Hey everyone, I was just looking for some advice hopefully. I’m 27, was diagnosed in June this year, started chemo in July and just about to finish this week. I saw my surgical consultant and plastic surgeon this week, I was hoping for a WLE as its shrunk but apparently not enough and not good enough margins so a mastectomy it is. She’s suggested a skin sparing one with a temporary implant and then ill have radiotherapy (not been decided on the amount of sessions yet). Not def decided about node clearance yet, I had a SNB which showed 1 out of the 3 they removed was positive but they said because I had chemo first I might not need them all removed.
Any advice on what I should do before/expect after? I’m worried about recovery, how long ill be in hospital for, how the drsins feel and how uncomfortable and implant will be? Basically surgery scares me, I’ve never been in hospital before overnight so I’m worried about that too!
any comments gratefully accepted, thanks in advice xx
I am sure some of the other forum users will be a long shortly to support you and offer their experience. In the mean time you may find it useful to read the BCC publication on operation and recovery as it covers what to expect before your admission to hospital, during your stay, when you have returned home and during your recovery from surgery. If you would like to order a copy or read this in line just follow this link:-
Also if you would like to talk any of this through or just to have some additional support please don’t hesitate to give the helpline a call on 0808 800 6000. Here you can share any concerns you have with someone who will offer you emotional support as well as practical information.
Hi Lauralable,
Don’t know if you’ve posted before but anyway I’m 46 (still quite young) have just had the skin sparing mastectomy in September with the temporary implant. I was in hospital for one night (less than 24 hours in the hospital) The surgery was OK not too painful after but everyone’s different. I was surprised how good I felt the next day. The drains were only slightly uncomfortable and were in for less than a week but not bad really, you have a little bag to carry around, and will have to lay a certain way when sleeping. The dressing was on for several days longer. Unfortunately I have since got an infection that has caused swelling and am on antibiotics (I tried to do too much too quick). Make sure to take it easy after, do exercises like they say which aren’t that bad with this surgery and rest as much as possible. Once that is sorted I’m having chemotherapy. I managed to keep my nipple so am thrilled. That can only be done dependent on where the tumour / clearance margins are I think. I was just lucky there but ask anyway so you know what to expect. The scar is quite big but that will become less obvious over time, A small price to pay. From what I gather, I may be wrong, having this surgery means you can have radiotherapy safely if required. The recovery is quicker than other permanent reconstructions and you may end up with only the one scar if you have further reconstruction later. The implant itself is a strange feeling but the shape is natural for me. I’m around a B cup. The temporary implant can last for 10 years plus so you can avoid other major surgery for a while after. I’m pleased that bit is over for now. If you want more details about what to take to hospital just ask.
Hope that hepls a bit. Good luck to you CK x
Hi Lauralable
I had a bilat mx with temporary implants on 24th August. Was well after the op and was in for 4 nights. The drains were draining a lot and they wanted to keep an eye on them. Also having 2 was a bit inconvenient and difficult to manage at home so they kept me in. All was going well and I began to drive after 3 weeks and it was going really well. Sadly I then had an infection in my left implant and had to have it removed with iv antibiotics. Ended up in hospital for a further 9 nights.
Sorry I don’t mean to scare you and my other one is fantastic. I couldn’t keep my nipples which was a shame but as I had DCIS they managed to remove all the affected area and there was only a small involvement on the 1st lymph node and I haven’t needed any further treatment.
I am hoping to have a DIEP recon next year but still waiting for an appt from the plastic surgeon. Fingers crossed it’s soon so I can formulate a plan.
All the best for your op!
Lots of love
Viv xxx
Hi Lauralable,
Like CK1 I had a left skin sparing mastectomy in September with a temporary implant, unfortuantely I was unable to keep my nipple. I had a 12cm area of DCIS with a 5mm grade 3 tumour within it which had spread to my first two lymph nodes. I have just started chemo and will probably need radiotherapy as well. My advise like CK1 is to not try and do too much post op too soon. I was only in hospital for 2 nights and came home with a drain but I felt really well and tried to carry on as before - BIG MISTAKE!. you will need to rest. I was back to driving around 10 days post op you need to be careful on your ability to be safe and to change gear without hurting yourself (mine was on the left!). The drains feel ok you just need to be careful not to pull them but like CK1 I had a bag to carry ine around in. Unfortuanately I also ended up with a seroma under my arm which needed draining and then became infected but if you don’t need a node clearance you may avoid this pleasure! The whole experience wasn’t as bad as I thought it was going to be, I was amazed at how good I felt when I woke up from the surgery, just really remember to take it easy post op! Any other questions just ask!!
Thank you so much ladies for replying, really nice to hear it first hand from you all. I know infection is a possibility, the PS said 5% end up infected, half of that need more surgery for that, it sounds like you were all unlucky I’m not very good at sitting still but chemo has unfortunately made me take it easy so ill try and keep that in mind. I live alone so thinking going to go and stay with my mum after, just so I have someone around just in case, how long do you think you needed help for? I think I’ll probably stay in hospital till the drains are out apparently but suppose means I won’t have to deal with them at home (I hate needles, it’s my big phobia!). It’s my left side so ill just wait and see how I feel with regards to driving. It’s all just a big overwhelming and scary but hearing from those who have had this and are happy makes me feel a bit better, the nurses ect i met yesterday are all lovely (It’s a different hospital than I’ve been having the rest of my treatment). Not sure about permenant recon yet, I want to lose a good bit of weight first so Im the size I want to be oh and ill lose my nipple but I’m okay with that, just want it too to done out of me!
just wondered how uncomfortable getting more saline injected is? Any problems with that? Has it changed since radiotherapy? Any tips on what to take into hospital or underware?
