After waiting for over 2 years I had a cancellation date a week ago and am going in for surgery on 4 Jan.
As it has been Christmas I haven’t had too much time to think about it but have bought quite a few pairs of PJ’s and am now wondering if I will end up wearing them? I’ve been told I will lay flat for 2 days following surgery.
Can anyone give advice and tips on recovering after such massive surgery?
Hi, this is the first post I have commented on although I have regularly looked through the forums for advice since my diagnosis in October. I had a mastectomy on 15th November with immediate tram flap recon, so exactly 6 weeks ago. I went from diagnosis to operation really quickly and it was all bit whirlwind but I am the sort of person to do research and wanted to know and do everything possible to make the experience , if you can call it that, as easy as possible. And I have to say, I think I was really really lucky. I did have a fantastic surgeon, but I went into hospital really positive, I was determined to stay focussed and chirpy and apart from one morning, day 3 I think when I was tearful I did. I took my laptop into hospital and stayed up the night before the op watching laugh out loud comedy, thankfully I had my own room so didn’t disturb anyone else. My main ‘tips’ to get you through post op and your stay in hospital would be: arnica, definitely! I saw a homeopath who recommended a strong dose of 200c, the stuff you buy from the chemist is usually 6c or 30c. You can get it online, I took it the day before the op and told the nurses that I wanted to be given it asap after the op when I was awake enough. I took it for the whole time I was in, 7 days and still when I got home. Also, drink as much as you can!! Even with an iv drip flushing fluid through me I forced myself to drink at least another 2 liters a day, it reall flushes the antibiotic through you quicker and gets the dreaded drains out faster. I had 6 drains, 2 were removed on day 3 the rest on day 5. I also took a natural anti inflammatory called bromelaine, it is an enzyme extracted from pineapples, look it up on the Internet, very interesting. I cleared it with my surgeon first and he was happy for me to take it. I really think it helped. I didn’t like the morphine, only used it for about 36 hrs intermittently and managed fine on paracetamol and diclofenac. I stayed off caffeine, and took some herbal teas with me, don’t know if you like them or not, but I found a great one with Ginger and turmeric, and I took some manuka honey too, Great as I got a stinking cold on day 5, but all these things, natural remedies I believe really really helped me. I was quite fit before my op which helped as well I think. But I had no problems and my new boob is settling down really well, I am using rosa mosqueto oil on my scars and that is great too. Sorry to harp on, hope it’s not too boring… What I really wanted to say was, I went in open minded and determined to do as much as I could to heal myself in the quickest time possible…so far so good…the worst bit by far for me was the 5 days sat upright in bed, on an inflatable air mattress supposed to adjust to your body’s position and regulate every 10 mins or so…only mine wasn’t working properly but no one realized till day 4… By then my lower back was totally numb and I had a bed sore on my bum from sitting in the dip for so long!!! And I did need oral morphine to have my drains removed, first lot hurt like hell, but I’d had no pain relief for 4 hrs, 2nd lot removed a doddle with some hazy drugs first!! I wish you all the very best with your op… Try and stay positive, lots of deep breathing…and don’t forget to move your legs about as much as possible…if you have any more questions and I haven’t sent you to sleep with my long essay feel free to ask… My next hurdle is chemo which I start on 12 th Jan…eek !! By the wa are you having diep or tram??? Best of luck and think good thoughts…I really think it helps. Best wishes Sarah …
Hi Sarah
Thank you for your reply, your herbal remedies sound good but unfortunately with Christmas and New Year in between and only finding out just over a week ago that I was going in for the op I haven’t much time to get things, however, I’m in the UK at the moment (normally live in france and that is where I will be having the op) I will have a look around to see what I can get. I’ve seen Bio-oil in Boots which i’ve read is very good to help the healing process.
I don’t think I will be allowed to eat or drink anything for the first 2 days, my surgeon said rejection could be a possibility so it is up to him when he allows me to.
I don’t know yet if it will be a DIEP or TRAM because the surgeon says he decides on the day! My surgeon seems to have a very good reputation in France and has a 95% success rate, so I think that is good odds.
Good luck with your continuing recovery.
P x