I had a Mx and recon to my left breast on 5th May. I had a drain in for 3 weeks which was annoying but all along I feel I can’t complain because I didn’t have to endure chemo. I had a mild reaction to the Strattice called red breast syndrome and was a matter of that’s normal. This has now been worsening and came up in allergic lumps the other which itched so much it was worse than pain. Again ‘nothing to worry about’ It feel I can’t complain, my reconstruction is ‘so good’… But I hurt, my breast swells still (the bowling ball crushing chest feeling) comes and goes, I have swelling to the side preventing me from lowering my arm, I get a wired dip in my chest. I have a lovely nurse and a great consultant so I feel I shouldn’t complain because they seem so pleased.
Sorry to moan but feeling low
It’s very early days yet, I had this op in Feb and had to stay reclined to avoid pain for about 6 weeks, just building up my standing/walking gradually. By 8 weeks I was able to walk much further but the recon still aches at times even now and apparently will do for up to a year! Persevere with the stretches once they say you can do them as they really help get the movement back in your underarm, I can stretch up straight now but it still pulls a bit. I’m pleased with the shape but it does feel strange and I think probably always will. I’m less aware of it most of the time now though. I have a few bobbly bits which apparently are the stitches which haven’t dissolved yet. Are you on antibiotics for the reaction to the strattice? If you’re worried make sure you go back and see surgeon , I got paranoid about firmness and thought he would tell me not to worry but he put me on antibiotics, think that was at about 3/4 weeks post op. Hope this helps, I struggled to find anyone who had had this op to talk to, till I went on here! Hope things settle down for you soon. Xx