Hi,
3 weeks ago I had a breast reduction so that it is more balenced with my reconstructed side. The nipple and the skin are constantly sore/ sensative, this is not particuarly the wound areas but all over. Can any of you advise me roughly how long this is going to last? I go back to work in 2 weeks and I am worried that I will not be able to manage wearing my “stiff” uniform and coping with the peripatetic nature of my job.
Many thanks
Jane x
Hi Jane
I didn’t have a reduction but I did have bilateral mastectomy. I recognise the sensation you are describing. The sensitivity was all over the front of my chest even though the scar area was numb. It started about 10 days after my op and lasted for about a month. It went away gradually until one day I realised it wasn’t there any more. I am sure yours will go away too. I think it is nerves regenerating themselves. I used to massage the area with bio oil. I don’t know if it helped but I felt at least I was doing something.
Hi Jane
I had a reduction and found healing and the skin getting back to normal took longer than my WLE 8 months earlier. I think the treatment post dx takes its toll on your system and other procedures take longer to settle down. Are you wearing any type of dressing on the skin? I can recomment mepilex dressings, they are very thin foam that are very slightly tacky on one side and just sit on the skin letting the skin breath but still protecting it from clothes or underwear rubbing. They are used for burns etc. The dressings are not cheap and you may get them on perscription but you can order them at any chemist but i can’t recommend them enough.
good luck with going back to work
rhian xx
Hi Yamslass,
Thanks for your post, I think its much like tooth ache in that you can only tollerate it for so long! I have been using aqueous cream and kelokote just like you not sure if waht I am doing is of any benefit but it helps to do something.
Jane x
Hi Rhian,
I haven’t been wearing any dressings but have bought a larger bra today and that seems to have helped.I find this journey presents you with one problem after another that you have to find a solution to. Its great to have others out there who have experienced what you are going through each step of the way.
Thanks
Jane x
do try the dressings if you can get them. its a different senario but my son had a 2nd rather large tattoe and bought the same dressings and skin was kept clean and didn’t irritate anywhere near as much as when he had had his first one.
rx
Hi Jane
I was very sore afterwards, couldn’t stand the sensation of any normal bras against my skin, but couldn’t go braless because my boob bounced (very painful) and clothes rubbing against me were also making me sore. The solution, suggested by bra fitter in John Lewis, was some lovely soft nursing bras by Bravado. They came with removable foam pads so I wore them without the pads at first when I was very sore, then put the pads in later on. I wore those bras from immediately after the BC surgery, through the reduction on the other side, and for several months afterwards. The bras didn’t provide a great deal of support, but they were sooooo comfortable!
Like yamslass I was advised to massage the area to help nerve regeneration. I also saw a physio who showed me how to massage the scar to help healing and reduce the lumpiness - it’s improved so much with that.
Sarah x