How bad was post-op pain?

astyanax66

Hi, all,

Can’t believe I’m back on bc.org... I’m in the 9-10% who has a new primary contralateral. Fortunately, not as aggressive as previous. But this is enough! I’m having a bmx and going flat. I’ve had years to think this over, since my mom had breast cancer.

I’m asking here because most discussion is by those who opted for reconstruction. How bad is post-op pain? Without reconstruction? My lumpectomies were not too bad, but my hysterectomy (full incision) was rough...the doctor thought Tylenol and Advil were sufficient. Ouch. I sure don’t want that level of pain again. In perspective, I’ve had kidney stones a few times, and hysterectomy was worse (lasted longer, felt “deeper”).

Breast surgeon has stellar reputation and is apparently beloved by patients, so I’m glad for that.

Thanks,

dee

Yogatyme

I had bmx in Aug 2019 with no reconstruction. I found the pain pretty manageable and only needed opiates for 2 days. After that OTC ibuprofen took care of it. My biggest issues were the extreme fatigue and poor sleep quality due to discomfort from drains and having to sleep on my back. The fatigue could be due to my age —68. So, all in all I would say it wasn't a day at the beach but it was certainly was manageable. I hope for the best for you.

sbelizabeth

I had a unilateral mx, then bilateral DIEP 9 months later. The simple mx was pretty easy. I took narcotic pain meds for a couple of days and then plain Tylenol. Ice packs on the surgical site worked great.

In this era of surgeons being sternly cautioned about the dire effects of sending post-op patients home with narcotic pain relievers, I would have a serious conversation with the surgeon about the pain management plan after surgery. If my surgeon's plan was plain Tylenol, no exceptions, I would find another surgeon. Yeah, I get it--there's an opioid crisis--but denying surgical patients adequate pain relief is not the way to fix it.

Spookiesmom

After bmx I had a few Tylenol. Didn't need anything stronger. The drains were a PITA, but not painful. Everyone is different in their pain tolerance, see if your dr will write rx for just a few, just in case.

The second time around, only one drain, had to drive one day after surgery. No problem then.

AnnC2019

I had discomfort after a unilateral mastectomy and really didn’t take anything for the pain. Going to get the other side off soon and honestly not worried at all and contemplating trying to go back to work after a few days if possible and keeping the drains out of sight. The biggest pain was not being able to sleep on my side. The last tissue expansion was uncomfortable. I have had the TE in since end of August and I will most likely end up getting implants. Going flat wouldn’t be for me

Abelian

My surgeon used a pain block, Exparel, which can last for 96-120 hours. Thanks to that, I had no pain. I would have these weird zingers or twinges when I moved, specially when getting out of bed, but they were momentary.

The drains were somewhat uncomfortable but I only had them for six days.

Best of luck.

LaughingGull

Concur with the rest, pain not bad at all. I took opiates while in the hospital and Tylenol at home. Drains uncomfortable but not really painful. My mastectomies were done at different points in time with six months in between. I am a swimmer and both times I was back in the pool in a month. Did other types of exercise in the meantime.

Also I see you want to go flat, that was my first reaction too,but then I decided to get reconstruction and found those surgeries very easy and the results pretty good. I am very active, keep things practical and simple generally, and I know I am not willing (or capable) to deal with prosthetics and special bras, and I would not enjoy attracting attention to my flatness -I am in swimsuits a lot.

astyanax66

Thanks, all, it sounds like the pain really is manageable. That makes me feel much better!

dee

Yogatyme

dee, Abelien mentioned the pain blocker. My sister had the same for bmx in Dec and it made her recovery significantly easier than mine or my niece’s. Honestly, she was up making Christmas cookies the 2nd day! It might be worth asking for this at surgery....the anesthesiologist is the person who administers.

cutiekate

Just got BMX with tissue expander on 2/19. Doctor prescribed me Oxycodone, but I did not need it. It was manageable.

HeartShapedBox

I did need opiates at night the first couple weeks after my unilateral mastectomy with no reconstruction, but my pain was almost entirely in my armpit from lymph node removal. I was impressed at how little pain I experienced in my actual chest area; there was tightness and some nervey jolts as numb areas woke up, and discomfort from the drain (and soreness after it's removal) but that area was tolerable with otc painkillers alone.

MinusTwo

I took opiates for the first four days only after BMX. I was determined to drive since my son had to fly back home. After that I took aspirin. I know, I know - but I don't like tylanol.

astyanax66

Thanks, I really like the idea of the nerve block. I hope to be able to drive within 2 weeks.

dee