What to expect from mastectomy

mkkjd60
mkkjd60 Member Posts: 583
edited June 2014 in High Risk for Breast Cancer

Hello, my mom is 71 and has stage iv bc. The only other person in my family to suffer bc is a great aunt who died of it at age 76. I have dense breasts. No adh or alh but still considering mastectomy. Can anyone describe what to expect with a skin saving mastectomy with implants. No nipple sparing. Pain, recovery? Thanks mary

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  • vmudrow
    vmudrow Member Posts: 846
    edited September 2011

    I had nipple sparing but the surgery for me really wasn't too bad. One night in hospital and pain pills for three days. Nipple sparing is an option if you don't have cancer or brca gene. I had alh and strong family history. Let me know if you have any questions.



    Hugs, valerie

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited September 2011

    I had a BMX because of LCIS in one breast.  They subsequently found DCIS in the other breast-neither of this dx's in and of themselves warrent a BMX, but given 6 years of needle biopsies, excisions, MRI's, Ultrasounds and waiting for the other shoe to drop, I decided it was time-and I don't regret it for one minute.

    I had nipple sparing and skin sparing both. Is there a reason you can't have nipple sparing?  If it's simply because you're PS doesn's do it-I would look around a little.  It has made a big difference for me in how I feel about how I look.

      The surgery is not fun.  I spent 3 days in the hospital-they did an amazing job with pain management, so I can't complain about that.  I came home with 4 drains, which from what I've seen here and everyone I've talked to is the most difficult part.  2 came out after the first week and the other 2 came out the following week.  I was off all pain medciation by then, but continued on PRN muscle relaxants-and continure to while I'm undergoing reconstruction.

      My PS put in 100 cc's right after they removed my breasts and I've had 2 more 100 cc fills and then one 75 cc fill.  I have one more scheduled and then I think we'll be headed for exchange surgery.

    It's a process, and as I think everyone here would say, it's an "up and down" ride.  Some days, in the beginning, I felt GREAT and couldn't believe how easy it was, and then I would have my down days where I was just sick and tired of the whole thing and wanted to be done with it.  I am impatient now for the exchange surgery so I can put it all behind me.  I can tell you, having never had great looking boobs, and then nursing two children, my boobs have never looked better in my life!

      Be more than happy to answer any specific question you have.  I'm about 10 weeks out from the surgery.  PM me if you want to.  Pat

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  • mawhinney
    mawhinney Member Posts: 1,377
    edited September 2011

    I had a unilateral mx with immediate tissue expander placement.  Stayed overnight in hospital. Only took 2 pain pills at home and only took them because my nurse had said to take them to stay ahed of any pain. Discovered I didn't need the pain pills. I was sore when I moved certain ways but not in pain.  On my 2nd day home I went out to lunch with friends. The surgery did zap my strength and I tired easily and took frequent naps.

    I had a skin sparing mx but my nipple and areola were removed as I had Stage 1b invasive cancer plus DCIS.   The exchange from the TE to the implant was a much easier than the mx. An out patient procedure. My drain was bothersome but doable. Implant reconstruction is a series of steps &  procedures over a number of months even when there are no complications. I recommend a very helpful & thorough book that explains all the details of differenct types of reconstruction.  THE BEAST RECONSTUCTION GUIDEBOK  by Kathy Steligo

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