Pain after mastectomy

Lindsaygirl

I had a double MX 18 days ago, along with lymph node extraction, and have implant/reconstructive sugery in 2 days. I did not have any expanders put in. I am still having severe nerve pain across both breasts, as well as painful tightness. I am so nervous about going in to another surgery in this condition. I cannot imagine how much more pain there will be after implants. Does anyone have any experience with this?

Thanks, Kelley

MTwoman

I am sorry that you're still having significant pain, Kelley. I found that my pain decreased once I was allowed to do my (gentle) arm stretches. I couldn't have my surgeries close together (or do multiple steps at one time) due to getting a pretty big hematoma after my initial lx. I'm hoping someone else will come along soon to share their experiences. Sending you warm thoughts and gentle ((hugs))

Beatmon

it sounds like you may have post surgical pain syndrome. It may be better for a day or 2 after surgery if you have the pain bomb...but then it may be back. Some women are helped by massage and neurontin. You might want to check on the thread on here. I'm so sorry. I was good for three weeks then Bang...terrible nerve pain

Lindsaygirl

Thank you so mucy Beatmon; your response is very helpful. Sometimes it just helps to know that I am not the only one experiencing this.

Lindsaygirl

Thank you so much MTWoman. I only felt comfortable doing small stretches with my fore arms about 2 days ago, so I will continue with that for sure, once I get the OK from the doctor.

MTwoman

Kelley, once your doctor gives you the ok, the 'fingers walking up the wall' stretch was the one I found the most helpful. (tight at first, but then got amazing results). Good luck!

Lindsaygirl

Thank you MTwoman for your reply; I am so sorry that I did not see it earlier. October was a bit of a foggy time.

I wish I had better news to report. I am 13-weeks post reconstruction, and I am still in severe pain - shotting pulliing pain across most of my breasts, along with severe tightness under my breasts. My doctor put the Ideal implants in below my pectoral muscles. He has concluded that this is the cause of my pain, and has recommeded that I have further surgery to move the implants above the pectoral muscles. Needless to say, I am very frustrated. My recovery will basically start all over again. I do not know if this situation would have occurred with a non-Ideal implant. I will go with a smaller silicone implant this time, due to them being placed above the muscles.

Does anyone else have experience with changing from below the pec muscles to above? How invasive is this surgery? Will my recovery be as bad as it was the first time around?

VegGal

I had mine switched to pre-pec in September. The surgery was not bad at all...much less painful than the first exchange, and I also had a lot of fat grafting done. Unlike you, I went larger when going from under to over the muscle.

Good luck!