Can people give me their experience of time between chemo and then surgery. I know a lot are different but I have asked and havnt been given an answer and won’t until I have had my fifth chemo and then get an apppimymeht with surgeon. Looking for people’s experiences to get an idea. Also did anyone have an idea of exactly what they would be getting . I know mine will be a mastectomy but what that looks like I have zero idea and again won’t till that appointment. Is that people’s experience to only know like maybe a month before?
I had a left mastectomy on 22nd July. I start chemo on 15th September. From what I’ve seen they like to start treatment within 8 weeks of surgery but each case is different. Its all a waiting game and its so so hard. Massive hugs to you
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Ah thanks for replying. I’m about to have 4th chemo but like to plan. Not knowing till between chemo 5 and 6 what the surgery plan and timeline is doing my head in . I like to plan xx
If you ever want any chemo advice please reach out xxxx
Ahhh same to you! My surgery was booked for 14th August then suddenly I got 22nd July. I didn’t need chemo before so maybe your case will be different. You’ve got this!!! not going to lie surgery sucks. 5 weeks on its still savage but then others sail through it! Big love to you x
Hi @linz1314
I was triple negative and had chemo then surgery. The op was to be no later than 4 weeks after chemo finished. Mine was double mastectomy and was 29 days after the final chemo. My consultant had appointments with me before hand to discuss everything in detail and the bcn team were there on phone had I any more questions or needed more appointments. I was guided through by my team. an kept going into appointments with a list of questions. They’ll also show you the implants if thats the route your going and talk through the pros and cons of each type so you can make an informed decision.
If you ring your bcn she will be able to give you an idea of what to plan for.
Xx
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That’s so useful thank you. I have been told I will hear everything when I meet surgeon between chemo 5-6 . . I know mastectomy as that’s what they said when I found out I had cancer but beyond that I don’t know if it’s reconstruction or not and what type. I wish I could know now to try and prepare but they won’t say anything. Not good for a planner like me x
Hi @linz1314
Yes it’s different for everyone from type of implant, type of reconstruction, where they get the fat from, whether there is enough fat, whether you want to heal from surgery on more areas of body. Mine was implant, skinny and not enough fat for 2 boobs, I was glad as I wanted implants anyway didnt like the idea of having surgery on other parts of body to recover from. I didnt get implants straight off as they fitted me with an expander first. This was good to get area big enough for implants and can be deflated to help recover from the surgery. I think some ladies have to delay reconstruction depending on whether they need radiotherapy, not 100% on that tho as I didn’t need radiotherapy. I feel I might have just opened another can of worms for you, sorry if I have.
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Haha no it’s fine. From what I can gather if you need radio ( which I will) they either delay or do diep reconstruction. I kind of wish I knew who my surgeon is or what they specialise
In but I guess I will just wait and see . I guess it’s possibly only a month till I meet them
Now but I love to plan. This whole
Process is def showing me planning is out the window 
HER3+ with chemotheraphy knocking me for six. saw the surgeon after chemo five as I am somewhat atopic and reactive to drugs and dressings with a tendency to bleed a lot during surgery. they needed to plan well in advance.I wanted a flat closure as I shuddered to imagine what my body would do with anything else. Ended up with lead plastics breast surgeon after oncologist intervened at MDT meeting. It was six weeks between last chemo and surgery to give my bloods chance to pick up. have to say I have not seen such a good piece of surgical needlework on a new scar in my life. MY DD is working towards being a specilist nurse working with trauma, complex wounds and burns and even she went ‘Wow that is so neat!’ When she helped me with an essential dressing change (skin reacted to compression bandage adhesive that was over surgical dressing)
If your worried call your BCNs as nurses tend to have more of an idea than most but remember that will only be a rule of thumb as the exact plan will depend on what you need.
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Thank you sounds that after chemo 5 is common then and I am expecting too much maybe . Seems like 6 weeks is the max they will leave it so I hopefully can give my self a rough timeline. Thank you for responding cxx
Hi @linz1314 I had the last of 6 cycles of TCHP (I’m Triple Positive) on 7th August. I saw my breast surgeon on 5th August and he told me my surgery will be on 12th September. Its at at a private hospital on a Saturday as the lists are so long at my NHS trust but will still be my surgeon. He originally told me after cycle 4 that it would be 3/4 weeks after cycle 6 but its worked out 5 weeks and 1 day. I’m having a lumpectomy. But I don’t know if that makes a difference.
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Thank you for replying really helps to manage my expectations xxxxx also good to know it’s common we meet and discuss with surgeon at late stage wasn’t sure if it was just here x
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Hi @linz1314
I saw the surgeon the same week as my 5th cycle. Plan was to have surgery 4-6 weeks after last chemo. Had surgery exactly 6 weeks later.
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Ah thanks for responding. Seems everyone is quite similar. I think I am hoping it will be like 4 weeks but know more likely 6 . Just want it out now xxxx
Just to give you the other perspective…Sailed through surgery with very little pain and virtually no stiffness. Was rigorous with exercises and wound healed quickly and neatly. A little trouble with the drain and I got a Seroma which wasn’t fun, but can honestly say that surgery was a doddle. Hope you are in that category.
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Ah thanks for replying I can’t wait for surgery. Maybe that will
Change when chemo ends
My chemo finished on 17th October, and I had my first surgery a month later - I think they don’t like hanging around too long for fear of the tumour starting to grow again, but need to get the worst of the chemo drugs out of the system before a general anaesthetic is administered. I had three surgeries before the decision was made to go for mastectomy, so my experience is slightly different from yours. NHS Scotland gave me loads of leaflets with what to expect, so if they haven’t done that with you yet, maybe ask for some literature on your next appointment. Wishing you all the very best for your future surgery and recovery xx
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Ah thank you yes I think I will reach out this week for some more information . Thank you for responding and hope you are doing well now xx
Hi @linz1314, in my case, I was told mid way through my chemo that the surgery would take place 5-6 weeks after my last chemo as it can’t happen any later than that. I only received my surgery date a few days after my last chemo session, and it was 5 weeks after my last chemo. I’m sure you will be told very soon. All the very best, take care.
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Ah thank you I def can see from everyone here that the timelines and communication is pretty standard now so I feel better. Can I ask were there many options given of type of surgery or very much this is what is happening?
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