. 

Good to know the dog can have his wee breaks and I should be able to make tea. I’d best get sewing now while i can!!

All the best and thank you again. 

No problem. The main thing is be kind to yourself and allow yourself to rest, and do the exercises they tell you. Whatever emotions you feel, don't hold them in. Some folk I've read on here kept a journal to help them deal with their emotions and track of what they were doing.

Defo loose pyjamas or lounge pants... its all about the comfort. And defo take the painkillers at home (don't be a,martyr, you will have enough to cope with and you can reduce them later on).

I was told with an implant because it wouldn't grow with the other one, I could come back to get it adjusted whenever needed. But the reality now is that it is so low down on the priority list for ops, chances are you will have to wait a long time each time. Plus do you want to keep going in? (but they wud only be day ops whilst ur awake, so no major recovery). The initial reconstruction is a longer recovery, that's one of the reasons why I opted for both at same time. One recovery not two and not waiting for reconstruction. The waiting for an unknown date makes it difficult to plan things. 

Big hugs