July 2015 Surgery Sisters

In regards to some posts of constipation from pain meds. Four days after surgery and no BM, took Colace twice in 24 hr. and nothing. Then DH said remember you had problems before after surgery with this and you took prunes and it worked. Totally forgot about that, so ate four prunes and VOILA, worked like a charm! So am just eating some prunes everyday while on pain meds.

SweetPea, I had my lumpectomy on Thursday and I still have very significant swelling in the breast, chest and slight swelling in my arm. I didn't notice stomach or thigh swelling.

I didn't have much trouble with constipation, but I remembered from previous surgeries that walking really helped my system reboot. So I've been doing some easy walking in the neighborhood.

Good luck to Tshire and healing thoughts to her and everyone recovering today!

Hi Ispy,

My lumpectomy is finally scheduled for 07/23/15. Hope you have started on a great path of recovery.

Plumster - I had my LX a week ago and have been walking and swimming since Friday. I am flying tomorrow after my MO appointment and don't expect any problems. Sending good vibes your way

All my best to those of you recovering and healing and good wishes to those headed in this week.

In another note: One great supplement my chiropractor recommended that I have found works to keep you regular is Magnesium Malate or Magnesium Asporotate. I take 1-2 each night and it works wonders. You can increase as needed to get it to work. It also helps with joint pain.

(((Hugs))) to all of you!

Queen- I have two incisions and on the discharge papers it said I could shower and swim right away. They are dissolving stitches and are healed pretty well. I did swim in a pool that has a salt water system which I thought was therapeutic, for sure. We live in Arizona so getting in that water was refreshing! Not sure I'd have swam in a lake though and I did wash the area with Hibbicleans afterwards. Hope you can get back in the water soon!!

Update: had a preventative bilateral mastectomy last Friday the 10th. Had my first BS post op appointment this afternoon. She removed the drains because there wasn't much fluid all weekend. She said that when lymph nodes are not taken the drainage is less. She does not want me to swim in a pool or beach or soak in the tub, but I am allowed to shower now. Frankly, I am so tired today that I think I'll take a shower tomorrow instead!

I have been able to stop using the percocet for pain. And now I use extra strength tylenol, & I have the ok to use Advil or ibuprofen.

I was worried about constipation with percocet. So I did buy some stool softener. But I only took 2 capsules post op. I also have been eating and drinking things that help. Lots of water. Prunes. Grapes. My daily cup of coffee. Whole wheat bread and waffles. I think the prunes and grapes did it though. This morning I passed that hurdle! Lol. I definitely recommend the prunes to anyone to doesn't mind eating them.

Without the drains, the surgical bra I am wearing is still tight, but feels more comfortable. I don't have to wear it if I don't want to, but it helps to protect the steri strips and keep them in place for a few more days. There was a stitch holding each drain in place. And every time I moved a certain way the stitches would get pulled, and that hurt more than anything. Otherwise I was just sore in the chest area. Having the drains removed was probably more anxiety than anything. I didn't feel a thing on the right side when she pulled that one. But on the left side I was more sensitive and it burned for a minute while she pulled it out and a few seconds after. She also took some bandages off that were over the incisions, which are covered in steristrips. That was like pulling off a bandaid that had been stuck on a sensitive spot for a few too many days. But not bad overall and I'm happy to be more comfortable!

I was also able to see how flat i am without reconstruction and i am very okay with it. I'm down from a 36b to flat. 2 diagonal lines like a "V".

Gentle hugs to all my July surgery sisters, those recovering and those waiting to have their surgeries. I will be keeping you all in my thoughts!

Plumster1, I'm in Coto de Caza-not too far from you. My BS is Lisa Guerra, MD and my PS is Andrew Smith, MD. They're an amazing team. They both came highly recommended by friends who are also physicians. I just had my bandages removed so I feel much more comfortable.

Free123, I think the general swelling is beginning to go down a wee bit but you're absolutely correct, it does feel like a lead basketball. 😊 My right breast is still very swollen but that's to be expected since surgery/IORT/reconstruction was only 3 days ago. Everything is healing beautifully. I'll receive my final pathology report Thursday when I see my BS. Praying the nodes are still clear and for the margins to be clear. 🙏

Mira845, I'm so sorry...hoping and praying all goes well at your appointment Wednesday. 🙏 Big (gentle) Hug to you.

Proudauntie, Sendingprayers your way. 🙏 All the best to you. ❌⭕️❌⭕️

Hi female, I am going on august 7 for a preventive mastectomy. I had my first one last august because DCIS. I have had 3 biopsies on this one since last June 2014. For me it is was peace of mind. Not knowing if I would get cancer again. I have had thyroid cancer and breast cancer. I was blessed not to have to do any treatment for either. I did spend some time in debating to do this surgery after my bs said she would do it if I wanted to do this. Hugs to you.

Ladies I did have antibiotics during my surgeries, but only got a infection after my surgical biopsy.

Healing hugs to you all

Mira845 Hugs. Hang in there.

ProudAuntie Wishing you the best today and sending prayers.

I'm off to another long day at work with pre-op appt. for lunch. It's finally becoming real. I went through the BMx in shock so I'm determined to make my choices known today at PS.

Scottie

Skysquirrel: dunno if I've been having hot flashes--the weather got hot (for Michigan) after my surgery--but I've been feeling unusually and unevenly hot since!

1SweetPea: thank you for relaying what your nurse friend said about the anesthesia. I'd noticed, after all four surgeries, that I'd gained about five pounds, but was back down to pre-surgery weight within a week, and thought it was due to the IV fluids only. (If I have another surgery, gotta remember to ask surgeon what to do about the inevitable muscle cramps once my body starts eliminating all that fluid!)

Any suggestions for vitamins or supplements after surgery? My surgery is this Friday 7/17 and I am wondering if there are certain vitamins that we were recommended to you.

Thanks!

Tam-iam sending hugs. Have you met with a MO? Hang in there.

ssteacher you can get some good recommendations for supplements on the Tamoxifen boards. I take several that help the SEs for my Tamox/Lupron combo therapy. I have to check with MO for adding ones but she's open to most of them.

I take calcium, mag citrate, D3 Biotin, A, C and Probiotics plus a multivite. I'm even going for some kale and quinoa to supplement my vegetarian diet.

I'm also slowly and carefully learning about essential oils.

Sadly most soy is out as it mimics estrogen and that's one of the hormones MO is shutting down.

Scottie