full mastectomy and lymp gland

i have my operation on the 29 march im so scared of wot im going to look like and of the operation bin very low the last few days is this normal love shaz xxx

Hi Shaz

I thought I would pop in to wish you well for your op, it is a scary thing but just remember that they will be removing all those nasty little cancer cells and you will be on the road to recovery soon after.

The actual operation and recovery really isn’t too bad, it will take you time to get used to your new look (unless you’re having immediate recon). Take things slowly and when you are ready to look in the mirror, then do it.

I found I could do most things normally just after the op and the exercises are important too. Don’t be surprised if you get some funny sensations in your arm, this is normal after lymph nodes are taken.

Good luck, let us know how it goes.

Hi Shaz,
I had my surgery on the 20th of February. Not a mastectomy due to having very large breasts, I expected to reduce my breasts by 1/3rd, but the reality is that I have gone from a DD / E cup to a B (maybe).
Before the surgery I was terrified, after the surgery dispondent. It took me two weeks to even look at my breasts. I hated my profile, my figure… everything.
4 weeks later and I am beginning to come to terms with my ‘new body’. I will need nipple reconstruction at a later date, and maybe a ‘tweek’ to make them more asthetically pleasing… BUT the cancer is gone and I love my body for getting me through the surgery.
Marguerite

Hi Shaz
I had a masectomy at the end of January after my first op failed to get any clear margins.
I must admit the new me was a shock and has taken me time to acccept.
I know that I will want to have reconstruction surgery at a later date (my surgeon wouldn’t do it at the time because I have to have radiotherapy after my chemo).
After the op the worst part for me was the drains. I was so pleased to get rid of them. Recovery afterwards was straightforward and I had full arm movement after about three weeks.
I did feel tired for about four weeks. I don’t know if this was the result if the two ops or just the emotional effect of all that had happened on such a short time. My advice would be to be kind to yourself. Organise lots of help and get lots of rest.

Hi

I had my mastectomy and full clearance two weeks ago (yesterday)9th March previously having lumpectomy and SNB (4 weeks prior). I was very apprehensive about it but to be honest the Op itself wasn’t that bad. I was only in hospital for overnight stay and came out with a drain (which is a nuisence more than anything else) No pain to speak of. Two weeks down the line still a bit sore, swollen and bruised around front, back and side. Arm stiff and tingly and I do have some pain when I keep it in the same postion for a while, but exercies help. I find showering helps a lot, I just let the warm water run over my body around two/three times a day and it seems to warm up the muscles, help with movement and generally make me feel better. I am now actually driving too (not far) but just toddling about - can’t do housework, cleaning or ironing - can cook but can’t lift stuff out of oven etc.
I Have managed to sort my comfie out now and am wearing it and it doesnt look that bad - no one has even noticed its not me! its lighter than a normal protheses so it tends to ‘ride high’ but adjustment of bra straps helps. I feel a bit lopsided when I walk and I am getting a bit of back ache I am sure its because I am over compensating for being unbalanced - I need to work on my posture and may try and get some physio sorted in the med to long term but at the moment I am just happy to have got rid of the cancer from my breast and lymph nodes.
All the best for your surgery I am sure it will be fine.
x

thank you all xxxxxxxxxxxxx

Good luck for Monday

Hope all goes well for you on Monday. I was scared stiff but found that it wasn’t as bad as I imagined. That was in 1989 and it is still looking good! Hope yours does too. Hugs coming your way, Val XX