Hi Amara, may I ask the reason for having the mastectomy? Is lumpectomy an option?

Hi again, I've just seen another thread further down on this forum called Emotional reactions to mastectomy?

You may find some useful comments there. I'm due to have a lumpectomy so can't comment on mastectomy, sorry. 

I wish you all the best with your op.

Amy x

Hi, I had a mastecomy almost 3 weeks ago. It really isn't as bad as you'd expect (I'm not a lot older than you at 40), it is the emotional side of everything that is hardest. However I see you're having an immediate reconstruction, so may be harder physically but easier emotionally? I wasn't allowed reconstruction as I'm getting radiotherapy too. Have they told you about any other treatments? 

Wishing you all the best. ️ 

Hi pippy 

Im glad yours went well they said it could be a possibility that I would need radiotherapy or chemotherapy just because I'm so young they tend to throw everything in to make sure it's gone was her words but they won't be able to tell if I'll need it till after the surgery so really I don't know what I will be waking up to. 
 

is there any advice you could give to prepare or anything you found that helped through the healing process I know it hasn't been that long for you either.
 

Hi Amara, I do hope everything goes well for you and the main thing is that they can remove all the cancer, but I understand your anxiety about how you will feel and look. I am a bit nervous too, even with being offered what is effectively a boob job (reduction and lift) as I am on the large side. I lilke the idea of being smaller, but my surgeon can't guarantee symmetry or even what size I will be. I'll have a lot of scarring, I'll be a different shape, etc. The easier alternative is a straightforward lumpectomy and being left lopsided and deformed. 

I have also been looking for helpful tips for my surgery next week and came across this booklet www.macom-medical.com/.../ Good tips from page 12 onwards. Your hospital should also send you some information once you have a date for surgery.

My nurse friend who has had cancer surgery recommended having some high energy drinks like Lucozade, or dextrose tablets, just before you stop eating to keep you going until you can eat again; drinking lots afterwards as you will probably have a urinary catheter and drinking will help prevent cystitis; lots of leg and foot exercises to keep up blood flow and prevent clots. Drinking loads as soon as you can keep food and drink down will also help with constipation afterwards.

Ask your breast care nurse/surgeon if they will supply a bra, drain bags and underarm pillows. I was going to buy/make my own but the hospital will provide them. Have a pillow or cushion in the car for the drive home to protect your chest from the seat belt.

Hope this helps.

Amy x

Hi Amara,

Im so sorry you are having to go through this and understand your fears about mastectomy.

I had a mastectomy a year ago (I'm 55) and I was terrified.  I hope my experience will reassure you that despite the emotional upset of losing a breast (which will take a while to come to terms with), physically my recovery was swift and I had very little pain or the dreaded drains!!

You have to do post op exercises religiously afterwards but do lean on your nurse, they are wonderful and very supportive.

Good luck.  This is a worrying time but you'll get through it.  There are positives over lumpectomy in that you won't need radiotherapy after the mastectomy.

Mary x