Bilateral Mastectomy with immediate Recon

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Hi all

I’m due to have a bilateral mastectomy on the 4th September with an immediate recon - trams flap I think if thats the one from your stomach. Following this I will then be having radiotherapy - all at addenbrookes hospital.

I’ve just completed 8 cycles of chemo (4 x EC, 4 x tax) and i’ve known for a while that this would be the likely next step but now its nearly here I’m like EEK!

Can any of you ladies out there answer a few questions that are whirling round my brain at the mo.

How long am I likely to be in hospital for and how was it for you? Also, how long did it take you to recover afterwards and what should I expect.

If you had rads after you’re mx and recon, how soon afterwards did it start.

Anyone else had their op at addenbrookes?

Thanks very much for reading. This site has been an absolute godsend during chemo. Don’t know what I’d done without it!!

Take care x

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Hi VioletTiger,

Sorry to hear about your planned treatment. I had bilateral mx and immed recon in May, but I had expander implants rather than the tram flap so can’t help specifically on this type of recon - I’m sure there are some threads under the ‘Reconstructive Surgery’ section which will help.

But I wanted to say a few things about bilateral mx. Most of the information/exercises I was given were for one mx e.g. use your unaffected arm to carry bags - but with bilateral you don’t have an unaffected side! I found the only way to sleep was flat on my back/or half sitting up - both uncomfortable - a big help for me was a V pillow to get into a comfortable position. I was told not to raise arms above shoulder height for the first few weeks - it helps to rearrange things you use often at home on lower shelves. I needed help with nearly everything really, washing my hair, dressing, making a cup of tea, I was in hospital for 6 days (I think it would be longer for tram flap) and had 8 weeks off work. I was able to drive in week 6.

I hope the waiting time passes for you quickly - it is so hard.

Best Wishes
Misha

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Hi Misha

Thanks very much for your tips - think I may try and buy a V pillow. Hadn’t thought about not raising my arms above shoulder height so the rearranging of shelves before the op is a great tip.

Wishing you all the best in your recovery

Julie

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Julie

I haven’t had a reconstruction, but it was just good to hear from someone else in the Addenbrookes area. I only had my radiotherapy there though. You have also had the same chemo regime as me.

Good luck

Pauline