Bilateral Mastectomy Surgery - OUTPATIENT

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MaryG59
MaryG59 Member Posts: 28
edited October 2016 in IDC (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma)

Hello Ladies!

Have any of you or you know someone who had BMX as an OUTPATIENT? Did you feel like you or they should have stayed in the hospital for at least one night? Or were you just fine going home with someone to help if needed? OCT 20, I will be having BMX. I appreciate your response!

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  • exbrnxgrl
    exbrnxgrl Member Posts: 12,424
    edited October 2016

    Check out a similar discussion on this thread:

    https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/91/topics...


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  • MaryG59
    MaryG59 Member Posts: 28
    edited October 2016

    Thank you!

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  • SAS65
    SAS65 Member Posts: 3
    edited October 2016

    hi I have recently had this surgery. Right breast. 1.4 cm invasive ducal. Bilateral slight reductive surgery 4 lymph nodes removed all clear. I ended up in hospital 3nights. A lot of pain second night so very happy to have pain under control more by the time I went home. I later ended up with an infection due to fluid build up and bac in hospital 2 nights a fortnight later on Iv antibiotics followed by several was oral. Was pleased to have some drainage done. Started my radiation yesterday. My advice is don't try to rush out of hospital. Relax as much as you can. I made the mistake of going back to work a bit early. All the very best with your healing

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  • SAS65
    SAS65 Member Posts: 3
    edited October 2016

    I wasn't an outpatient but became one for breast clinic post surgery.

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited October 2016

    SAS65-

    Thank you for chiming in with your experience, and welcome to BCO! We wish you luck on your radiation treatment!

    The Mods

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  • MaryG59
    MaryG59 Member Posts: 28
    edited October 2016

    Thanks for you replies! I am not in a hurry for a discharge. It is most people's insurance which states 23 hr. outpatient pre-cert. I have BCBS. I hope to stay at least one night. I was told if I was having trouble in recovery or if it was late in the day, the SO (surgical oncologist) office would contact BCBS about an overnight.


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  • daisylover
    daisylover Member Posts: 310
    edited October 2016

    Mary, My BMX was without reconstruction. I stayed in one night but wanted to leave that night - my husband stayed in the room with me. I would have been happier at home. I only took tylenol after surgery, though... so no need for pain med administration. I would trust the advice of your surgeon and team... however, if you are in pain, you should insist on getting what you need. Personally, I felt more relaxed at home. They sent a visiting nurse to my home - she checked vitals and drains daily for a few days. Push for what you think you need. If you will be home alone or with someone who is not interested in helping you to manage your drains, I would ask to stay for at least one night. Insurance restrictions are changing our care so quickly:( I wish you an uncomplicated surgery, excellent results and a speedy recovery.

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  • ravzari
    ravzari Member Posts: 277
    edited October 2016

    My BMX was done on June 30th, 2016.

    No reconstruction and I wasn't considered high risk for having complications during surgery (no history of bad reaction to anesthetic, no clotting issues, etc...) so mine was done on an outpatient basis in their surgery center instead of in the hospital.

    I stayed overnight in one of their recovery suites and was checked out by 8:30 the next morning.
    Honestly, I would have preferred to stay at home, as I wasn't in any pain and it took them about 30 seconds to show me how to deal with stripping and emptying the drains.
    I didn't need any painkillers, and was just kind of restless and annoyed at being prodded for vitals every hour when I just wanted to sleep! Every time I'd get to sleep, it seemed like that was their cue to come in and check my vitals again. :D

    They did give me a 5 hour vitals check break between 1 and 6am, at least.

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  • Fe_Princess
    Fe_Princess Member Posts: 245
    edited October 2016

    I stayed in the hospital for two nights. I could have not been outpatient because of my pain level. I could not imagine being at home in that kind of pain. I can understand why someone would not like to stay over but I needed the 24 hour care.

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  • MaryG59
    MaryG59 Member Posts: 28
    edited October 2016

    Thank you daisylover!

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  • MaryG59
    MaryG59 Member Posts: 28
    edited October 2016

    ravzari & Fe_Princess, Thank you for your responses. To repeat, I am in no hurry to leave the hospital, especially if needed to stay. I do have a clotting problem in my right lung they know about and are bridging me with lovenox injections Mon 17 and Tues 18, my surgery is scheduled OCT 20. The pulmonary emboli (small blood clots) were discovered when I had a 2nd CT Chest Scan with this time with contrast. I started taking Eliquis Sept 2 and will stop OCT 16 pm to start the lovenox and resume after surgery.

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  • Fe_Princess
    Fe_Princess Member Posts: 245
    edited October 2016

    MaryG59, wow so good that they found the clot! I am glad you are staying in the hospital. I hope everything goes easily for you .

    May I ask why you had a CT chest scan? I read a lot of threads and people had MRI's and pet scans.

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  • ksusan
    ksusan Member Posts: 4,505
    edited October 2016

    I went home the same day, which was what I wanted. Had I experienced complications or pain, I would have stayed. My surgeon was eager to get me out of an environment with infection risks, I had a responsible partner, and I saw my surgeon at his office the next morning around 16 hours later.

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  • dtad
    dtad Member Posts: 2,323
    edited October 2016

    Hi everyone...just want to say that BMX without reconstruction is a whole other thing. The reconstruction part of the surgery is the most difficult. Good luck to all

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  • MaryG59
    MaryG59 Member Posts: 28
    edited October 2016

    Fe_Princess,

    As part of my pre-staging after diagnosis, my surgeon ordered a bone scan, CT Scans for Abd/Pelvis, Chest, and Head. Something came back on my CT Chest Scan and I requested to have the doctor's office run it through my insurance BCBS again, but this time with contrast. I also have Stage 2 COPD. We (the doctor and me) felt further clarification was needed, thus the 2nd request with dye. I have been on Eliquis (blood thinner for PE - pulmonary embolism) since Sept 2 and will continue until Sunday night, OCT 16. Then, both my SO and MO agree I need to be bridge with Lovenox injections Mon 10/17 and Tues 10/18, nothing on the 19, and my surgery is scheduled for OCT 20. Monday, 10/17, I have my pre-op tests for lab (CBC + CA-125), EKG, and Pulmonary Function Test (I have not had one in 4 yrs). If I needed any more testing, I would have had an MRI and PET. But, I basically already had a full body bone and organ scans checking to see if the cancer had spread beyond the breast. I was diagnosed with IDC. Of course, the BMX with sentinel node biopsy in the left breast only will tell more once the final path report is received. I tested positive for the BRCA2 gene mutation, thus the reason for the preventive care right breast mastectomy. I will be having no reconstruction done at this time or ever, I have not decided. I will cross that bridge when I get there. After the surgery, I will start Eliquis again for at least six months according to my MO. At this time, both oncologists think the blood clots are related to my breast cancer which is not uncommon. However, NOV 16, I go back to the MO and he will run a blood panel looking also for blood disorders and other tests as bio-markers to have for the beginning of my treatment. Thank you for asking! Take care!

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  • MaryG59
    MaryG59 Member Posts: 28
    edited October 2016

    dtad,

    I heard that! My SIL had recons much worse. Even though I am having BMX w/no recons at this time, I do have a blood clotting problem which both of my oncologists are aware. Thanks for your reply!

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