Breast and Ovary Surgery at the Same Time

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strngwmn39
strngwmn39 Member Posts: 77
edited February 2019 in Surgery - Before, During, and After

I'd love to hear from anyone who has had breast surgery and a salpingo-oopherectomy (ovaries and fallopian tubes removed) at the same time. I have BRCA 2 and I'm scheduled to have bilateral mastecomies for breast cancer (I have bilateral disease) and the ovarian surgery at the same time on August 12. 

What is the recovery like?  I know the ovarian surgery is laproscopic, which is easier to recover from, but I'm concerned about having both my upper body and my lower body recovering from surgery at the same time. How hard is it?

Thanks so much!

Michelle, age 40 

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  • AngelaD
    AngelaD Member Posts: 52
    edited August 2009

    Hi Michelle - 

    I had my BLM, SNB, TE, OOPH & BL HYS all on October 13, 2008.  I'm very glad I had everything done together.  The surgery went great, 9 hours in all, and I hardly noticed the laproscopic ooph, and hysterectomy.  

    I am an active 42 year old, non-smoker/drinker and in above average shape.  I'm not sure how it impacts everyone else.  The worst part was the 3 weeks of resting and not moving arms above 45 degrees that drove me crazy!  All in all, the recovery was more boring than painful.  Make sure you have something for the gas.  I should've taken something to cut down on the abdominal post-surgery gas.  I was home from the hospital in 2.5 days, and off the narcotics in about 5 days.

    Have had exchange now and nipples are almost done.  All is well.  Best of luck with your surgery. 

    AngelaD 

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  • TXBadboob
    TXBadboob Member Posts: 597
    edited August 2009

    Hi Michelle,

      I'm sorry, I didn't have the mx and oopher/hyster at the same time, but I had my exchange and oopher/hysterectomy at the same time.  The abdomen area was quite sore, but not even bad enough for pain pills, and the incisions were tiny(laproscopic).  The exchange was also no big deal, except the nauseau after surgery.

      My mx itself was quite a bit harder.  In the hospital two days, had to sleep sitting up on a big pillow for about four weeks, and I took pain pills as necessary.  Don't be afraid to take them, they will help a lot.  I went back to work part time after two weeks for a week, then on to normal time.  Don't rush it.  If people want to help you, have them bring meals you can heat up, and of course cleaning if you're alone.  You won't be able to lift your arms at first, so set things down at your level.

      Right after surgery, take something to avoid constipation, I didn't have it with mx, but I had it with the exchange/oopher, and it took forever to go away.  I did start walking as soon as I could, as that was the only exercise I was allowed for awhile.  Walk, walk, walk, it will help you.

    Hope you breeze through it,

    Deen

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  • coonie
    coonie Member Posts: 7,618
    edited August 2009

    Hi Michelle

    I had bilateral mast and ooph at the same time. Went home within 24 hours. Was a little sore for a few days. The worse part was the drains, but still it wasn't so bad. Took a trip about 4 weeks later and havent' stopped since. Good luck to you!! It is doable and I think you'll be glad to have it behind you!!!

    (((((((((((((((((((((gentle hugs)))))))))))))))))))

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  • danny5280
    danny5280 Member Posts: 9
    edited August 2009

    Hi,

     I had dbl mast, full hyst and reconstruction (expanders) all at the same time.  The hysterectomy was done thru an old c-section scar.  I too am really glad I did all the surgery at once.  It wasn't as bad as I anticipated.  The hyst part was worse than the mast - probably because it wasn't done lap.  I thought the hardest part of the recovery was being tired, the pain was for the most part well controlled.  You have a good day and then would tend to do more than what was recommended and then you would pay for it the next day!  The doctors know what they are talking about when they tell you to take it easy the first few weeks. 

    You will do great!

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  • strngwmn39
    strngwmn39 Member Posts: 77
    edited August 2009

    Thank you all so much. I had a feeling that this would be manageable, but I wanted to make sure. I'm having bilateral mastectomies with immediate reconstruction (tissue expanders) on August 12. Wasn't prepared for this added surgery, but I'm up for it (BSO). 


    Thanks for the feedback!
    michelle 

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  • lovinmomma
    lovinmomma Member Posts: 1,879
    edited August 2009

    I had a bilat mast and abdominal hyst on the same day. 5 hour surgery. 2 nights in the hospital and did good. I really did not notice the hyst and ooph very much. I think you will do great!!

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  • Cathy123
    Cathy123 Member Posts: 72
    edited August 2009

    Hi Michelle,

    I'm 58 and had a bilateral, salpingo ooph, and immediate DIEP reconstruction on 7/17. Still having a lot of tightness in the breast area, stomach is doing much better, just a little puffy and swollen.  The worst part for me has been the breast area, doing my exercises and walking every day but the tightness is getting very old and wearing me down. 

    Hope all goes well for you.

    Cathy

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  • RocRenee
    RocRenee Member Posts: 2
    edited January 2018

    I have both Breast and Ovarian Cancer and I need help with these questions.  Is it a good idea to have both surgeries at the same time.  I am scheduled on the 16th of January.  Also I go to school part-time how long is recovery time to be able to at least attend my classes which is only two days in a week.

    Renee


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  • RocRenee
    RocRenee Member Posts: 2
    edited January 2018

    Hi Angela

    I am 55 and going through this frightens me because I have hypertension.  However your post regarding your sugery recover help me with a few concern questions...I am having the same surgery in two weeks and I would like to know how long and how often did your oncologist schedule your chemo appiontments.

    Renee

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited January 2018

    Hi RocRenee, and welcome to our community. We are sorry to hear all of what you are going through. That's alot to deal with, but we are here for you!

    We want to alert you that this topic is old (no activity since 2009), and suggest that you start a new topic to get more feedback .

    Sending you gentle hugs.

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  • hapi2bee
    hapi2bee Member Posts: 19
    edited June 2018

    Hi Renee, I'm not Angela, I am her mother. Both Angela and I are BRCA1 positive. I had ovarian at 51 and BC at 73 - just had BMX in March. To answer your question tho, Angie didn't have to have chemo as she had a non invasive type of BC (DCIS). All the best to you.

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  • Silverpullet
    Silverpullet Member Posts: 28
    edited February 2019

    I had a double mastectomy with expanders and a total hysterectomy on the same day. Robotic hysterectomy, and was super simple. Had no issues, took a lot of time and healing for the mastectomies thoug

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