What can I expect immediately following my PBMX?

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dmarie71
dmarie71 Member Posts: 81
edited November 2014 in Surgery - Before, During, and After

After 3 years of doing high risk surveillance and having 5 biopsies, 3 lumpectomies, several cysts aspirated and more recent findings on my MRI and mammogram...I am DONE! I have a scheduled surgery date of January 21st. I am terrified...I think mostly of the pain involved with waking up with the expanders wedged under my pecs. Can someone please explain to me what you felt immediately upon waking from surgery and in the 24 and 48 hours afterward. I am preparing for the worst but would love to hear your experiences. Also, I've read a previous post explaining about a pain med offered during surgery that "bathes" the area internally and provides some additional relief. I can't seem to find the post, but I would like to discuss this with my PS. Can someone supply the name of this med? Thanks so much for your help! I've found so much strength from reading this site.

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  • farmerlucy
    farmerlucy Member Posts: 3,985
    edited November 2014

    I had very little pain and I was on tylenol only at day three, however I did have a pain ball around my neck for five days that automatically released meds to the area. I don't know the name. It was great. My insurance wouldn't cover it and it was like an additional $250 but completely worth it. My PS was incredibly thorough and gave me a booklet with step by step instructions, all the prescriptions to get ahead of time, info on how to set up the dressing changing area. I followed everything to the letter of the law. Honestly the thought of the mx was much worse than the actuality of it. The most wonderful thing you're going to feel when you wake up is the thrill of knowing you outran the beast. I don't know what type of recon you're having, if any, but TEs are not easy. I highly suggest you join the January 2015 surgery sisters thread, and peek in at some of the other months. You will learn so much. Take care. You got this!

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  • Akevia
    Akevia Member Posts: 209
    edited November 2014

    I had a mastectomy a week ago and when I woke up I had very little pain. A week later no pain but the drains are getting on my nerves. I took over the counter meds in the beginning. Good luck

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  • AmyQ
    AmyQ Member Posts: 2,182
    edited November 2014

    I don't recall pain immediately following the BMX - at least not from the surgery. I had tissue expanders that hurt like heck but the actual surgical site was a piece of cake. Good luck -

    Amy

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  • daisylover
    daisylover Member Posts: 310
    edited November 2014

    I did not have reconstruction so have no experience with those discomforts. Pain was minimal and I took only Tylenol for post surgery pain - even same day and overnight in the hospital. I will say that my discomfort increased a week later when I developed a seroma and nerves began healing. At that point, Gabapentin did the trick. I began walking in the hospital the day of surgery and walked often. I think it helped to manage the pain? It was manageable!

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  • Maureen1
    Maureen1 Member Posts: 614
    edited November 2014

    (((dmarie71))) I hope your surgery goes well…I did not have a lot of pain following my surgery, the biggest discomfort was the drains and a "burning" sensation in the tissue where the sides of my breasts were - my doctor said it was the nerve endings. Ice packs were really helpful with relieving that pain. Otherwise I just used Tylenol #3 during the first few days then plain Tylenol after that. I think the medication you are referring to is called "Exparel" - it is a local anesthetic that lasts up to 72 hours so it provides wonderful pain control for the first 3 days. They inject it into the tissue during surgery so you don't need a lot of other medications to control the pain for those first few days. It is expensive but it is approved for use in breast reconstruction so hopefully your insurance will cover it? The important thing with Exparel is to start taking some oral pain meds (even if it is just Tylenol) by the 3rd day so when this medication wears off the pain doesn't blindside you. I'll be thinking of you…take care, (((Hugs))) Maureen

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  • DiveCat
    DiveCat Member Posts: 968
    edited November 2014

    Are you having recon?

    I had PBMX with direct to implant. The first few hours I had lots of nausea, despite lots of anti-nausea drugs during surgery before I woke up and pain that was not easy to get under control at first. However, once we got those under control it was much better. I was off narcotics by Day 3, just over the counter painkillers and anti-inflammatories. I did not have the pain ball or on-q pump or anything like that.

    The drains were not comfortable, though not painful. They limited my movements, and they were sometimes uncomfortable as they coiled around my new implants (you could see them through skin) and pressed against my ribs at times. If I moved the wrong way, the drain incision could pinch as well. They were out after a week and then it was much better.

    Most of my discomfort was really swelling or pressure from the implants - and a tightness in my chest.

    As I healed, the feelings changed...it did sometimes feel like my underarms or sides were sunburned or chafed - I understand this can be related to the nerves....I used soft ice packs for relief (being careful of course with where they were and how long I used them). This passed though as well.

    I looked far worse than I felt! It is not the norm, but I was able to (and cleared) to walk rather long distances 3-4 days out and started walking 4-6 miles a day and felt pretty great. Slower, but good.

    It was all, for me, very, very doable. I felt quite back to normal quite soon and have no ongoing pain or discomfort at this point


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  • dmarie71
    dmarie71 Member Posts: 81
    edited November 2014

    I am having reconstruction...those dreaded TEs which I completely fear!!! I will then be exchanging for saline implants...not very happy about that but I have a connective tissue disease (an autoimmune disease) and my rheumatologist is adamant that I not do silicone. I'm concerned what my aesthetic outcome will be?!?!?!?

    Thank you all so much for your responses. I can do this!!!!!

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