How long does it take after mastectomy?

Oakmoss

Hi Misty, I'm afraid I can't respond from experience but I have just had a lumpectomy and now it looks as if I will have to have a bilateral mastectomy. I was hoping to avoid it, honestly, because as much as I want to make the best medical decisions for myself, I find the prospect traumatic. It has also been hard that some people have told me I shouldn't feel upset about it. That never helps!

I do hope some of the more experienced members reach out to you, or already have. I have so much empathy for everything you're feeling.

msphil

mine was little longer than usual i had reconstruction But after one fill my body rejected implant it was removed so everyone is different good luck n God Bless i am 22yr Survivor Praise God. msphil idc stage2 Lmast chemo and rads n 5yrs on Tamoxifen 0\3 nodes.

Cynthiac

Hi Misty,

Looks like you might have had surgery already. I am 39 and was also just diagnosised and had a mx 2 weeks ago. I was fully asleep and after a few groggy hours in recovery I did just fine. I am now 10 days out and have found have found things to be much better than I feared. The worse things is the drains which were removed yesterday. They. Really are the worst part. My incision is healing nicely. The sorest part is under my arm due to the fact I had all the lymph nodes removed as well. I hope you are recovering well

ccm989

Wow, I had no idea so many women were in the same boat as me. I just had a lumpectomy two weeks ago and the BS did a great job (no dimpling and just a thin thread of incision). However, pathology discovered that the severely atypical breast tissue was indeed DCIS so I had to get genetic counseling. In two weeks I will find out if I am a BRCA1 or 2 carrier. If I am a carrier my BS is recommending a DMX -- ugh! The other alternative is a "revision" of the lumpectomy followed up by 5 years of Tamoxicin. Would really prefer the "revision". A BMX is overwhelming. Even with the thought of having a DD chest as a result (I am normally a dainty I really don't want such major surgery. Of course, I will abide by my BS advice. My pain tolerance is pretty good but I think I will look at some photos/videos to see how reconstruction works. Drains? Yikes! Funny thing is I have never been sick a day in my life and now this. Feeling a bit overwhelmed. But reading about other people's experiences really comforts me. So thank you. By the way, I don't think this would have happened to me if I hadn't taken Premarin which may have triggered the tumor.