3 weeks post mastectomy

Hi everyone 

I have or had a secondary primary lobular breast cancer in left breast now 3 weeks post op, also had reduction to healthy right breast. I had a drain in mastectomy side now removed. Have developed a seroma which is fluid build up after drain removal and has that drained off which was not painful.  I went from a G cup to now a 36C cup which I love. No problems with reduction wound. I wear a very soft sports bra but with post op swelling needed a 36d cup...also mastectomy wound is a bit painful so wearing a bra is uncomfortable at times. Being so small now I don't always wear the bra. I have not had reconstruction yet due to having chemotherapy soon followed by radiotherapy so will be next year for further surgery.  My question is how long do you wait post mastectomy for chemotherapy to start been told various times by different consultant some say 6 weeks others 3 months...I understand depends on healing of wounds but would be interested to hear your similar stories....I had previous breast cancer ductal with lumpectomy and just radiotherapy in 2015...so this was all a shock second time round but feeling positive and keeping strong....when not in pain...not always as strong then I might add...

Jo xx

  • Hi everyone 

    I have or had a secondary primary lobular breast cancer in left breast now 3 weeks post op, also had reduction to healthy right breast. I had a drain in mastectomy side now removed. Have developed a seroma which is fluid build up after drain removal and has that drained off which was not painful.  I went from a G cup to now a 36C cup which I love. No problems with reduction wound. I wear a very soft sports bra but with post op swelling needed a 36d cup...also mastectomy wound is a bit painful so wearing a bra is uncomfortable at times. Being so small now I don't always wear the bra. I have not had reconstruction yet due to having chemotherapy soon followed by radiotherapy so will be next year for further surgery.  My question is how long do you wait post mastectomy for chemotherapy to start been told various times by different consultant some say 6 weeks others 3 months...I understand depends on healing of wounds but would be interested to hear your similar stories....I had previous breast cancer ductal with lumpectomy and just radiotherapy in 2015...so this was all a shock second time round but feeling positive and keeping strong....when not in pain...not always as strong then I might add...

    Jo xx

  • Welcome to Cancer Chat, Evie65.

    I'm sorry to hear that you're a bit uncomfortable after your surgery but I'm glad that the operation seems to have gone well overall and that you're being able to keep on feeling positive about it.

    Hopefully some of our members who have gone through the same experience will come along shortly to chat with you and give advice. Until they do I thought you might benefit from the information we have on our webpage about surgery for breast cancer. There you can also find this subpage with information on what happens after breast surgery, exercises you need to do, and how to cope with possible problems. I hope this can be of some use.

    All the best,

    Renata, Cancer Chat Moderator