Anxiety before breast lift...

pabbie · March 2017

Hi: I'm looking for support for an upcoming surgery I'm having for a breast lift/reduction. I had a unilateral mastectomy (right breast) in Jan. 2014. I will continue to be flat on my right side but will be reducing/uplifting my left D size "good breast."

I have anxiety and depression in which I'm being treated with medication and talk therapy. My first surgery was in 1999 for colo-rectal cancer plus chemo and rads. My second surgery was in 2008 for a lumpectomy in my right breast with radiation and Tamoxifen. My third surgery was a right breast mastectomy in 2014.

Any help for my anxiety before my lift? I cancelled on my ps once already. My husband said I'm always complaining about under the D boob sweat and rashes in the hotter months. So he and I both feel I need to have the lift/reduction. But how do I get to the hospital w/o having a major anxiety attack? Thank you.

MTwoman · March 2017

Pabbie,

I am sorry you find yourself filled with anxiety. It is an awful feeling and can be debilitating. I think that practicing your breathing, and focusing on the reasons that this is the right thing for you could be helpful. If you've done much mindfulness, then use those practices. Notice the urge to "do something" (panic, change your mind, etc) and then just let it go. OR Use the image of yourself sitting on a bench at the side of the river, and watch the torrent of anxiety go by you (not wash over you). OR Talk to your therapist and perhaps come up with a visualization of you looking the way you want to (surgery complete) and feeling good, comfortable and relaxed. Use that visualization to get your through tough times.

YOU CAN DO THIS (if it feels like the right decision when you are calm and feeling like yourself) We will all be "in your pocket" when you need us ((big hugs))

momoschki · March 2017

Pabbie, I had a bilateral lift/reduction 6 years ago in conjunction with a lumpectomy (well, technically, exclusional biopsy) for ADH. I had been a 34D and went down to a 34B. It was the first major surgery I had ever had, with the exception of a c-section for the birth of my son. The recovery was really not too bad. Id say the worst of it was about 3 weeks out when I had zinging pains which were explained to me as nerve regeneration, but even that was more odd than painful. I had no drains. After 3 weeks i took a 30 mile bike ride. Now that 6 years have passed, the scars are nearly invisible and i love being smaller.

Hope this puts you at greater ease. Feel free to PM me if you've got specific questions.

pabbie · March 2017

Thank you to both. I think I will have a drain. 2 week recovery. My husband will help me.

I like the visualization idea of seeing myself after surgery feeling lighter, cooler, and rash-free on top. I will be able to use a smaller prosthetic., maybe a knitted knocker or an awesome breast form.

Did I mention it will only be a 2 hour surgery.

I'm glad I found this forum. If you have any more ideas, please let me know.

farmerlucy · March 2017

pabbie - I always remind myself that everyone is on their A-game for surgery -the doctor, assistants, nurses, anesthesiologist- everyone. The norm is for surgery to be uneventful and without incident. The vast, vast, majority are that way. I tell myself that surgery is probably one of the safest places I can be. Be sure to tell the anesthesiologist of your anxiety and they can fix you up. Wishing you nothing but a routine surgery and uneventful recovery.

Artista928 · March 2017

I have major depression/anxiety pre cancer. I'm on meds too for both. Let your psychiatrist know. Maybe it would be appropriate to add/change something. Nothing wrong with meds to help get your through.

ChiSandy · March 2017

Pabbie, I am second-guessing my decision to plow through right away with a lumpectomy and radiation in order to go on the cruise of a lifetime we'd previously booked (6 mos. earlier) for 3 weeks after the end of rads. You see, I am a 38/40 I or even J (not a misprint) bra size. The weight of my oversized breast pulled my SNB incision open, bursting my axillary seroma and requiring sutures. If I had to do it all over again, I'd have had a bilateral reduction down to no bigger than a DD or even D. It would have reduced my BMI and body fat % (thereby raising my metabolism enough to partly offset the AI-induced slowdown & kept my weight gain down) as well as eliminated upper back and shoulder soreness, and made it a helluva lot easier and cheaper to buy bras & swimsuits. (And I would have been able to wear button-down shirts without resorting to safety pins or garment tape).

Think of this: you will find it easier to buy mastectomy bras and forms for your other side; and you can kiss not just under-bust sweat but also the resulting stinky fungal infections goodbye. It might be my 67th birthday present to myself next year.

pabbie · March 2017

FarmerLucy: Thank you for the reminder: I remember before my right breast mastectomy in 2014, I went to the operating room in my mind and visualized the doctors, nurses, anesthesia, support staff there for my highest good.

Artista928: Thank you for the reminder to add a little more anti-anxiety meds a few weeks before surgery per my psychiatrist's instructions.

ChiSandy: Thank you. Gosh, I've never been larger busted. My breasts started to get bigger as I aged and gained weight. My plastic surgeon said that her patients who are the most happiest after surgery are her "breast-reduction/breast lift patients." They're like me. Older, don't want another big surgery and looking to uplift the breast to help with sweat and rashes. My plastic surgeon said that even if I tried to lose weight it wouldn't uplift the breast, it would still sag.

ChiSandy: Yes, I think it would be a nice birthday present for you when u turn 67. I'm 59 this April......glad to be alive so close to 60......

Anxiety before breast lift...

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