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belleb
belleb Member Posts: 170
edited August 2014 in Living Without Reconstruction After a Mastectomy

My BMX was Friday and I just saw my flatness for the first time when we took off the Ace bandage and put on the camisole. I was surprisingly ok with seeing myself. I'm obviously still a bit swollen but overall I think I'm going to be very happy with my choice. The only pain I'm having is with the drains...they are uncomfortable, but not terrible. Hoping I continue to improve as the week goes on. 

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  • Ariom
    Ariom Member Posts: 6,197
    edited July 2014

    Hi bellb, I am so pleased to hear how well you're doing. I understand about the drains, I think most of us found them to be really irritating, but fortunately they do the job and will be gone soon.

    I am a Uni, but I had no issue seeing myself for the first time either and I haven't any regrets about my choice. The swelling and bruising was pretty well all gone for me, in about 6 weeks.

    I wish you all the best for a speedy recovery!

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited July 2014


    Like you, I was surprised at how well I dealt with my mastectomy.  Very little post op pain, just fatigue.  Difficulty finding a way to sleep comfortably, and the drains are weird.  But those things go away very quickly. I was so surprised that I had no staples, no stiches, just one long but perfect scar that had been "glued."  I didn't even know that, and couldn't understand the bits of dried flaky stuff that did look like super-glue that kept flaking off from under my armpit.  I thought it might be dry skin but it was surgical adhesive. Heehee.   

    One of my drain tricks was to make a "necklace" out of yarn (or whatever), then hang the drains on it while I showered.  I be "they" have come up with better options since then.  I know I was itching to get those drains out.  But they do their job so keep them as long as you need to.    

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  • glennie19
    glennie19 Member Posts: 6,398
    edited July 2014


    Drains are a pain, but you will feel sooooo good when they are out!  Rock your flatness like a bad ass, belleb!

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  • belleb
    belleb Member Posts: 170
    edited July 2014

    Took off the big bandages today and got my first look at my new chest. It's so cute and I hope I continue to feel this way. I'm tolerating the drains but looking forward to never having to empty one ever again! lol They are so annoying, but I know they have a job to do. I'm terrified of getting them out because they are already sore at the site - how much of the drain is actually inside me, anyone know?? Are we talking inches? Feet?

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited July 2014

    You might be the first to call your new chest "cute," and I love it!  I look at my flat side and often wish my other side was flat. And that's exactly what I thought...that it would be kind of adorable actually. You look quite petite, and with your short hair you probably look every bit the waif, pixie, sprite.  Adorable.

    As for the drains, don't sweat it.  I felt the same, waiting for the very first day I didn't produce enough fluid and I could call to get them out.  But you WANT that drainage!  I was so impatient because a.) I am really "natural"--I just hate things in me, or being connected to things like IVs or catheters, etc., and b.) because someone had done me the disservice of saying "it hurts so much" to have them removed!   I'm sure we all have different pain tolerances, and it probably depends on how long they're left in, but that comment made me afraid to have it done.  The doctor didn't help when she said "OK, some people say this hurts, so take a big breath then blow it out.  I did...and she pulled while I exhaled.  I SWEAR to you I did not feel a THING!  Not a THING. 

    As for your question about length of the tube...it just goes from the exit up to the wound. So it's inches, not feet. I'm sure others have had different experiences, but I hope you don't sweat it because I'm guessing you're a lot like I was.  I had already peeked into my bandages the day of the procedure.  I'd showered the next day (and almost went to my daughter's concert that night). I'm just sure you'll be forgetting all about this part soon.


     

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  • AnnieQ2012
    AnnieQ2012 Member Posts: 3
    edited July 2014

    hello friend...

    You will do well.  There are many of us here~~ and this is a very helpful sight.  I wish I had found it earlier myself. The drains are a pain.... But once they are out... You will be surprised how fast you can continue to heal....

    Very best wishes to you

    Hugs

    Annieq

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  • belleb
    belleb Member Posts: 170
    edited July 2014

    Thanks guys! I am really trying to not stress about the drains coming out, but I am definitely skeeeeered! I am hoping I'm like you, whatnow, and don't feel it. Fingers crossed!!

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  • glennie19
    glennie19 Member Posts: 6,398
    edited July 2014


    I was really worried about them pulling the drains too. I had heard a lot of stories about how much it hurt. I took a pain pill before I went. And it DID NOT HURT AT ALL.   And it was not because of the pain pill,, LOL,, cuz it hadn't kicked it yet. I just felt a tugging sensation, that was it.  And I have to say: don't rush to get them out. I was in a darn hurry and as soon as I hit 25cc,, I was on the phone, wanting it done.  Well, my body was not done producing fluid yet and I ended up having fluid collect under my incision.  The first time he stuck a needle in there and drained me, he pulled out 143 cc.  So don't be in a rush. A couple extra days will be OK.   I got stuck 3 times before he was decided I'd had enough pulled out of me.

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited July 2014

    Drains are a pain, yes, but they are there for a very necessary reason and if removed too early can let fluid build up that then possibly has to be drained by doctor with a syringe, and slows healing. Follow your Doctor's advice for best results.

    Bandages just off and you call it "cute" - that is a great positive start.

    We wish you all the best recovery.

