What to expect for umx recovery?

Lefty_Lucy

I have surgery #1 coming up next week. It's not the big one (second mastectomy with reconstruction/DIEP flap), which I feel like I have more of an idea of what to expect recovery time to be like. Any experiences with unilateral mx? Everything has happened so fast and everyone took time to explain what recovery would be like for reconstruction, but I have no idea with this one. The first surgeon I saw told me one day, but I don't quite buy that??

mightlybird01

ONE DAY! What a joke. But honestly, it was not too bad for me. I had right mastectomy without any form of reconstruction. Full recovery took 5 weeks for me. Significantly better by 3 weeks. But the first 1-2 weeks is rather uncomfortable. It was not painful, but sore and a pain to have to have the drains (mine were only in for 5 days). As with any medical procedure, the better shape you are in when you start the easier recovery will be. But certainly not one day. So keep fit and moving as much as you can throughout the whole process.

Lefty_Lucy

Thank you, that helps! I’m trying to figure out when I’ll be ok going back to being on my own taking care of two little kids. Thankfully I’ll get surgery on the left this time and I’m right handed, so I’m hoping my husband can take off just 1.5 weeks, then have my parents come help for another week or so? I figure after two weeks I’ll be a lot better, but I just have no idea.

mightlybird01

I did not have to care for little kids, but I would say that yes, after 2 weeks you can do most things apart from heavy lifting on the affected side. The first week is really the most crucial, after that, you can probably do most things, just being careful and not overdoing it. For me, I needed about 4 days to get over the anesthesia too. I had not much appetite and constipated from the anti-nausea medication. Just overall, the first 4-5 days, you may really need to rest much more than usual, not only because of discomfort on the surgery site, just getting over the anesthesia part. There is some rule of thumb, that it takes 1day for each h under anesthesia to get over it. The body needs time to metabolize all those drugs.

bcincolorado

Had not heard that mightybird but it sure seems right to me!! I had my mx in the afternoon and by noon next day was home resting. Docs said the big bad germs live in the hospital and not in your house!! Drains in. On serious pain meds and slept a lot. After drains came out I then I felt I could go out and about but some people feel well enough and go out with drains in. It may depend on how much help you have at home and how much you are trying to do yourself how fast you recover as well.

TB90

I did leave the hospital only hours after the surgery. I only had discomfort when I moved. For me the drain was the worst. Sleeping was a bit challenging. Compared to any other surgeries I have had, this was pretty straight forward. But to care for small children us an entire different matter. You have no choice but to move and they will want to be near you and then the possibility of bumps, etc. So you may need help for a couple of weeks. But I did start my stretches right away did push myself to be as active as I could. Prepare for the worst and expect the best

Lefty_Lucy

Thanks for all the info, y'all. It's so tough getting an idea of what I'll be able to do when. This has helped a lot.