How long is recovery after having no reconstruction?

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Lezza13
Lezza13 Member Posts: 957
edited June 2014 in Living Without Reconstruction After a Mastectomy

I want to have my painful implants removed.  I was wondering how long it took you ladies to go back to your regular routines or jobs after the procedure of without reconstruction. I am comfortable with being flat.  I am just looking at the recovery period. I was thinking it would take two weeks like my PS said.  If it takes longer than that I would really like your feedback in making my decision.  I would either do it with a two week recovery period or wait until I could take four weeks of work and have it done.

Thank you for any feedback. It is really  important in my upcoming decision.

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Comments

  • Melrosemelrose
    Melrosemelrose Member Posts: 3,018
    edited November 2012

    Leeza- Didn't know you were having trouble with your implants.  I had a UMX w/o reconstruction.  I felt pretty well after a few weeks post surgery.  I must have been well enough since  I started chemo about 4 weeks after I had emergency surgery to fix a bleeder.   I'm assuming you will have post surgical drains.   Because the nerve endings have been cut, I am still a little numb in the area.  You may want to have that extra time to heal and not rush back to your job.  Wishing the best as always!!!!

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  • politicomama
    politicomama Member Posts: 187
    edited November 2012

    I had a bmx with no reconstruction on Oct 17th, and I am basically back to normal.  I am 32 and have two kiddos.   

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  • BikerLee
    BikerLee Member Posts: 355
    edited November 2012

    i was good for work and commuting by bicycle at one week after my double mx.  but, to be honest, i think the general consensus is that i'm a freak of nature.

    seriously, tho... without the recon, it think it's far easier.  it took me probably 2 solid weeks before my range of motion was like 90%... and on the side with the sentinel node biopsy, i had quite a lot of numbness.  but, i was able to do pretty much what i wanted to do within a week.

    my biggest issue was probably sleeping - trying to get comfy so that i could get a solid night's sleep.  that didn't really happen until after the drains were out - day nine.

    good luck!  i hope it goes rather easily for you....

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  • crystalphm
    crystalphm Member Posts: 1,138
    edited November 2012

    I think it varies...it shouldn't be as extensive as having a mastectomy because your own tissue won't be removed.

    I was back working with both arms in 3 weeks, but I was slower and hurt often....so I would say honestly, 3 months to be over the surgery aspects.

    But we all are different, you want the implants out, so it is a surgery you are seeking. The mastectomies were not something I wanted to happen, so my attitude was different. I wish you the very best!

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  • Chrisrenee77
    Chrisrenee77 Member Posts: 1,032
    edited November 2012

    I did my original BMX without recon back in June. I was back to work 3 weeks later. But I also think it also has to do with how much you do your exercises from PT. I did mine 3-6 times a day and had full range of motion back by 2 wks.

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  • coraleliz
    coraleliz Member Posts: 1,523
    edited November 2012

    I think it depends what kind of job you have. I work 12hr shifts as a RN. I took 4 weeks off. My surgeon thought 12hr shifts were unreasonable during that time. I had drains for 6 days but after that, I was going to the gym, hiking & running. I think I could have gone back sooner but need a release from the doctor. I didn't have any PT or exercises, just made up my own. Probably not a good idea. Lots of variables. I did enjoy my time off(feel a little guilty about that). I went back to work before my treatment plan came together. ALND or not. Chemo or not. RADs or not. This doctor or that doctor......

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  • Lezza13
    Lezza13 Member Posts: 957
    edited November 2012

    Melrosemelrose:  How are you?  It is so nice to hear from you.  Yes, the implants are a pain in the ass.  Thanks for the input and wishing you the best always

    Coraliz- Thanks  I am going to take 4 weeks.  I am lucky enough to be  a teacher so I will give myself enough time to recover.   I have already been through PT, no rads, just want them out.  Best wishes to you.

