Hi,
If you all don't mind I do have a few questions about this....I am schedule to have this done this Friday.
1. How did you feel after the surgery?
2. Was the recovery hard?
3. What things did you do you to help alleviate some the pain from surgery?
4. Did you still wear a bra?
5. Are you or did you have reconstruction done later?
6. Did you or do you wear false/prosthetic breast? If so did you go to a doctor to be fitting for the right size? Did you just order them from online? If you ordered any from online what type did you order? Where did you order them from?
thank you for taking the time out to answer my questions. Even if you answer a few or one anything and everything is greatly appreciated! I am only going to get the mastectomy, I am waiting to get reconstruction for after my baby is born. I'm due at the end of April, so I likely will not get reconstruction started until the end of May or beginning of June. I am just seeking something for temporary to long term use. Again thank you very much for everything!
Good luck Friday. I will be sending prayers and positive energy in your direction.
Quoting Specialk3190:
Hello, I think you made a good decision. It will be hard mentally, but you have so much going on. Have the surgery...recover...have the baby...recover, and then make your choices. Look online at pics of skin sparing mastectomy, so that you are mentally prepared for your scars. You can't get a permanent prosthesis until your scar is healed to your doctors satisfaction(about 2To4weeks) You can get a mastectomy camisole. I just got one yesterday, and it is so comfy it also has pockets for a polyfil pillow that makes it look like you have boobs. It has removable pockets for post op drains. With a prescription from the doctor it was no charge, but it is about $60(worth it). I bought mine at lady Jane mastectomy boutique in Syracuse. they are online too.
Good luck Friday. I will be sending prayers and positive energy in your direction.
I had a bilateral mastectomy on July 6th, 2011 after surgery I could'nt move we slept on recliners in the livingroom this lasted for about three days, then I was able to get up from the couch on my own I didn't sleep in bed for two more weeks. for me the recovery was hard because I have been pretty much independent so it was hard having my husband and kids to help me with my every move from taking a bath to making me a meal. I was finally able to move normal about a month and a half later, I used the painkillers prescribed to me like clockwork for the first week but then I only used it to sleep , during the day I relied on Tylenol then to Tylenol PM to sleep. I don't wear a bra unless I'm going to the plastic surgeon for a fill because I get the impression that he prefers we wear them because of the comments he made after my surgery and now, so that answers the next question I did have reconstruction but had to have one of my expanders removed due to an infection but I had it put back in and am now in the process of having that one filled I went a lot smaller than I was originally mainly because I couldn't afford the copay just for vanity and I was never a big fan of extremely large breasts, I may have gone too much the opposite direction but I'm happy so far, let us know how things go with you and good luck, just follow all directions and use plenty of pillows and do your best to stay away from the hugs.
Good luck with your surgery... you will be in all our thoughts and prayers. Making this decision was hard I'm sure but thats one big decision behind you.....
1. I was sore after surgery but it wasn't as bad as i thought. Getting up out of bed or a chair was hard because of limitations of arm movement but it didn't take long to figure out how to do it.
2. Recovery - easier than I thought. Arm movement (as above) is the biggest problem - don't worry it comes back fast... but HEAL FIRST! Don't rush. When its time to start working on the arms, do it slowly. I found that soaping up my hand and then sliding it up the wall of the shower (while in the hot water WHEN you are allowed to fully shower) made my progression fast... but again - go slow and wait until the doctor says its time to work on that.
3. Pain management - the doctor will give you pain meds. Take it when you need to - don't be too proud.
4. You won't be wearing a bra right away - and then it will be a sports bra (if that) - again, until your doctor tells you otherwise.
5. My mastectomy was followed by the plastic surgeon putting a tissue expander in during the same surgery. After healing, I went for weekly "fill ups" of injections of saline to stretch the skin to the appropriate size. After my chemo and my counts were back to normal, I had implants put in. That surgery was a breeze. Not anything like a real breast but its the best I can do under the circumstances. YOU - you need to make the decision based on how you feel about implants, flap surgery or prosthetics.
6. Do not shop on line until you are fitted. Your doctor will (should) refer you to a special boutique that specializes in fittings, prosthetics, etc. After you know the size/style that works for you, perhaps you can find similar items on line. I got a discount coupon from my doctor AND my insurance paid for the majority of the cost. (oh, by the way - my insurance paid for my reconstruction which I hear is required by law for breast cancer patients).
Have your mastectomy - then relax, heal and get strong again. ASK for and ACCEPT help! THis is YOU time and then wait for the birth of your baby. It will give you time to make decisions about prosthetics vs reconstruction.
One step at a time and keep us posted on how things go for you.
Hello - I hope you are feeling better and recovering. I had a bilateral mastectomy and didn't have my reconstruction for a full year. I had to do radiation before my plastic surgeon would allow me to have reconstruction.,
I did wear prosthetic. I called my insurance company and they referred me to a medial supply company that had a mastectomy fitter on staff. If you have a Nordstrom's in your area, they also can order them for you as well. Amoena is a great brand. Wearing a prosthetic also helps the scars heal and not be raised. It was kind of nice to take them off at the end of the day :-)
I had a mastectomy February 2007. You may have drainage tubes. Have your surgeon show you how to strip them and keep the areas clean. Ask for help and get a shower chair. There are great bras out there but you need to be fitted first. If you have a plastic surgeon and breast surgeon team, you might be able to have a tissue expander placed during your mastectomy which is what I did. I went to Johns Hopkins and the two surgeons worked as a team.
Find out what you'll have done and what you want done.
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- blessedwitluv
on Jan. 10, 2012 at 2:28 PM