Hi Burse,

A very warm welcome to our forum.

I am sorry to hear that you find yourself in this position. The anaesthetic is always a worry for anyone contemplating surgery of any type. I am 74 and have previously stopped breathing under general anaesthetic, while undergoing a full open cholecystectomy (gall bladder removal, 27 years ago). This makes any surgery a big challenge for me, but despite this, I have had another 4 operations since this happened. I always make the anaesthetist aware of my previous problems and have to have fibro-optic intubation, as well as to swallow the camera (if needed), while I am awake and conscious, without coughing (not easy!)

I have had 2 bouts of breast cancer and had a lumpectomy and a double mastectomy. Both operations went without a hitch. Since then I have had 2 knee replacements, which were also very straightforward. As Neda and Farmer_Ed have said, you will get a pre-med before you undergo your operation. This will assess whether or not it is safe for you to undertake a general anaesthetic. You do not say what type of surgery you need - lumpectomy or mastectomy, with /without reconstruction. The time needed to carry out some of these procedures varies considerably. 

Please put your faith in your care team. This is something which they do, day and daily and they wouldn't place you at any unnecessary risk.

I sincerely hope that it all goes well for you. Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. I am now 14 years down the line from diagnosis and I still lead a busy and fulfilling life and I hope that you will too. We are always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Burse,

A very warm welcome to our forum.

I am sorry to hear that you find yourself in this position. The anaesthetic is always a worry for anyone contemplating surgery of any type. I am 74 and have previously stopped breathing under general anaesthetic, while undergoing a full open cholecystectomy (gall bladder removal, 27 years ago). This makes any surgery a big challenge for me, but despite this, I have had another 4 operations since this happened. I always make the anaesthetist aware of my previous problems and have to have fibro-optic intubation, as well as to swallow the camera (if needed), while I am awake and conscious, without coughing (not easy!)

I have had 2 bouts of breast cancer and had a lumpectomy and a double mastectomy. Both operations went without a hitch. Since then I have had 2 knee replacements, which were also very straightforward. As Neda and Farmer_Ed have said, you will get a pre-med before you undergo your operation. This will assess whether or not it is safe for you to undertake a general anaesthetic. You do not say what type of surgery you need - lumpectomy or mastectomy, with /without reconstruction. The time needed to carry out some of these procedures varies considerably. 

Please put your faith in your care team. This is something which they do, day and daily and they wouldn't place you at any unnecessary risk.

I sincerely hope that it all goes well for you. Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. I am now 14 years down the line from diagnosis and I still lead a busy and fulfilling life and I hope that you will too. We are always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx