prophilactic mastectomy- surgery & recovery ???

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Hauntie
Hauntie Member Posts: 483
edited June 2014 in Life After Breast Cancer
My original mastectomy was done more than 17 years ago. I remember
waking up feeling like there was an elephant sitting on my chest.
Movement in my arm was very limited. My prophylactic mastectomy is
scheduled for the first week in August. I would imagine it won't be
quite so involved as the MRM I had the first time, especially since no
nodes need to be removed. But, what's the recovery like? My surgeon is a
firm believer in letting her patients decide when THEY are ready to
leave the hospital. Typical stay is 2-3 days. (My first time around, I
was in the hospital at least 5 days.) I live alone, so I'll probably
stay at least 1 or 2 days. I know everyone is different, but what's the
pain like, how is arm movement affected, how much help will I need when
I get home, post surgical care of the incision, drain/no drain? How soon
were you able to drive? Tell me anything you can think of that might
give me a clearer picture of what this surgery/post surgery will be
like. I plan on asking my surgeon these questions, but I'd still like to
hear from as many of you, as I can, who have, "been there, done that".
Thanks, Lynda
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  • Pessa
    Pessa Member Posts: 519
    edited July 2011

    I had a prophylactic mx about 6 months after mx on the affected side (chemo in between).  Minimal pain after surgery (only needed tylenol).  No wound care (just a dry dressing) and I had the drain for a couple of weeks.  That was the most uncomfortable part.  No reaching with my arm for a few weeks on that side.  I returned to my full time job 2 weeks after the surgery.  I stayed in the hospital for 3 days (my surgeon also left it up to me).  I am a simgle mother and the kids were staying with friends.  I felt I needed the rest in the hospital because I knew that as soon as I returned home I'd have to take care of the kids (ages 13 and 15 at that time).  By the 3rd day I was more than ready to leave the hospital and more than ready to take  care of the kids.  Didn't drive for about 10 days (my decision on that).  Was not a bad experience at all!

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  • firebird
    firebird Member Posts: 64
    edited July 2011

    Clearly the hospital stay times vary depending on the surgeon and where you are; I had a BMX (one prophy) and I only stayed in the hospital overnight. My BS said that "most" people just have the overnight but of course depending on what actually happens in the OR, it is possible that some women might have to stay another night and go home on Day 2 after the surgery. However the majority of her patients are fine to go home the next midday, after a 9am surgery start. No recon although I did have a port put in at the same time as the BMX.



    No pain, didn't even need the Tylenol. I had someone drive me to the first (4th day after surgery) checkup just because I myself was a bit nervous about it, but when I went back for the second one (about 8 days after,because of the way the weekend fell) I drove myself. I had about 75% of normal range of motion pretty much from the get-go, and 100% of it back within two months. Drains came out in... hmmm, trying to remember... less than 2 weeks.



    Ironically, the port limited my motion on that side more than the BMX ever did. Maybe "limited" is not quite the right word; it was more like "made it a bit uncomfortable". That's because the port is sutured to the pectoral muscle and so (especially if you are thin rather than well padded) if you reach, stretch, or lift a bit too much with that arm it actually 'pulls' a bit on the port. Not painful but it was a feeling I didn't care for and so I was glad when the port was eventually taken out.



    Truthfully, I was shocked at what a "piece of cake" the surgery and aftermath was. I was expecting something much more physically traumatic. :-)

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  • creative-mom
    creative-mom Member Posts: 1
    edited July 2011

    Hello!  I was diagnosed on May 16, 2011 with extensive DCIS in my left breast. (ultimately determined that there was some stage 1 invasive breast cancer) On July 1st 2011, I had a bilateral mastectomy -prophilactic on the right side, and the removal of one lymph node.  The bilateral mastectomy was performed as day surgery.  The surgery occurred at 11:30 and we were driving home by 5 pm that day.  I had two drains (one for each side) and they were removed a week later.  I stopped taking the narcotics 3 days after the surgery because I had bad side effects--however I was taking Tylenol and Ibuprofen.  I could not drive the first week because of the range of motion issues and the narcotics-and it wasn't comfortable with the drains.  However, the drains came out on a Friday afternoon, and on Sunday I took a very slow 2 mile walk downtown.  I have since walked 3-4 miles daily (which has helped my mental frame of mind incredibly!) It was three weeks on Friday, and I have about 85 percent of my range of motion back---still can't reach completely over my head or lift my 30lb toddler easily, but each day it is getting a bit easier.  I did have my husband to help out at home.  Initially I could not even lift a gallon of milk!  But my surgeon is also of the mindset that one should do what your body is capable of doing---and she did not set limitations.  However she did schedule a visiting nurse to check on the drains etc.  And we had a lot of friends providing meals which was a great support for us during this time of healing and recovery. Good luck with it all!  I am not a very good sick patient, and I am impatient that I am not 100 % back to normal, however everyone is surprised as to how quickly I bounced back and how great I look.  The first week is the hardest because of the immediate limitations, but it is incredible how quickly your body can bounce back from this surgery! 

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  • Hauntie
    Hauntie Member Posts: 483
    edited August 2011
    I got the pathology report from my recent PMX this afternoon. The report indicated no sign of cancer or of any funky looking cells that might someday become malignant. I'm on cloud 9. Thank you all for your advice, prayers and well wishes for my recovery from this surgery. I am healing and am also ecstatic about my new found freedom in being flat.

    P.S. My new avitar says; "It came, I saw, I kicked its Ass." Feel free to borrow it.

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