Hello Hope
I had a mastectomy with immediate implant reconstruction at the end of July. I was lucky that the Letrozole which I'd been taking for 4 months, had worked like magic and reduced the tumour so I could have a nipple and skin sparing operation - so only one wound site. I was also "lucky" that I was diagnosed and treated during Lockdown so my local hospital (which is brilliant) was pushing all operations to a private clinic, where I was the only patient on the ward!
I was in surgery for 4 hours and in recovery for 3 hours. I was very groggy for the next 24 hours and the nurses had to help me onto a commode as I couldn't get to the toilet on my own but that was the anaesthetic and I was independently mobile by day 2. The effects of the anaesthetic - tired, a bit out of it - lasted a good couple of weeks but I'm a bit of a sleepyhead anyway and I'm sure everyone's different.
The pain wasn't too bad at all, although I do have a high pain threshold. Apparently they packed the wound with lots of antibiotics and painkillers during surgery, then the nurses gave me painkillers every 4 hours - paracetamol and codeine as well as antibiotics. I could have asked for more but didn't need to. I was given a supply to bring home but managed on the paracetamol, gradually reducing them. After 4 weeks, I wasn't taking any at all.
The biggest challenge for me was stiffness in my arm and shoulder and the drain which stayed in for at least a week. I also had an alarm system on a plastic tube, going into my dressing which was like a thick bit of clingfilm which seemed to be vacuum packed to my boob. Apparently the alarm goes off if the vacuum seal starts to come undone, although this didn't happen to me. My breast cancer nurse gave me a tote bag to keep the drain and alarm in and I'd say this is really useful - keeps you organised and helps with sleeping. I found sleeping on my back difficult - I usually sleep on the side where I had the surgery and I'm still not back to that yet, although I'm getting there!
I was also ordered to wear a compression bra 24/7 for at least 6 weeks. It took me ages to find something suitable - must have tried everything in M&S - and eventually went expensive, although the BCN helpfully gave me a discount code. I also made sure I had a good supply of loose, front-buttoning tops - it would have been almost impossible to pull anything on over my head, with or without help.
I was lucky that my mastectomy was on my non-dominant side so I didn't "accidentally" pick up or reach for things with the painful arm. I did the exercises they give you - maybe not as religiously as I should have - and gradually expanded my reach. I did find the shoulder and arm pain difficult to live with and sometimes thought that I'd never feel normal again. I'm now nearly 4 months post surgery and do feel "normal" most of the time. My arm still doesn't go up as high or as straight as the other one but I think that's because I can feel that the scar is still healing. I've learned to trust that it will get there eventually. I drive, work and go about my life quite happily - although not tried a pilates or yoga class just yet, don't think I'll be doing a plank anytime soon! The implant is slightly strange - a lot firmer and smoother than I'd expected - and the lack of sensation is disconcerting but that's a small price to pay. It looks good with or without clothes. Emotionally, I don't feel as though I've lost anything - rather it feels great that the cancer has gone.
If there's anything else you'd like to know, ask away. There are lots of lovely ladies on this forum with lots of different experiences .
Sending hugs
Susie x
