Bilateral mascetomy with reconstruction

Hi all I have a double mastectomy and reconstruction next week with implants - hoped key hole - just wondered if anyone had had the same and has any advice? Thanks x

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Hi @suzy72 I hope you’re feeling ok ahead of your surgery next week.

I hope another forum member will have an experience they can share with you. In the meantime, you can have a look around for similar conversations using the search button in the top right hand side of the the forum page.

Have you spoken to one of our specialist nurses before? They’re here to support you with clinical questions or for a chat. You can get in touch with them here on the forum on the Ask our Nurses your questions board or on our helpline 0808 800 6000 which is open Monday to Friday 9am-4pm and 9am-1pm Saturday.

We’re thinking of you,
Lucy

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Hi there. Good luck for next week. I had unilateral mastectomy and reconstruction on Thursday 10/7 so day 6 today. The lady in the next room had a double but seems to have shared my experience so far.

The boob is painless and the stomach is just very tight indeed. I can walk up and down the stairs without pain and pretty much upright once I’m up. Getting up is the hardest bit and straightening up.

The biggest problem for me has been nausea and bloating from all the meds. I had a delicate stomach anyway so this has been the worst bit really.

Feel free to ask any questions you have. Xx

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Thank you so much for responding and I hope each day gets better for you xx how are you coping with the drains /. That helps as my stomach isn’t good after chemo so good to know :kissing_heart:

Hi Suzy. No problem.

I’m dreading needing chemo for that reason. But we’ll park that for now!

The drains were removed in hospital on day 3 (one side) and day 4. I am really squeamish so didn’t like seeing the bottles so just covered them up but they were no bother and painless to remove. Apparently it hurts less if they do a vacuum thing an hour or 2 before. (Didn’t feel that).

Tip would be to request to start the laxative meds early enough as it seemed to be hit and miss with that and me and my buddy both suffered uncomfortable constipation (although she was on it earlier and on more than me and still struggled).

I was better once they took me off the opioids so if nausea is a problem you could try to come down to just paracetamol and ibuprofen (they offered codene but I didn’t want it). Maybe have wind relief tablets if they’ll let you take it to stop the bloating and nausea that the laxatives and gas they use can cause.

Sorry!! I should say I had a DIEP flap after single mastectomy not implants. We were in for 4 nights. Sorry should have read it better.

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This is prefect such useful
Advice - did you use any special cushions or carriers for the drains?

I’m glad it’s helpful. I was given pretty drain bags by a private hospital but they were in my suitcase and I couldn’t get to bend down to it due to my tummy surgery!

I wasn’t really very mobile due to my dizziness but the first time I walked the nurse carried them for me. The next time I think I only had one in and he carried that. Then I was free of all by my 3rd walk. You will be more mobile without the tummy business hopefully so the bags would be helpful to you I would think.

I didn’t need any cushion for under arm as no incision and the breast is not painful. Stinging a bit now (on the skin rather than internally) but still not using one.

PS still suffering with bloating and nausea so not sure what the answer is there. Gut needs rebalancing I guess after the medication onslaught. Milk is helping a bit. Any tips you had on helping with this through chemo welcomed xx sorry you had to go through that.

Thanks so useful - I used lots of Imodium- which I know isn’t a solution - my appetite was really effected so I ate little and often I also ate a lot of eggs - as it was the only thing I fancied but I do think that helped stopped my diarrhoea. Too much info - I am still eating plain food no spices and nothing too rich - I am sure this is not perfect advice but just my experience xx

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Hi Suzy
How are you doing? Hope the op went well and you are recovering well too x

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Unfortunately I picked up an infection and got put on antibiotics so the op has been postponed to next Thursday - how are you doing? I ordered some cushions - thanks xx