Mastectomy to expanders

Thank you for answering my questions. I’m so glad to hear you’re out the other side and feeling good! I’m definitely reassured by hearing how well you have managed. I will also have drains in for a week and I moved the baby out of my room last week to prepare for the insomnia. I’m a terrible sleeper when I’m not as active as usual, my husband has even set a bed up in the baby’s room so I can recover in peace and watch tv/read if I can’t sleep. 
Thank you so much for sharing your story. You have really put my mind at ease.

Helen

My husband also slept in the spare room whilst I had drains/insomnia. It meant I could fling the drains either side of the bed to help with the drainage and I could watch tv in the night which helped me not mind the insomnia so much (I recommend virgin river for nice and light, easy tv)

Thank you  I will give it a go.

Hi 

I had my double mastectomy with tissue expanders on Wednesday so am now 4 days post op. Thank you for all your advice before hand as it settled my nerves well.

have you got a date yet for your implant insertion? I’m just trying to find some info on it. I’m wondering is the surgery as extensive and will I need drains? How long will the recovery be? I know I’m getting ahead of myself, but I like to be aware of everything I will need! 

Helen

Hi Daisy06

1. just checking in. Have you got a date for surgery yet? 
   Helen

Hi Helen, thanks for the message. I have my surgery planned for 3rd October so a couple of weeks. Torn between wanting it to hurry up and feeling so exhausted after chemo that I feel I need a rest. 

How did surgery go for you? I hope it all went really well and you’re not in too much discomfort. If you have any tips for recovery or things that you’ve got that have been useful then I’d love to know.

I had an appointment with my surgeon on Friday and I’m losing my nipples too. He said that I’ll probably hate the way it looks until we start filling the expanders, which might not be until January as I have to have radiotherapy! Can’t say that filled me with joy!

Hi Helen,

I am waiting to see if i need chemo as chemo has to come first apparently. If I don’t then my consultant seems happy to do this soon (I’m 7 weeks post surgery - but I has a double therapeutic mammoplasty 6 weeks before the mastectomy so you may be quicker). He has said it’s not major surgery (w  hi inch I assume means no drains!), albeit it is with a general anaesthetic - they go in through the existing scars, take the expanders out, put implants in (he said they’d then sit me up to see which size looks best!) - then sew up and  all done. I will need nipple tattoos after but I understand that’s just local anaesthetic. 

Daisy06 that’s not too far away. The

time will fly and you’ll be out the other side before you know it! I would recommend getting a mastectomy pillow for the car also I wore button down satin pjs- the button down made it easier to access the wounds/drains and the satin made it easy to move in the hospital bed. Also post op bras, my breast nurse provided these but I had to pay for them. Everything went really well for me, I was kept in because I had a bad day with my bowels so I had surgery Wednesday and only got home yesterday. I think they also wanted me to stay until I was really ready to go due to having a 6 month old. I think something else important is remembering to rest. I was doing things like trying to wash myself without help- accept the help. A simple basin wash does exhaust you! Mine don’t actually look too bad. I’m not completely flat it’s just an adjustment. I don’t hate them although I’ve yet to see them without nipples/dressings.

looks like mine will be 6 months down the line so end of March. All depends on whether I need radio/chemo but they’re very hopeful the surgery will be all I need. Here’s hoping for that anyway! I’ll keep all crossed that you don’t need chemo.

Helen x

That’s great that it all went well for you. What type of expanders do you have? As I have to have radiotherapy, I’ve got expanders where the ports will apparently be just under the skin underneath and to the side of the expanders, remote rather than part of the actual expander. The BCN has warned me that I’ll find them uncomfortable!

I have motiva flora expanders- I was given the Info for them from the surgeon after having them. It’s still too early to see how uncomfortable they are. They do feel strange but I don’t hate them. Have a look on their website as they have a good bit of info. 
Helen