Hi to all,
Had mx and LD recon last Friday. 4 nights in Hosp, we pains for a private room at, and following, NHS surgery. This helped a lot I think. The op took longer than expected but done now.
Last Drain out today which has helped improve my mood a lot! Not too sore but I am keeping myself topped up.
X
Hello Lovely Ladies :0)
I had a left mx and LD flap reconstruction on 24th June, so now two weeks post op. I was completely terrified prior to the op, more the thought of being ‘under’ for six hours rather than the pain. Immediately after the operation I was monitored hourly and the wounds checked especially my new areola made with a circle of skin from my back. They were looking to see that the blood supply which now comes from the back muscle was still pumping which thankfully it was. I was a smoker which means there is a slightly higher risk of breakdown of tissue due to the narrowness of my blood vessels. I had two front drains and one back drain which were painful for the first couple of days but managed with pain relief. I was provided with a PCA morphine pump but I’d had one of these following a previous operation a few years ago and new that I didn’t like it. I was given oramorph instead along with codeine, nuerofen and paracetamol. After the first couple of days I took only paracetemol and nuerofen. If you are prescribed codeine, BE WARNED…it makes you so blocked up you just wouldn’t believe it! My two front drains were removed on day four, and the back drain on day six the day I went home. Since coming home, I am slowly recovering and today ventured to the doctors and went with my daughter for some retail therapy, which did me no end of good. Slow but sure…I’m listening to my body and if I need to rest I do, if I feel I’m up to pottering about I do that too. I’ve developed an addiction to Midsomer Murders which sometimes causes me to snooze off on the sofa! The pain has been slight, more a feeling of tightness and constriction from my back round to the front. I have also had seroma which was drained for the first time on Tuesday by the BCN at the hospital along with removal of the dressings. This was completely painless, and all I had to do was sit still and sign a consent form. I was surprised at how much fluid drained off, but what a relief for a few hours afterwards. I have developed a superficial infection at the front which is being treated with anti-biotics so I’m trying not to worry too much. My first post op appointment with my surgeon is on Tuesday and that will be good for some reassurance and for me to ask some questions. I didn’t receive much advice when I was discharged from the hospital and was unsure what to expect. It would have been useful to have been given a leaflet or some written information on how to look after the wound e.g. should you shower?, how much swelling to expect, what the seroma will look like, when will it need to be drained, when to call the hosptial…stuff like that.
Anyway, I’ve started the exercises and long for the day when I can lift my arm over my head without worrying its all going to fall apart (me being paranoid lol), and to be able to sleep on both sides. I’m sure it will happen soon enough. I do have days when I wonder if I have done the right thing and I feel very tearful, but I suppose this is only natural. To welcome my new boob I’ve called her my Whammy Pammy and to be honest I think she’s going to look ok in the near future. I’ve tried to introduce Whammy Pammy to my old remaining boob but she’s hanging too low for any contact between them!! lol.
Please stay positive all of you, try not to be too scared, I know thats difficult sometimes, and if you want to know anything more about the operation or have any questions, just ping me and I’ll do my best to support you.
Take care, love and BIG hugs x x x
Hi all:))))
Gilly, mandy and scaco glad your ops went well:)
Nearly 5 weeks on from my mx and ld recon i am feeling fine. I am getting movement back in my arm, still got a numb area on my back that i have been told wont come back. I think the nerves are waking up/re-joining or whatever it is they do, feels like little electric shocks. My scars are nearly all healed, just one side of my disc that is a bit scabby. Have all scars covered with micropore, and am wearing my old bras with the wire removed on one side. Going on holiday soon, had huge bikini crisis, i just looked stupidly wonky, but have found some bandeaus in primark with a hidden support so can put my padding in those and look less wonky, plus i cover my tummy up too.
I am still quite emotional, feel so lucky to have my new boob, but overwhelmed with the tamoxifen and rads to come.
Hugs to all
kerry xx