Tips and advice for mastectomy

Amazing!! I’m glad you passed with flying colours. Thanks for the update xx

Hi Venicelagoon 

heres the link 

https://images.app.goo.gl/p7X8Ufokd25T8PzW8

but do give your BCN a ring and check you ok to do them . Sounds as if it's ok but I don't know when you had op and was lymph nodes involved I had single MX and sentinel node . 

Inwas given leaflet by BCN recommendation was easy exercises until surgeon check ,usually two weeks then to move on to advanced .

Always with the advice of not to overdo and cause too much pain . 

I actually found that to do them eased the discomfort especially the walk the wall one 

good luck  

Hi I had my mastectomy on Tuesday. There was very little pain and I was home the same day. I didn't have the reconstruction either preferring a quicker recovery. Apart from a drain that I have to drag around I feeling pretty ok. Good luck with yours and keep in touch. xxx

Hi MAL70

Glad to hear that your operation went well and that you are doing ok.

Best wishes and take care.

Daisy53

Hi MAL70. That’s amazing you feel okay! I also wanted a quicker recovery with having an almost two year old. They’ve also said I will hopefully be home the same day too as my surgery is at midday. Hopefully you heal nice and quick! Take care of yourself xx 

That's really useful. I had op 24/5, therapeutic mammoplasty one side and mastectomy plus implant plus both sentinel nodes. Was doing really well, then unexpected faint, so lost confidence but back on track now. Thrown the plan a bit out of the window, unintentionally. Putting one arm behind back was difficult but gets easier every day. A new little challenge thrown up every day. Been a bit up and down with me, but persevering. 

I had my single mastectomy last Friday. All went well and I came home the next day with two delightful drains. A good pair of cotton pj's is a godsend. When I go to bed I tuck my drain bag down the bttoms and tuck the top in too. Stops you worrying about catching them when you sleep. Had no pain but my back aches because of sleeping on my back. Listen to your body. When you want to sleep, do it. Loose tops great. Did not have reconstruction. Also not worn a bra yet. My remaining boobie can remain free. Good luck with everything and I just keep thinking that I would rather be without my boobi then keep it with the two large tumors in it. Sending virtual hugs to you and all the brave ladies on this site .

Hi B32,

i didn’t  find it that bad, could do light cooking after a few days. I was tired the day after surgery. Took my painkillers regularly. It was the tightness from the pelvis up to the neck where they remove a lot of skin and rejoined it, took a while to stretch out but, I massaged it ribs/neck from day 2 and once the scar healed massaged that and used silicone gel on the  scar as I am prone to keloids but 7 weeks on looks amazing. My node clearance gave me nerve tightness but all the exercises have massively improved that and I massaged my armpit too so got rid of the cording (look at YouTube for the Australian breast physio- she is brilliant), Once my drains were out I was back walking 3 miles and progressed up (fit beforehand so that helps). Did 5 miles on  cross trainer 2 days ago with no ill affects. I did develop a seroma that had to be drained 4 times but as soon as I could wear a tight bra with the proper prosthesis rather than the softie (4weeks) that has compressed it and stopped it coming back. Good luck for your surgery.

Hi Squeeze1958, I’m glad you’re doing okay. I feel much better for reading comments like this. I have some snazzy new cotton pjs for hospital so that’s good! I’m not a pj wearer but can’t sleep nuddy in hospital if I have to stay over ha ha. Good tip for the drains, I did wonder what it would be like sleeping with them. I am prepared for how tired I could be, my husband will be home to have the little one. Sending you hugs too and I hope you have a speedy recovery xx

Hi Kaey, a lot of people have said to keep up with that painkillers so I will definitely do that. I’m glad you felt okay. Thanks for the YouTube recommendation too. I haven’t been given my exercises yet but they said I will so I will make sure I do them. Anything for a quick recovery. I have been told I will have a post surgery bra to wear at home. I have bought a soft post surgery bra for my softie so I’m prepared for that. Sounds like you’re doing amazing. Thanks for your comment. Take care xxx