    The Mods

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  • Meadow
    Meadow Member Posts: 2,007
    edited July 2014

    Yes love the cuteness! You can be such an encouragement with that positive attitude thank you!

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  • crystalphm
    crystalphm Member Posts: 1,138
    edited July 2014

    Cute, What a positive attitude! And you sure are cute! The drains come out *fast* so even if there is a pinch, it is fast. Nothing to dread because getting to the other side is worth it! (drainless).

    And like others say, nothing to rush about either. I had one in for 3 weeks, the other was in 1 week, and I healed flat and smooth and no more draining ever needed.

    Let us know!


     

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  • suzygirl
    suzygirl Member Posts: 22
    edited July 2014

    It seems everyone experiences drain removal differently -- but each and everyone of us is so glad when they are gone!  I want to be another check mark in the "No Pain at All" column.. The nurse did say to take a deep breath, and when I exhaled, it was out -- and each time I didn't even know it. She pointed out that I was numb in most of the areas the drains reached. My drains were two quite different lengths, and the longer one was closer to a foot in length or even more, the other one maybe 8 inches.  It's over in seconds, so even if it hurts, it shouldn't be for long. And it's so absolutely wonderful to be drain-free!

    Here's to your speedy recovery. You are off to a fine start.

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  • Tomboy
    Tomboy Member Posts: 3,945
    edited July 2014

    didn't hurt a bit for me, about a foot!

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  • belleb
    belleb Member Posts: 170
    edited July 2014

    Thanks for putting my mind at ease! I tend to get worked up over little things like this lol. My output is down to 18ccs or so on each side (that's my first wake up empty, once during the day and right before bed), so I am thinking Monday I should be able to get them both out. Hopefully I will be feeling better after they are gone, right now I feel like I'm stuck in my recovery. I've woke up feeling the same every morning since the surgery....waiting to turn a corner!

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  • glennie19
    glennie19 Member Posts: 6,398
    edited August 2014


    Hey, belle, how are you?  Got those drains out yet?

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  • belleb
    belleb Member Posts: 170
    edited August 2014

    Hi glennie! Yes, got the drains out yesterday...phew! I didnt enjoy that very much, but glad they are out. I'm still really sore at the drain sites and well, pretty much everywhere, but hanging in there. I am dying to go through my closet and see how things fit now, but I must be patient. I can't get anything over my head yet lol

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  • glennie19
    glennie19 Member Posts: 6,398
    edited August 2014

    Glad you got the drains out!!  yeah,, getting things over your head takes a bit.  I bought some cheapie Hawaiian style button up shirts and wore those for a while.

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  • crystalphm
    crystalphm Member Posts: 1,138
    edited August 2014

    Yes it does take a while to get things over your head. And what I learned the hard way was in the morning I felt comfortable pulling things over my head, but at night, to remove a few pieces of clothing back over my head was difficult.

    I was sore at the drain sites too, and that takes a while to calm down.

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  • belleb
    belleb Member Posts: 170
    edited August 2014

    Three weeks post op now and this last week I have turned a corner (yay!) in recovery. I still have soreness and numbness, but my range of motion is improving and I feel like every day I get a little better. The first two weeks I felt like I was stagnant! Every morning I would wake up feeling the same, and I was really concerned that I wasn't going to feel better anytime soon, but this week has reassured me. I saw the surgeon on Wednesday and all is healing well and unless anything else comes up I don't have to see him for another 5 months (another yay!).

    I honestly am so thankful I did not reconstruct. So much of my wardrobe is still wearable (some of it flat, some of it with a Coobie-like bra and a little fiberfill behind the modesty pads). That was my biggest worry about this whole thing, not being able to dress and feel confident, but I truly feel like I can and I will. This board really helped me see that!

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  • glennie19
    glennie19 Member Posts: 6,398
    edited August 2014

    Glad you are doing so well. Have you seen a PT about range-of-motion and strengthening exercises? My surgeon told me to massage my scar, but I couldn't do it well enough myself so the PT was most helpful for that too.  I would recommend it.

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  • Ariom
    Ariom Member Posts: 6,197
    edited August 2014

    I am so glad to hear you've turned the corner too! Feeling better and having no regrets about your decision to not reconstruct gives you more confidence!

    I agree with Glennie, I massaged my chest every day and night and did the PT exercises 4x a day from day 2, after the surgery, adding the stretches after the drain was out,  for range of motion. I had some cording, so I wanted to address that sooner rather than later.

    I also had a massage therapist do some myofascial release therapy to ensure there wasn't any adhesion.

    My surgery was in Dec 2012 and I still do some stretching and massage. I find if I don't do it, I can still get a bit tight in the chest, if I overdo things.

    I wish you all the best!

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  • belleb
    belleb Member Posts: 170
    edited August 2014

    I've been doing the exercises every day and have started massaging my scars with coconut oil to hopefully prevent adhesions! The surgeon said if I find in a few weeks that my range of motion is still lagging then I can see a PT. My range of motion is doing great, so I'm thinking I'll be ok there.

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  • crystalphm
    crystalphm Member Posts: 1,138
    edited August 2014

    Belleb, I am glad you have turned the corner. It does take time to heal, you have to remember it is not just a scar but everything inside needs to heal too. I worried about range of motion the first time, and exercised, and the second time I didn't even worry or exercise and range of motion came back with normal activity.

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