Hi @Tracyanne I too have a positive story so far. At 51, I was diagnosed with HER+ BC in October 2020 and had an immediate mammoplasty where they removed about 1/3 of my left breast. The pathology results showed the margins weren't clear so I was booked in for a completion mastectomy after my chemo finished. However, due to family history and the presence of LCIS in my right breast, we (joint decision with myself and the MDT) opted for a bilateral mastectomy which was carried out on 23rd June this year. Due to the recent chemotherapy, I wasn't allowed an immediate reconstruction but I do know people who went straight to silicone implants, which was done at same time as mastectomy and they are happy. What to expect: When you go into hospital they will mark up your chest with a felt tip pen - it all feels a bit surreal. Ask plenty of questions about where the scar will be, recovery etc. you then go into surgery and you wont know anything about it til you come round in recovery. I had something called a PICO-7 dressing on afterwards which is a vacuum dressing and it ran horizontally across my chest from arm pit to arm pit. With the Pico dressing you have a tiny little pump on each side which sucks the air out of the dressing to keep it sterile. It's mildly irritating with its buzzing but is reassuring that it aids recovery. You will also have drains attached on both sides. These are really an inconvenience as they are attached with a stitch. You have to carry them around with you everywhere. You can buy mastectomy PJs which I would recommend - they have drain pockets which make things much easier - I got mine from Asda Online. If you don't have those, I would recommend getting hold of two drain bags (your hospital might provide them but mine didn't, so make sure you ask). You keep the drains until they drain less than 50ml fluid - for me that meant mine were taken out by the district nurse team on Day 5. Pain wasn't too bad - i just made sure I asked for the pain killers regularly - i was offered codeine, ibuprofen, paracetamol and Ora-Morph. The latter was a godsend. I cant tolerate morphine in injection form, makes me throw up, but this was amazing! I was allowed home the next day and was given codeine but to be honest I didn't need it after a few days and was fine on ibuprofen and paracetamol. The wound is now completely healed 7 weeks on. If you haven't had a reconstruction, I would avoid wearing a bra until it is healed as any rubbing against the wound will be sore. You should be given some 'softies' in the hospital. These are soft foam boob forms that fit into a mastectomy bra. Regarding the bra, I personally prefer a front fastening one as its easier as your arms will be sore after the op, especially if you have had nodes removed too. Some great ones on Nicola Jane website. Once your wound has completely healed you can get a prosthetic from your Breast Care Nurse - I haven't collected mine yet. For me, reconstruction will be a DIEP (tummy tuck) one. And to be honest, I'm so fed up with being in and out of hospital for the last 10 months, I don't mind waiting a couple for years for it. If you choose to go straight to silicone reconstruction, make sure you talk things through with your surgeon as there are different weights and shapes available. I've heard of people, showing photos from google to their surgeon to make sure they get what they want - remember it's your choice but the surgeon will guide you as to what might be best for your shape and chest wall. After reconstruction, you will need to wear a sports bra/tight fitting bra for quite a while to keep them in place - hopefully someone who has had that procedure will comment on here to let you know what to expect. Emotionally, I'm doing ok. The biggest shock for me was looking down at my chest for the first time. I thought I would be upset seeing the scar but honestly, for me, the biggest shock was seeing my tummy for the first time!! Usually there was two big boobs in the way. You will adapt though and as has already been said, you will need to keep stretching and moisturising but that just becomes a new routine. 3 weeks before the op, I started a course of arm strengthening exercises which I think really helped me. Your BCN should be able to help with some counselling as its a big thing to get your head around. I hope this has helped and that you are confident to chat with your surgeon about your options. Please feel free to message me if you have any questions. Good luck xxx
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