Hi again,
Check that they will let you stay longer with drains in, I know my hospital like to get you out asap to clear beds and I could not have stayed in unless there was a problem. It’s really not that bad. You won’t need too much help you and should still have mobility but you should not lift or strain for a while. Staying with a relative after will be good for your confidence knowing someone is there. As for the drains you will not have to touch it the district nurse came out to me to deal with stuff and change the dressing etc. They will show you what to do. Once home you can always come here for advice on what to do with them.
As for what to take in (remembering what you take in is what you have to take home). Hopefully you will have someone to carry a bag for you as you will not be able to carry anything too heavy. I would say deinitely long trousers or tracksuit bottoms or long skirt for going home as you will have long socks on that have to stay on at home for couple of weeks ('cos of thrombosis risk). I went in with 3/4 length jeans on and had to leave in pj bottoms as it would have looked ridiculous with white tights on!
Normal underware and spare knickers, I’ve a couple of vest tops with breast support bit inside which are more gentle than a bra. No bras with bones / wires or lacey bits as these can all irritate. I always pack too much, face wipes, wet wipes, tissues, usual toiletries, I also use the alcohol hand soap and have one on me all the time. Take your own small towel as well, at least you know where it’s been. Also don’t forget to take any medications you are on with you. Whilst in there they should offer medication for any discomfort. I was lucky and did not need any post op. Hope that’s helpful. Every little thing helps and will make you feel in control. I also had a little toilet bag with essentials for going to the loo. Also write a list, that always helps. Don’t forget your phone and a charger, and a book to take up some time, an MP3 player if you’ve got one (you’ve obviously spent loads of time waiting around going through chemo so probably know all those little bits).
Anything else just ask.
Take care. Hugs n stuff
CK x
There wasn’t as much pain as I thought there was going be. In fact I only had paracetamol. They kept offering me morphine but I really didn’t feel I needed it!
Are you having tissue expanders in? My implants are/were just normal silicone ones. They put them in front of the muscle rather than behind like they do in an augmentation. Feels a bit weird but once you get used to them they are fine.
As far as drains are concerned, they let me stay in with them when I had the original op but let me come home with one after my infection but it wasn’t a problem. The district nurse came to check the levels and then took it out after 2 days. Not a problem and it doesn’t hurt when it comes out! Just feels a bit odd!
As for what to take into hospital, I agree with all the above from CK. I had a front opening mastectomy/post surgery bra which was very comfy and I had to wear it for 24hours for 2 weeks. I also paid for the TV in hospital as it allowed me to switch off from the outside world!!! Although it cost my dad £70 for 9 days…ouch!
As CK says, anything else you need to know just ask.
Viv xxx
Thanks again guys, CK1 yes your right one of the nurses suggested that if Im otherwise okay and have 1 drain left they could let me out early, trust me I don’t want to stay in longer than I need to i also don’t want to be in for days on in end with a cannula in my hand coz I hate them! Great news about the lack of pain and painkillers needed, really reassuring. I’ve got a v shaped pillow and I’ve read some of the other threads about tips if they do send me home with drains, my best friend is a doctor and my dads girlfriend is a cancer nurse specialist so they said they could help with the drain stuff and they said I can go back to hospital. Ill have family with me so they can carry and drive and bring me food hehe. I’ve been told to buy strong support non underwired bras and wear 2 at a time For 4 weeks but im going to get some of those support vest tops as well coz I find them comfy already. I’ve got a kindle and iPad and iPhone with music and podcasts so planning to stock them all up, if I have surgery at one of the hospitals they have tvs/radios/phones but I could be having it at an older hospitals where they have none of that. I’m just having an implant, she didn’t mention tissue expanders, ill have to go back to eat more saline put in, and its to go behind the muscle.
Thanks guys you are amazing it’s not till the end of November but I wanted to be prepared!xxx
Hi
I have implants that they put saline in so far it has been done twice it’s ok they only put in a small amount each time and use a really tiny needle to do so. The area is still quite numb so I don’t really feel it. Good luck if you have any other questions just ask xx
xx
I’m not very good at sitting still but chemo has unfortunately made me take it easy so ill try and keep that in mind. I live alone so thinking going to go and stay with my mum after, just so I have someone around just in case, how long do you think you needed help for? I think I’ll probably stay in hospital till the drains are out apparently but suppose means I won’t have to deal with them at home (I hate needles, it’s my big phobia!). It’s my left side so ill just wait and see how I feel with regards to driving. It’s all just a big overwhelming and scary but hearing from those who have had this and are happy makes me feel a bit better, the nurses ect i met yesterday are all lovely (It’s a different hospital than I’ve been having the rest of my treatment). Not sure about permenant recon yet, I want to lose a good bit of weight first so Im the size I want to be