    Chrisrenee77-  Nice to hear you got back to work so soon. Hope you are doing well.  I did all my exercises with PT. Guess will do some more.

    BikerLee- Guess you are the exception. Good for you.  Thanks for the wishes.  Same wishes to you in the future,

    crystalpalm-  Yes, each one of us heals differently. I am going to take the four weeks. Thanks.  Best wishes to you too

    Thank you ladies. I will have only two drains but I will do this in the summer.  Take care and thanks for your support and responses.

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  • cyano
    cyano Member Posts: 67
    edited November 2012

    I had a UMX with SNB and was able to go for a 2 mile walk the next day. I was back to running a week later when I had my drains out. I was in pretty good shape before surgery so that helped. It's funny - I was dreading the surgery and figured I'd sail through chemo. The opposite turned out to be true for me.

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  • beachmd
    beachmd Member Posts: 19
    edited November 2012

    Have any of you have a tight chest that hasn't gone away. I was reading about that. Also does anyone know what is the time frame for going back in water or activity like golf? Having my surgery on mon. Needless to say I am anxious.

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  • Erica3681
    Erica3681 Member Posts: 1,916
    edited November 2012

    beachmd, 

    In most cases, the tightness will go away, though in some women it takes longer than others. I highly recommend seeing a good physical therapist after surgery (I saw mine after two weeks, though most wait at least 4-6 weeks), preferably one who specializes in breast cancer or at least treats a number of post-breast-surgery patients. Myofascial release, which breaks up scar tissue, can ease the tightness and let you return to fully normal function (for playing golf!). My PT had the most gentle touch, yet I believe her help caused the tightness to disappear very quickly and enabled me to regain my full range of motion. Be aware, also, that some women experience transient sensitivity on their chests as nerves begin to regenerate. But, in almost all cases, that too goes away quickly.

    You might check out my non-profit website, BreastFree.org, for more information about all this. 

    I hope your surgery goes well!

    Barbara

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  • Joanna66
    Joanna66 Member Posts: 14
    edited November 2012

    Hi everyone,

    I had my BMX with SNB with no reconstruction on 11/6.  I went back to work yesterday (desk job but some lifting involved).  I was able to do basic self-care the afternoon after the surgery.  I am fully functional now although not back to my normal range of motion and still have some soreness, tightness and pinching in the underarm area.  Also, some stabbing pains in the incision and underarm from nerve healing.  I have started to gradually go back to my yoga and running and I do a little every day.

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  • MMSS
    MMSS Member Posts: 103
    edited December 2012

    Lezza, If I understand your question correctly you have already recovered from your mastectomy and just want to have your implants removed. This is a much simpler procedure. I had breast implants for over 30 years and had them removed about 5 years ago. It was an outpatient surgery and not terribly painful. The worst part about it was the drains but you have already been there and done that so you know what to expect. There is a funny side to it. If you really want to mess with a plastic surgeon mentally then ask them to do a procedure that will look worse when they finish then when they start. I thought mine was going to cry. My implants had been in so long that they were done the old way which was to install them over the chest muscle and not behind it as they do now. This obviously caused problems with mammograms and I was talked into having them out by a radiologist friend. I probably owe my life to that woman. I now have been diagnosed with a very large but slow growing non agressive breast cancer that we believe probably started behind the implant because it was into the chest muscle when it was finally discovered and to be that big and yet that non agressive (ki-67 of 2, grade 1) it had to have been around for quite a while. If it did start there and had been more agressive and I still had the implants I would be dead by now. I am scheduled for a BMX in Jan and needless to say I am not doing reconstruction. I have decided that flat is beautiful. One thing that you might talk to your PS about is that when they remove implants there is a small pouch of breast tissue sort of a mini breast that remains. This is just enough that you can't wear most of the foobs because they have a flat back. I finally discovered swim forms that are concave on the back. I am looking forward to finally being completely flat so I can get a good quality fake. Good luck to you and it is definitely a much easier procedure than the mastectomy.

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