What to do expect after double MX?

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mmshea
mmshea Member Posts: 15
edited February 2016 in Surgery - Before, During, and After

hello ladies!

Heading into a double MX with TE on Tuesday. Just wondering what to expect for use of arms...also getting bilateral SNB. My pre-op class prepared me for the worst...just looking for others experiences...how long before I am back to doing normal things..Thanks!


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  • badger
    badger Member Posts: 34,614
    edited February 2016

    hi mmshea, I had a double MX with bilateral SNB but no TEs. The SNB wasn't bad as I got a script for numbing cream (Emla) so the tracer shots didn't hurt. Put it on at home and my hubby wrapped me in plastic wrap before we headed to the hospital. Surprised the pre-op nurse LOL I learned that trick here.

    Didn't do much of anything for the first two weeks per doc orders. Spent most of the time in the recliner. Thankful we got one with a push-button as I couldn't have managed an arm lever. Expect to not be able to lift your arms over shoulder-height so put everything you need at counter height or lower. That includes things like your toothbrush and coffee pot. I remember grocery shopping and not being able to reach an item on the top shelf and having to ask for help. I also remember the feeling of triumph when I could do it myself a while later. It's hard but please give yourself time to heal on the inside as well as the outside.

    I didn't drive for a month. The first two weeks I was off work so didn't have to go anywhere. The next two weeks I was still on pain meds and not legal to drive so rode in with a co-worker. There are many chest muscles involved in driving. *TIP* bring a small pillow to put between you and the seatbelt. Try to avoid rough roads and potholes, bumpy rides hurt like the dickens.

    There's a lot more but it's been six years and memory fades. Best wishes for Tues and beyond! ♥

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  • Artista928
    Artista928 Member Posts: 2,753
    edited February 2016

    I had BMX 8/5/15 with TEs. The experience seems to be so different for people. For me I didn't have much arm restricted movement. I could raise my arm 3/4 of the way or maybe more right out of sx. Your surg, ps, class, nurse in the hospital---someone should give you exercises to do to help with your range of motion. I had 4 nodes taken out, 2 were SN. The biggest thing for me was the TEs. It's tight and mine felt like they were digging in my skin for a month. It was hard to move comfortably for almost a week, but thankfully I was pretty independent otherwise. My bro was here for 6 days to help and he did a great job with house, shopping and such but I could take care of myself which was great. He would have fainted having to deal with 4 drains. lol I could have driven a week out easily. I put the narcotics aside after 1 week. But you are told not to for a week or two because the assumption is you are on narcotics for at least that time and it's not safe to drive while "under the influence."

    I had 4 drains, 2 on each side. Usually they are in for 1-2 weeks. Mine were in for 5 because the amount of fluid draining daily wasn't going under 30 ml. That's the magic #, to drain under 30 ml a day for a few days before they pull it out. It doesn't hurt when they pull them out. I thought it would but it went so fast that I didn't know it was out.

    About 5-6 weeks after sx depending on how your are doing is when the ps will start with the fills. Drains have to be out first and it's 2 weeks after that. Mine put in TEs with 350 ml already filled so I just had 450 ml to go to get to the max you can, 800 ml, with the type of implants I'll be getting. For some the fills are painful because it is expanding/extending your skin and pec muscles. So if those tend to be tight, it could be in which they can give you exercises or meds to help deal. I was lucky that fills didn't cause me any pain. Inserting the long needle though was for me so after the first time, I took a measuring tape and measured from where my nipples used to be up and then over to where the small bandages were. I noted this and for future fills I would go to that area on each TE and put a glob of Emla cream (prilocaine & lidocaine) in an area the size of a quarter to ensure I got the spots. You can get the rx from any of your docs. It you are having chemo, highly recommend getting a port. I put the cream 2 hours prior to when they are going to stick a needle in me. Put a glob on, don't rub in, and put a piece of saran wrap over it to not get on your clothes.

    Do you know the details of your diagnosis yet to put in your profile? That way as you ask questions or read on your own, we can look at your #s and better give advice/info.

    Good luck! For me it wasn't as bad as I thought it 'd be. Just had to adjust to those TEs and even 6.5 months out from sx they feel like iron boobs but I'm pretty used to it. I'm done with fills and almost done with chemo with a break before heading into radiation.


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  • SummerAngel
    SummerAngel Member Posts: 1,006
    edited February 2016

    I had my BMX on 6/1/2015, with SNB on both sides. I went back to work part-time after 3 weeks, full-time after 5 (sedentary, at-home job). I was on some type of prescription pain meds for 3 weeks (and at night for about a week after that), so until that time I couldn't drive. I was a bit stiff driving at first, but it wasn't really a problem. If you can, get appointments with a LANA-certified PT for some post-op therapy. Please don't raise your arms above your shoulders for 10 days post-op: http://www.stepup-speakout.org/essential%20informa...

    "---Consider limiting stretch on the axillary area for 10-14 days post-operatively, as lymphatics have limited time to regenerate: NLN Conference Lecture, 2010, Jodi Winicour PT

    From Foldi Textbook of Lymphology: Lymphatic regeneration occurs as the stumps of the afferent or efferent collectors of a removed node connect as the result of proliferation of the endothelium at the terminal portion of the damaged vessel. Regeneration of superficial vessels in dogs takes 4 days, and deep vessels in 8 days.

    Have your patients limit their arm movement to shoulder height for the first 10-14 days post-op to allow the efferent and afferent vessels to connect during the limited time of lymphatic regeneration.

    Systematic review of early vs. delayed exercise has shown delayed exercise decreases seroma formation:http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15830140

    A study in 2008, published in Physiotherapy, showed higher risk of development of lymphedema in women who had axillary node dissection and performed exercise early vs. delayed exercise: http://www.lymphoedemaleeds.co.uk/Pages/Research.aspx"

    The TEs are not comfortable, at all, but it sure made the exchange surgery something to look forward to! I feel great now, personally. My range of motion is fantastic and I don't have any pain. I followed my PT's suggestions for working back up to heavier weights and exercise and everything is great.

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  • mmshea
    mmshea Member Posts: 15
    edited February 2016

    Thank you all for info! I know everyone's journey is different but helpful to hear how other's have gone. Just got back from PS with a rainbow on my chest and have bag packed. Ready to get it done. Hope everyone is having a good week.

    Take Care.

    Megan

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