Hi, I’m having a therapeutic mammaplasty with contralateral reduction next week. I had a large HER2 +ve tumour, with very good response from 6 months of neo-adjuvant chemo (EC + Paclitaxol and Phesgo). I’m just beginning to feel a bit more human again after finishing chemo 4 weeks ago, but now i am nervous about the opration and being incapacitated again. The BCN and a friend have been very helpful about what to expect, but would love to hear from any of you guys about your experiences of recovery, preferably positive ones!
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I had a therapeutic mammoplasty. Rest up allow things to knit back together, be vigilant if anything’s concerning you post op ring your team do your exercises, you could get some sticky dots tgat you can put up the door frame so you can see your progress no lifting anything heavy you’ll be surprised how quick your body will repair hope that helps a bit. I had a bra with a zip front and racer back from M&S which was comfortable, I went up a size from 36 - 38 to allow for any swelling 
Shi xx
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I had therapeutic mammoplasty 8 weeks ago followed by a cavity shave three weeks ago. Recovery has been a lot easier than I expected! The main thing I struggled with was sleeping on my back for four weeks, but I bought a V-shaped pillow and made sure I was properly supported. I can sleep on my sides now - bliss! The arm exercises are absolutely essential, I thought they were just for recovery from the node removal, but they definitely help with the boob too…I can tell if I haven’t done enough exercises as it starts to feel ‘tight’. (I did the exercises religiously for the first six weeks and then slacked off…I’m back to doing them regularly now, they dont take long and I’m just going to keep up with them for as long as I feel they’re helping). Then just make sure you avoid heavy lifting and repetitive movements etc.
My scar is healing beautifully and I’m starting to get feeling back, even in my nipple area, which I am surprised about! I actually think my mended boob is prettier than my normal boob now 
…they’re a bit lopsided and I may choose to do something about it one day in the future but right now I don’t really care about a bit of wonkiness - it is only a bit and I suspect I see it more than other people would because I’m super self-critical; my husband says you can barely tell.
I was back driving two weeks after my cavity shave and have my full range of arm movement. I wouldn’t say it is completely pain free yet but I dont need to take painkillers (and haven’t for a couple of weeks) and I’m basically back to my normal routine.
Hope this helps put your mind at rest a bit - it 100% wasnt anywhere near as bad as I had imagined it 
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Hi
I had lumpectomy on left side with therapeutic mammoplasty and reduction on right side at the same time. It was a long operation as a lot of tissue was removed, I was out for 6 hours. Recovery went really well. Drains removed after 5 days, and dressings gradually got less and less. I had a small area that took a while longer to heal so was given antibiotics just in case of infection. I also got a V shaped pillow and kind of wedged myself in position to sleep. It was a relief to be able to sleep on either side. It took around 7 weeks to fully heal. Now having chemo.
Hope this helps.
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Thankyou @shi @sharlou and @bigpickle. Your comments have been very encouraging. The BCNs have given me one bra, front fastening and i think will be the right size, i gave another one frpm Cancer Research UK which is nice and soft and one from M and S, but not sure its the right size. I have a couple of heart shaped cushions/pillows for under arms, but the v-shaped pillow sounds like a good idea. Also i shall make sure to do the exercises regularly. Hopefully i’ve done the hard part with chemo first and this will be easier.
@bigpickle hope your chemo goes well.
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I just used aqueous cream post op and got no scarring, just wanted to share if you were looking at creams to use post op, think others might have used bio oil but just wanted to share what worked for me and left me with no scarring I did put a cotton pad over nipple area that had been saved till the stitches dissolved after applying the cream to just help protect the stitches from catching on anything and for me it just made me feel more confident and comfortable post op do whatever works for you we all have our own ways of getting through Shi xx
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Thankyou @shi, i hadn’t thought about cream/oil for scars. I’m usually a good healer, but you never know how your bidy is going to react. I’m hoping to have two matching boobs, slightly smaller, but nice and pert! There has to be some positives. 
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You having both done at same time 
hopefully you are, I didn’t and had the other levelled up last year and still have to go back for more surgery as they left me with a dog ear that they still need to correct 
so I wish I’d had both done at same time:two_hearts:Shi xx
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Yes both at same time, didn’t want to delay to have to face surgery agaon later. Just want to get it over with. Thanks Shi. X
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glad to hear you are having both done at same time Shi xx
Hi everyone, i’ve had my surgery and all went well, sentinel nodes clear so thankfully didnt have to have axillary clearance. Operation took 3 hours, but i did have two surgeons working on me , one for each side. I was in a bit of pain immediately after surgery, bit that soon settled down and i was able to go home same day. Now trussed up with Pico dressing and very supportive bra the hospital gave me. No drains. I found the v shaped pillow comfortsble, so thanks for recommending thst. So now its just taking each day as it comes and seeing how recovery goes.
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wonderful news penny glad alls gone well take it steady and don’t try to do too much too soon break exercises down throughout the day if they feel a bit much Shi xx
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Glad you’re all done and the nodes were clear! Plenty of rest and recuperation now, look after yourself xx
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I’m awaiting therapeutic mammoplasty 3 weeks today and reading your post has been a huge comfort! Thanks so much for sharing your experience and all the sound advice on exercises too. Take care 🩷
Thankyou @roxie1 just as an update i am now 6 weeks post op and getting back to normal life. Ive been out shopping amd bought some new clothes, but it was just lovely to mooch round shops. I try to go out for a walk everyday. Im retired so dont have to worry about going back to work, but would have been able to after 2 or 3 weeks. Shoulder and arm range of movement all normal and scars are healing beautifully.
Good luck with your op.
Penny
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So so pleased for you! That’s marvellous progress and so encouraging. Thanks so much for sharing your progress - all the brave and big-hearted ladies like you who share your experiences, make it easier for others to follow in your footsteps with less fear - that’s such an important outcome.
I’ve booked a 4 day trip to Munich for 6 weeks after my op which I did wonder was possibly a bit over-optimistic but now I’m thinking it should be ok. My daughter is an actor and she is opening in her first leading lady role in a show in Munich and I am desperate to be there for the official press night, cheering like only a mad stage mum can! I now feel like I can make that goal happen!
Could I ask one more question of you? My sister is coming to give me a hand the day after the op, do you think a short 15 minute walk to local cafe is possible/likely in the first week post-op? I know we are all different so not expecting guarantees!
All the very best to you! Xx
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Hi @roxie1 thats fantastic about your daughter. I would definitely want to be there if it was me, its something to aim for. I suppose it depends how you recover, but i would yhink it should be doable. The only thing iz the travelling might be tiring and carrying luggage might be a problem if you are going on your own. With regard to a 15 minute walk in the first week i would say it is definitely possible after a few days, just listen to your body and take it slowly and get plenty of rest… I had to walk all over the hospital, for different appointments and back to car park twice the week after my op and that was fine.
Penny
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Thank you, again! My husband will be coming to Munich with me so he can do all the heavy lifting (lucky chap!) so that should be OK. He’s very chivalrous by nature!
In first week I will deffo take it easy and listen to the old body’s demands for rest. I was more aiming for towards the end of the week for wee walk to a cafe with my sis. Will see how it goes.
You’re inspiring me! Look after yourself. Thanks again - so appreciate the insights.
xx
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Hi I am now two weeks on from surgery on both breasts and lymph node removal. I am walking over 2 miles at a time a couple of times each day and I am sure you will be able to do the same. I have had painful cording in my left arm and am using massage and ,of course, the exercises to help. The best therapy for me has been getting outside in the fresh air and doing something “ normal”. I have found the whole diagnosis/planning/waiting/etc process exhausting and emotionally draining with no energy left for normal life. Good luck and best wishes and try not to let your illness define you.
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