Mastectomy Surgery: CAUTION very graphic photos

Cascadians

The pictures are graphic and astonishing imho. The reality is stark. But interesting.

I had a double mastectomy -- actually I had 2 extra breasts living in my armpits, so quadruple mastectomy -- and my surgeon arranged for a professional videographer to take pictures during the operation.

Searched all over the internet beforehand to find pix of surgery but could not find clear ones so decided to photograph my own surgery.

I would like to post those pictures here but want to ask the Mods for permission first.

Cascadians

This has been up all day asking for permission in addition to another thread asking so I'm going to post the pictures since it looks like doing so is fine and Mods don't think it's a problem.

WARNING: GRAPHIC PICTURES OF BREAST CANCER SURGERY

Don't look if you are squeamish.

Cascadians

Note: The incision is wider and longer than many because it turned out I had 2 extra breasts living in my armpits and those also had to be taken out.

Cascadians

Surgeon had to uncover a lot of space to take out all breast tissue. Big breasts and 2 extra big breasts in armpits.

Cascadians

Next stop: pathology to determine if there's any tumor remaining. CT Scan and Ultrasound before surgery showed zero tumor.

Cascadians

The surgeon did an amazing job. Clean straight line all the way across front and over into back. Most of torso.

Cascadians

Cascadians

I tried everything possible to save my armpits. Read 100s of threads going back years on this forum and learned a lot. Was refusing to let them take any sentinel nodes. Need to keep arm functionality. But then breast surgeon during Pre-0p examined the very large mounds in and under my armpits and said she had to take these extra breasts out. I had no idea they were freaking extra boobs! Tail of Spence. If I had gotten pregnant they would have squirted milk out my armpits. So all my plans to save my arms were dashed. I ended up giving them permission to take 2 sentinel nodes, the first of 2 tracks leading out from the left breast.

jessie123

Thank you --- now I know for sure that I want a lumpectomy (-: No really,- those pictures will be helpful to many people and were interesting. How are you feeling?

SameOldSam

Amazing photos! Thank you so much for sharing! I had my surgery Thursday 25th. Left lumpectomy with nipple removed. Wish I could have got photos. I think these will help a lot of people.

Cascadians

How am I feeling? Stiff and sore but fairly active. Main problem right now is constipation -- haven't had a bowel movement since day of surgery January 23rd. Stuffed myself with water, herbal tea, Senekot, Colace, and Prune juice every day since but no relief yet. Will probably have to do an enema standing up tonight. That will be weird. *sigh*

Have big Q-ball for pain relief which I wear around neck in sack, 2 tubes going into chest below incision as local anesthesia.

Surgeon did nerve blocks which sure helped first couple days.

On Norco which I've taken 1 pill every 4 hours since right before coming home from hospital. That's what makes constipation although surgery also tends to slow down the gut.

Have 2 blasted JP drains that are producing way too much fluid and are a major pain. Ouch! Read many threads where everybody saying the same thing. When the drains slow way down and get removed it will be a wonderful day.

Starting to get the very painful pinching sensation in armpits. What causes that?

Area where breasts used to be still have sensation. A little numb near armpits but nothing too alarming.

Weird phantom sensations, can actually still feel former breasts, very odd.

Getting that strange sensation of cold when swallowing cold water, trippy.

Doing better than I thought I would, especially considering I was skinned like a rabbit and opened very wide. Yikes.

Hoping these pictures help folks know what all is involved in removing the breasts.

WC3

Cascadians:

Thanks for sharing! I find it all really interesting how they perform these. I know some women have breast tissue in their armpits but never thought about the lactation implications.

I also woke up feeling like they were still there. I had a skin sparing mastectomy and TEs placed so it also looked like they were still there. I was pleasantly surprised because I expected to wake up in pain, looking butchered, and feeling like I was missing something but I woke up, saw/felt breasts, and thought for a moment "S***t...I guess they had to abort the surgery...did I have a bad reaction to something?" But then I saw the drains and my mom told me everything went well. I think I laid there for a good 30 minutes though thinking "This is one of those dreams where the thing that was supposed to happen didn't happen but everyone carries on like it did".

Mamihen

Cascadians-

Thank you for posting these.

You are one brave woman and I wish you a speedy recovery.

xoxo

Wigging2000

Thanks so much for sharing these with us. You had quite the involved surgery it sounds like. Goodness!!!!! Take it easy and do what your doctors tell you...and yes the day the drains come out is great day!!!!!!!!