A little confused - recovery from "simple" bilateral mastectomy

Options
Luna52
Luna52 Member Posts: 147
edited September 2016 in Surgery - Before, During, and After

When my surgeon calls it a simple mastectomy, I always think... "seriously?? you are removing both my breasts!" but I understand that is a medical classification.

I've had a right breast lumpectomy plus sentinel node removal (for IDC) which was followed by a re-excision. Both times the margins contained diffuse DCIS. Also, mine is estrogen positive and HER2 positive but no treatment for the HER2 because the IDC was small enough that studies don't prove enough value given some of the possible complications at my age/health risks.

I am now scheduled Tuesday for a bi-lateral mastectomy (my choice given the options and recurrence risk). No more nodes will be removed and I am not opting for reconstruction.

Answering my post-surgery questions, my surgeon said I should be able to wash my hair at the sink and lift my arms to do some quick styling. ( I know, of all the things to be worried about, having my hair clean and fluffed should be the least of it. )

Does anyone have experience with "simple".. and does that make much of a difference in post-surgery mobility?

I plan to train my husband or best friend this weekend if I can't groom myself ;-)

Thanks in advance!









· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • Molly50
    Molly50 Member Posts: 3,773
    edited September 2016

    I was able to wash my own hair after my mastectomy, well it was uni but it does take two hands, by bending over and washing with my hair flipped over my face. That way you don't need to stretch your arms above your head as they are still bent at the elbow. Many women go to a hair salon to get their hair washed. If you don't have drains after surgery then it may not be an issue.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Luna52
    Luna52 Member Posts: 147
    edited September 2016

    Thanks Molly!

    I will definitely have drains..

    when were you able to lift your arms above elbows? I should have been more specific with my questions for my surgeon..





    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited September 2016

    Luna - Even "simple" usually means you shouldn't lift your arms above your shoulders for several weeks. They won't even start you doing the 'wall walk' exercise until some time after your post op and your drains are out. You really don't want to tear out the stitches & start over. One old saying around the BCO boards is - "even if you can, maybe you shouldn't". Good luck

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mustlovepoodles
    mustlovepoodles Member Posts: 2,825
    edited September 2016

    Luna, a simple mastectomy removes the breast tissue, nipple, areola and skin but not all the lymph nodes. A modified radical mastectomy removes the entire breast — including the breast tissue, skin, areola and nipple — and most of the underarm (axillary) lymph nodes.

    Radical mastectomy is a surgical procedure in which the breast, underlying chest muscle (including all the pectoral muscles), and lymph nodes of the axilla are removed as a treatment for breast cancer. Today radical mastectomy is almost never done, but it was the gold standard from the mid-1800s to the 1940s.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ravzari
    ravzari Member Posts: 277
    edited September 2016

    I could do everything but reach over my head the evening of the day I had surgery.

    Didn't need any help getting in and out of the hospital bed or using the bathroom; at home, I had no trouble washing myself or washing my hair in the sink but I opted to use baby wipes & dry shampoo for the first week as it was less energy draining than washing and rinsing and all of that. I was physically able and capable of doing it I just...didn't want to, if that makes any sense.

    Pretty much, as long as it didn't involve having to reach above my head, I could do it pretty easily. For things that required I reach above my head I either got a step stool so I was 'tall enough' to reach without having to get my arms over my head, or I asked my husband to do whatever it is I needed done.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Leydi
    Leydi Member Posts: 146
    edited September 2016

    I had a BMX on July 28, with ALND on one side and SNB on the other. I was most worried about not being able to thoroughly clean myself after using the bathroom. This turned out not to be an issue at all.

    My BS instructed me to start the wall walking exercises immediately. . .and I went home with 3 drains. I was not instructed on not lifting my arms above a certain height, only to avoid lifting anything over 10 pounds and avoid any twisting motions.

    Showering was exhausting the first couple of times but I had no real issues getting myself clean, including hair. Be sure to have a safe place to sit if you get weak or dizzy. Keep the water only warm, not hot.

    Expect some tightness and discomfort similar to muscle pain/cramps the day after a strenuous workout. I didn't take anything stronger than ibuprofin after the first night home. Good luck!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Bluebirdgirl
    Bluebirdgirl Member Posts: 115
    edited September 2016

    I must be the baby of the bunch! I had a lot of pain post BMX. The extenders had been filled a little but and I think that was a lot of it. Was in hospital 3 days. It has been 11 days since my surgery. My drains have been removed and I can shower with no problem. I can raise my arms up above my head but I can not take things off shelves or do any house cleaning other than maybe sweep the floor. I get tired easily so I rest a lot. My sister did my hair the first time I took a shower and now I am able to do it myself.

    Good luck

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories