Preventative MX with Reconstruction

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acesmith
acesmith Member Posts: 11
edited January 2018 in High Risk for Breast Cancer

Hello all,

Im a week out from a Bilateral MX with recon. surgery. I was tested and have the BRCA 1 gene mutation after discovering my cousin (who has since passed from Triple Negative Breast Cancer) had the gene as well.

Although I feel as ready as I can be I was hoping that anyone else who has been through any of these surgeries or positions could give me a few tips or pointers with what worked for them. Im in my mid 20s and will be staying with my parents after the surgery for the first week or so.

Please any advice or help would be greatly greatly appreciated. Thank you!

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  • Rrobin0200
    Rrobin0200 Member Posts: 433
    edited November 2017

    hats off to you for being so proactive.

    The only thing that was of a nusciance to me were the drains. They didn't necessarily hurt, but were uncomfortable. Have important things within arm's reach. So glad you're staying with your parents.

    Listen to your body and also to the doctors. You'll be back on your feet in no time.


    Best of luck to you

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  • NicolaSue
    NicolaSue Member Posts: 111
    edited December 2017

    I haven't been through it but I'm wishing you good luck.

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  • ravzari
    ravzari Member Posts: 277
    edited December 2017

    The Surgery - Before, During, and After and Breast Reconstruction will probably be super useful to you if you haven't looked through them already; the first one has tons of threads full of advice and recovery tips, and the second forum has a lot of information (as well as recovery tips, complications that can happen, etc...) about the various different reconstruction topics.

    I didn't have recon, so I can't really help out there, and my recovery from the BMX was pretty uneventful. The drains and having to sleep on my back--I'm usually a side sleeper--were the worst parts, but I didn't have much for pain and didn't have any complications worse than a couple of dog ears which were removed in a revision about 8 months later.

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  • MightyMightyMunson
    MightyMightyMunson Member Posts: 2
    edited December 2017

    I just had my preventative double Masectomy on December 15 and it’s been quite an experience. I don’t like the expanders in my chest but I am beyond grateful to have reduced my cancer risk. One thing I am having a really hard time with is sleeping. I like to sleep on my side and with expanders and drains that’s just a no go. I’m sure the inconvenience and discomfort will pass in time. I’m just so grateful there’s the technology now that can help us identify our risk early so that we can take thesepreventative steps to stay around for family and friends. I hope your recovery is going well.

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  • acesmith
    acesmith Member Posts: 11
    edited January 2018

    @mightymightymunson I hope your recovery is well! today is my 4 week mark. I'm sleeping better (but still not on my sides) slowly but surely I'm able to lay flatter and flatter but I still wish I could go side sleeping! i don't have expanders I went straight to implant since I went bigger than my normal size but only about a cup size bigger. I'm still uncomfortable but can do so much more than a few weeks ago. I still can't really lift or reach ALL the way but most of the way. they have me "massaging" my implants which is a very weird sensation.

    im so happy that you were able to go through with a preventative surgery. I hope you're feeling well!!!

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