hi I am due a right total masectomy on Wednesday. Feeling a little nervous as been in isolation for two weeks counting down the days but now nearly here starting to panic. Any tips of what to expect and how to make life easier after ?
I had my total night mastectomy just over three weeks ago, I had also had a lumpectomy in May and an other op to try and clear the margins in June so I had been battered with a fair bit anaesthetic before it but physically I didn't think the op was too bad. In our hospital you had to sit in the DPU waiting for your op which was a long day, I didn't get taken till after 3 o'clock! My husband couldn't wait with me but the other people waiting were very nice, I would take something to distract yourself with, though it's a bit hard to take your mind off it. The actual op was fine, the theatre staff were great and before you know it you are on a ward. Honestly if I had been taken earlier I would have been more than happy to go home the same day. I never had a lot of pain, the worse thing was the constipation from the Dihydrocodeine and I only had 2!! I managed perfectly well with just paracetamol and ibuprofen and only really needed them for a few days. I got home the next day with a drain in, which was a bit of a pain to drag around with you, mine was a bottle which I had to remember to pick up when I moved, I think some people get bags which would probably be easier. The drain was taken out a couple of days later but I do have a little seroma (fluid) around the wound, which does cause a little discomfort depending what I'm wearing, the BCN said she would drain in if it didn't go away, I think it needs to be resolved before radiotherapy. All in all physically I have recovered well and I'm back out and about, driving, walking etc and getting on with the housework!
I think the most difficult part was the emotional side, like you I was beginning to panic before the op, I also had some really low moments which is totally unlike me, I am normally the solid, logical and practical level headed one and have been pretty strong during every crisis, I don't think it helped that my journey started pretty optimistically just to have hopes dashed after each of the two previous ops but I'm not sure any woman could face mastectomy without some sort of wobble. I was very disappointed that they were not offering immediate reconstruction due to Covid so I tried preparing myself by looking at a lot of post mastectomy pictures, hoping to desensitise myself but it's nothing like seeing yourself for the first time, Mrs Strong was in floods of tears! Initially I avoided looking as much as possible, I felt totally mutilated but that did pass and I can now look at the wound and think what a neat job the surgeon did, I do have a little mini boob because of the seroma! I wad a bit nervous about going out and about for the first time but now just stuff the softie in and go. The things I felt help me the most post op was a good squishy cushion, I got a Cushtie which is filled with micro beads, great for stuffing under your arm or to use if you are in the car to keep the seat belt off the wound and sleeping on to get a comfy position. Good bras, a really comfy one for lounging and one for out and about. I now seem to have a million of them as I went a bit OTT but the ones I wear most are a Jason Wu sports top I got from TK Max, the openings for the pads are big enough to get a softie in, and my softies are quite big 9/10, and ones from George which are also quite comfy. They have some new post surgery ones in now I am resisting buying!! The also have pyjama tops and nighties with drain pockets which might be handy. Sainsbury's also have a hidden support top that is really comfy and you can fit a softie in, the material is very soft against the wound. I have bought some from a specialist supplier (on sale) and on Amazon, so there is plenty choice! I have also converted a couple of bras and a sports bra I already had. My latest venture is trying to make bean a boobs, you can buy them but I saw instructions to make one, I do find that the fibre filled softies to make you heat up and these are supposed to be cooler.
I hope my experience helps some, I don't think you can avoid the emotional roller coaster but I did find some comfort in knowing it was totally normal and you do eventually feel better, it is a bit of a grieving process, though I have to admit I am looking forward to having my reconstruction and I sort of keep focused that my current lopsidedness is temporary.
I hope everything goes as well as it can tomorrow, I hope you will update with how you get on.
thank you so much for taking the time to write your really helpful advice and account of what you have been through. It was really helpful. I will update after my operation
I had a masectomy in Dec 2019. Apart from feeling a bit nauseous from the anaesthetic, it wasn't too bad. I had a drain in for a couple of days but was soon home and the scar heals pretty quickly. The team look after you well, the cushion is good that fits under your arm. I wore vesty tops for a while and then had a bra fitted with soft prothesis. Let us know how you get on, wishing you all the best.
This is always a worrying time, but this time tomorrow it will all be behind you. I had a lumpectomy 11 years ago and a double mastectomy 10 years ago. I honestly found the mastectomy was less traumatic than the lumpectomy. I agree with the advice about the helpfulness of some soft, but supportive bras and a small cushion. I used a small heart shaped cushion. I also had 2 shoulder bags to put my drains in - so much easier than trying to get around with two stands attached!
You will also find it easier to have clothing that opens at the front and doesn't have to be pulled over your head initially. The main thing to remember after your surgery is to do the exercises that you're given regularly. This will help your mobility enormously.
I shall be thinking of you tomorrow and hope that all goes well.
