Pain post strattice reconstruction and mastectomies - new girl

[Kiki2]

Good decision re sick leave, I went back at 8.5 wks but only for 2 mornings a wk for first two weeks and don't forget you've had both sides done and I've only had one. Double must be much more restricting because you don't have a strong arm to compensate with. You'll get there! Xx

[Na123]

I'll be 6 weeks this Friday. I had those tear drop implants that have silicone on the outside and then get inflated over a few months to get symmetry.
After the first op WLE I walked to the hospital (just over a mile) for my follow up 5 days later - I felt so well. I couldn't do half that distance at present.
It will get better, just have to be patient.
Your doing well working in the morning, and walking those distances in under 3 months. I've extended my sick leave for another 4 weeks
N x

[Kiki2]

How many weeks post op are you now? I had the full implant straight away so don't have inflations. I'm now nearly 11 wks post op and able to go for 3-4 mile walks, manage a morning at work ok . The tiredness is loads better , the fake boob still feels very full and I'm still a bit tender under the arm. I get some twinges and pain in it still at times but generally a lot better. I would try to see friends and take their support though as it will help you. I have a check up on Thurs with surgeon. Think the shape is pretty good though I have a couple of little bumps that stick out, not sure if that is a crease in the implant or strattice but as long as it's nothing sinister I can live with that ! Good luck, hope you start to feel better soon. X

[Na123]

My spelling and grammar is terrible
Inflations not inflictions😯

[Na123]

Kiki, what you said is so true. I don't want to go out, just want to be in my 'bubble' at home. dropped my daughter off for her french trip yesterday. I did not want to talk to the other parents - the world outside seems overwhelming. Probably just going through the emotional roller coaster

My boobs are so hard, still tender around the strattice, they feel like plasticine which leaves a dent where you press. Repeat scan shows no fluid, surgeon says normal - due to the lymphatic being disrupted in the skin. Also have had 2 inflictions - makes your chest feel stiff and tight. I cannot imagine that they will ever get to the point of anything like normal softness.
How are you getting on - does anything of this sound familiar?
N x

[Kiki2]

Hi Nat, try not to be too disheartened, I found for weeks that as soon as I did something I needed to go and have a sleep before I did anything else! Just listen to your body and take it one day at a time. I remember at about 4 weeks saying to my work colleagues that I couldn't imagine improving enough to go back but then about 2-3 weeks later I suddenly realised that it had in fact improved dramatically. It will also help when they let you do more physio although it does hurt, but persevere because it is worth it, I can get my hands straight over my head now (9wks post op). I also found that it knocked my confidence at first. When friends took me out , after a short while I just wanted to go home, back to my safe little bubble! That passed within a couple of weeks too though! Good luck and just take it slowly!

[Na123]

Hi Kiki
I am now 4 weeks post surgery. First day without a temperature, taking regular pain killers, theright side still bigger than the left as has 2 ops within a short time and still has a seroma despite it being aspirated last week, the left side is more comfortable. Both sides feels like two halves of galia melons stuck to my chest. The team could not find a cause for the temperature, all the cultures, swabs etc were normal. I think it was probably reactive to the operations. Can't drive due to discomfort and stiffness, can't think about work or going back to it. It would be nice to be able to go back to normal,things such as hanging up washing, cooking for the family - no stamina, one activity is usually enough and then have to rest
Sounds like a moan, but there is an improvement. Just not quick as I would like

[Kiki2]

I had a single mastectomy with immediate reconstruction using mesh and implant. I have struggled to find anyone else who has had the same op which is why I've come on here. I was quite paranoid for the first few weeks about the risk of infection/rejection, but my advice would be if you have any concerns go back to your breast unit as When I was worried about how hard it was, I was put on a course of antibiotics .
I am now 8 and a half weeks post op and have gone back to work this morning on a phased return.
For the first 3-4 weeks I couldn't really sit upright or walk far because the chest wall muscles pulled so much. Don't be afraid to use the painkillers if you need them as it helps the body relax. It was after about 6 weeks and 2 weeks of more extensive physio exercises (they won't let you do much for first 4weeks) that I found I could begin to walk further and do more.
However the reconstruction still feels very full and at times sore and I am still very stiff under the arm. I would be interested to hear how your recovery goes? Good luck! Get plenty of rest and take it steady!

[Lucy_BCC]

Hi Na123 and welcome to the BCC forums where I am sure the support will continue to help. In addition please feel free to call our helpliners to talk any concerns or queries through, they are on hand with practical and emotional support for you on 0808 800 6000 weekdays 9-5 and Sat 10-2

I am posting a link to the treatments information and support ideas on the site which I hope you will find helpful, there is also a link on the page to the reconstruction information:

https://www.breastcancercare.org.uk/treatment?utm_source=Homepage&%3Butm_medium=help_you&%3B...

Take care
Lucy BCC

[Na123]

Dear Kate
Thank you
Was not expecting a reply so quickly. It's reassuring to know that your back driving and working already
For the first time in my life I cannot think about work - I was a workaholic, I am still in a fog
Seeing my surgeon on Monday, the breast team and unit are fantastic, cannot fault them

Taking it slow again

[kate48]

Hi Na123
I had a mastectomy on 10th Feb with reconstruction using a tissue expander and strattice. At about 2 weeks post surgery I had a build up of fluid and I felt very sore and really didn't want to move - and that was with a mastectomy on one side only. It lasted for no more than a week and resolved itself so that by 4 weeks post op when I had my first expansion it had all gone. It did make me feel very down at the time as I felt like I had been getting better and then I felt that I had taken several steps back. But I think it is normal that the fluid builds after the drains are all taken out. I took pain killers and took it very easy for that week. I also bought bra expander/extensions from Amazon to loosen off my bra which became tight and that helped me be more comfortable. If you are anxious and don't have an appointment to see your surgeon soon call the Breast care nurse who will be able to put your mind at rest. You have had a lot of surgery so be kind to yourself and take the painkillers and take it really easy. I am 9 weeks post surgery now and back at work and driving. It's amazing how quickly things do improve , but it doesn't feel like it in the early days. Take care.
Kate x

[Na123]

Hello - I am new to all of this - not done online forums, Twitter facebook etc......
Found a small lump 4 weeks ago, mMmography normal, ultrasound - the room felt as if it fell silent, so knew not good news, core biopsies taken Invasive carcinoma grade 2, had wide local excision and. Sentinel node (neg), but high grade DCIS in all of the wide local excision, with no clear margins - had bilateral mastectomies with immediate reconstruction and strattice. Now Day 12 post surgery, drains taken out 3 -4 days ago.
Only just realising the enormity of everything - pain control was not too bad, came off the oromorph, just using paracetamol and ibuprofen, but now lots of pain, the strattice feels thickened, hard, tender, seroma both sides, but does not feel tense
I think the pain is coming from the muscle, implant surgery and the strattice - is this normal, couldn't find much about rejection and how long it takes to get better, softer and less tender
Any one be able to help