Questions on Nipple Sparing BMX with tummy tuck

Jiffrig

I have decided to have the nipple sparing double mastectomy and wondered if anyone has done this and can describe the recovery. I am not so worried about breasts as they will be numb, but the tummy where they take out the fat. My PS has said that it is 8-10 hour surgery and I would go to ICU for 2 days to be closely monitored and the regular room for 2-3 days. I am actually happy about all of that so I will be closely monitored but curious about the shape I will be in when I get home. How long are drains in with this surgery? Any advise would be appreciated. I am scheduled for early December after I finish chemo.

debiann

My 8-10 hour surgery turned into 13. Waking up in the ICU I felt like had been run over by a truck. The nurses were wonderful and took very good care of me. I could barely move the first two days. I needed a couple units of blood, then I started to feel better. I had completed chemo just a few weeks before surgery, so I think that made it more difficult. I also got a condition called drop foot, which was caused by nerve damage from the surgical compression boots. I needed a couple months of PT to walk right.

Drains suck. Definitely the worst part of the whole ordeal. You need to think about what you will wear to hold the drains. I had a pouch that went around my neck to hold them in the shower. Other times I wore a housecoat with big pockets inside-out and put the drains in the pockets.

The tummy incision didn't bother me as much as I thought, except it's pulled so tight you walk kind of hunched over for awhile till things stretch out. The breasts might be numb, but there's still pain from swelling. The first week you can't reach up or down for anything. Make sure anything you will need is at counter height.

Constipation is a worry, have stool softener on hand.

I am almost two years out. For the most part all is well. I had two revision surgeries to get the size and shape right. I'm getting nipples next month. The appearance is wonderful, but I'm still very numb in the tummy area. I dislike that very much. The breasts have regained more sensation than I expected. The left breast gives me no issues. The right breast however still tends to swell at times and can be very uncomfortable. It's like somebody screwed it on too tight. The surgeon said sometimes this happens and it may always be this way.

If you have any questions just ask. There are no dumb questions and you will get lots of support on this forum. Good luck.

Jiffrig

oh dear, maybe I shouldn't have asked! 😳😳

debiann

Have you visited the DIEP forum? Lots of good information there. Sorry if my post scared you. The first couple weeks are challenging, but you get better every day. I went back to work half days week five and full days week six.

For the most part I'm satisfied with the outcome, except for when I experience the swelling in lefty, which is happening this week so it has me kind of cranky. When it acts up I need to revert to wearing a tight sports bra for compression. I wish this breast was numb!

debiann

Oh, can't forget this, lots of pillows on the bed when you get home to make yourself a little "nest". You can't lay flat or on your side for awhile. Some women prefer a recliner, but I liked to stretch out on the bed with pillows supporting my back and legs. The husband was banished to the spare bedroom.

Jiffrig

yes, I hate that part. I do not have a recliner and doubt I would sleep in one anyway. I like my bed, but I also have to fall asleep on my side. Guess I will have to drug myself. How long were you in hospital

debiann

I think I slept there 4 nights, 3 in the ICU and one in a regular room. But the first night I got to the room very late because surgery lasted so long. In the ICU there is one nurse to two patients, so you get a lot of attention. They wake you every couple hours to check the blood flow with a doppler.

luckylegs64

Hi Jiffrig,

You must be in the midst of chemo now...hang in there and I"m sorry you are having to go through all of this. My mastectomy was subcutaneous/nipple sparing in 2011. I woke up feeling like an elephant had sat on my chest all night - surgery was 7 hours. I did not have any tummy surgery as you will. However, I am a PT and I would strongly encourage you to ask your surgeon for a referral for PT as soon as you are able. I am 5 years post surgery and wish I had done more to keep my shoulder range of motion and core strength. You have the addition of the stomach surgery, so I would recommend considering this as you feel up to it! You've got a long life ahead of you, so rehab that body!! Bless you!

Jiffrig

thanks for the advise, lucky! He did mention there would be physical therapy after which I will certainly take advantage of. At 67 I need all the help I can get!