Time frame for bilateral masectomy with immediate reconstruction

Hello Mommyathome,

I had BMX surgery about 2 months after diagnosis. Pre-surgery, I had a MRI and blood work (CBC) so not too bad. Surgery day.....I had a spinal block pre-surgery, higher up than during childbirth...LOL but it was supposed to help recovery by lessening the pain signals your brain receives during surgery. You will have general anesthesia. During surgery I had a SNB, the pathologist was their to look at the SLN to determine if axillary lymph node dissection is necessary. Mine was neg so no more nodes taken. I had immediate reconstruction with TE placements with one drain on each side. The two surgeons worked together and the surgery was over in about 3 hours. After surgery, I was kept in the surgery center overnight. Nurses monitored BP, emptied the drains, and gave pain meds. I really did not have too much pain, more soreness, but I will tell you that the drains are literally a pain. Mine came out of me near the bottom of each arm pit, so the tubes rubbed against my skin, But this is temporary. My PS took out the first drain within 5 days and the second on day 7. You will not be allowed to lift after surgery for a month, but you will be up an around after a week or two. Appointments: get ready there are alot! I had appointments with the BS, MO and PS about a week after BMX, but I did spend most of my time at the PS. He was the one who monitored me for infection etc after surgery. My first fill was done in surgery. The second when the drains were removed, and then about every two weeks until we reached the correct size for my body. Once we achieved the correct size we stopped. For me, I started chemo in May. I had four treatments and finished in early July. They wanted to let me recover from chemo for 8 weeks before the exchange surgery. I had my exchange at the end of August, I received high profile silicone implants, they go in through the same incision from BMX and swap the TE for the implant. It was such a relief for me. The perm. implants are much much more comfortable. My BS surgeon sees me every 6 months to check for any recurrence. Its just a simple breast exam or implant exam or chest wall exam...LOL, really no big deal. The best part about BMX is NO MORE MAMMOS I hope this helps.

Hi, Mommyathome-

I was dx'd in September 2011 but thanks to some scheduling issues, didn't have my BMX until December 2011. I checked into the hospital that morning, went down to Radiology for my radioactive isotope shot in my breast (truthfully - nowhere near as bad as some of the stories I'd read here, more bee-stingish), and then went down to Pre-Op where a gazillion people took information from me.

I got to meet my Anesthesiologist, and explained that I wanted NO nausea after surgery ( I didn't) , as well as my whole medical team including my Nurse Navigator.

I got hooked up to a bunch of IVs and just waited. DH, and my BFF took turns keeping me company. Worst part was not getting any lunch.

After surgery, which took 3 or 4 hours, woke up briefly in Post-Op, had minor discomfort (and some nice pain meds) and went up to my room. Surgery had been delayed, so I got no dinner, either! I remember DH feeding me ice chips, then I sent him home.

I did have some pain, but had a PCA (patient controlled anesthesia) machine by my bed so I could press the button whenever I needed to. I do remember being VERY chatty with all the nurses who checked on me all night.

The next day I went home at noon. Bring a pillow to put under your seatbelt. I had my little nest set up in the bedroom, and for the next few days I slept a lot. I also learned to take my pain meds around the clock at first. Many women don't even need them at all. I am retired with no kids at home so my recovery was quiet.

I didn't mind the drains at all, and felt nothing when they were removed two weeks later. I kept clean with Baby Wipes and warm washcloths.

I got 180ccs of fills during my BMX, and a month later started getting fills every two weeks. My PS usually waits three months after the last fill for exchange but I waited a bit longer.

I got my permanent implants in August 2012. The thing that surprised me about this whole thing was how completely disabled I thought I 'd be after surgery, when the opposite was true. Both DH and I were amazed at how soon I became independent.

As far as monitoring, I had no rads and no chemo. I am on Femara for the next four years, and I see my Oncologist every three months. (I'm in a clinical study, or else it wouldn't be that often.)

Sometimes I can't believe how quickly the time has gone.

Wishing you the very best on your surgery in January!

Ask what his plan is generally for the fills- some seem to fill alot during the surgery and do alot during each fill (maybe 100cc). Ladies seem to often have a harder time with that pace- its too much at a time. I had 100 during surgery and then my first after about 3-4 weeks, 50cc a week til I was overfilled by 100cc, which Im at now. He has his patients wait 8 weeks after last fill for exchange. Some will do it sooner, some longer. Are you having nipple sparing mastectomy, or skin sparing? That will make a difference in outcome also. I was unable to, ask Id just had an lx 10 days prior (path rept then showed invasives), so couldnt save the nipples or more skin.

Plan to be in the hospital a day or two. Take advantage of the good meds in the hospital! Youll need help at home for minimum a few days, probably longer. Wont be driving for a few weeks.

Join on the January 2014 surgery thread! and read thru the threads from August, Sept, etc-- theres tons of info and thoughts and experiences from people who have been thru it. Theres also a before,during and after surgery thread on the treatment board-- very helpful!