I’ve just got my operation appointment & it’s in 2 weeks time! I’m having bilateral mastectomy using LD flap and implants.
I had breast cancer 11 years ago at 27yrs and have BRCA1 genetic fault, so I’ve decided to now go for it - reduce my risk and the need for annual MRI and mammograms and move forward.
Has anyone on here had their operation at Addenbrookes or had Mr Irwin as their surgeon?
Also, any advice on what I should take to hospital? I’m guessing I won’t need bras and maybe just take button-up or zip-up tops? They’ve said to expect a 7-day stay…wow…that’s a long time!
Hi, S
Some reassurance - I had a bilateral mastectomy with DIEP reconstruction two years ago at Addenbrookes, and I thought the care was superb. Different surgeon, but I know of someone else who had the same op as me, with Mr Irwin, and it was very successful. I know how daunting it is, and it is a big op, so it is hard, but worth it. I too am BRCA1, and had BC on one side, and it is a great relief not to have to worry about the other side.
You definitely need easy front-opening tops, and I think you might need bras as well - do you have contact with a specialist nurse at Clini 7, who could tell you? When I was there, it was Lisa Newbery, who was completely wonderful - she visited each day after the op, and was never in too much of a hurry to answer your questions, and was brilliant at translating what the surgeons had said, and providing endless, endless reassurance. Believe her - in my experience, she was always right!
I will be thinking of you, and hoping it goes very well for you.
P.
Thanks so much for the reassurance! I’ve met Lisa at one of my appointments and it’s good to hear that she’ll be around the ward. Did you have a room of your own? How long did you stay for?
I had been given 2 weeks notice of my date and then with 10 days to go, had it cancelled. They called me again yesterday and offered me this Thursday (3 days notice), but I had to dec;ine because it was with a different surgeon that I haven’t met before & I wasn’t comfortable with that. My new date is the first week in January, so I now have time to soert out everything at home and get the chance to ask everyone to get me for PJs for christmas!
They said I’d need to go in the night before and also about 10 days before for a pre-admission appointment. That’ll be when it really starts to get scary!