Looking for your long term issues w bmx without recon

Recovery for me was pretty easy; I just had two drains that were out in a week.

The worst part was dealing with lack of range of motion for almost 8 weeks (can't really lift your arms above your head) and having to wear a compression vest for 4 weeks; my PS ordered 4 weeks, but it wasn't comfortable for me to sleep without it for closer to 8. Ugh, and back sleeping; it can be uncomfortable to sleep on your sides for a couple of months, and I'm a side sleeper, so I definitely didn't like the 8 weeks of back sleeping. I managed, but I sure didn't like it.

I can't say I've had any long term complications. My surgery was at the end of June 2016. I still have some semi-numb areas on my chest, but nothing totally numb. I can feel cold, heat, pressure, and touch, but some areas are less sensitive to pain (so, like, scratching the area I can't feel the scratch as much). The numbness doesn't seem to be in the skin so much as in the tissue underneath it, which is a kind of strange feeling that's hard to describe. It's not bothersome though; I can still feel where shirts touch my chest and things like that.
I only ever really notice it when I'm doing chest centered weight lifting or if I flex my pecs as it feels almost like the tissue above the muscle is 'asleep' (no pins and needles, I'm just aware that it's kind of numb).

The numbness or partial numbness can be a problem for some women if their chest was a big erogenous zone for them; for me it never was as I had chronic, severe pain from fibrocystic breasts, so it's not a problem for me to be kind of numb on my chest. For other women, the lessened sensation may be a bigger deal.

My mobility and range of motion was back to pre-surgery levels around 6-7 weeks. For about 6 months after surgery I had 'zingers' that felt like zaps of electricity in the area, which was just nerves reconnecting. Those stopped after about the 6 month mark.

I didn't have any lymph node removal, save for the lymph nodes that are in breast tissue, and haven't had any issues with lymphedema.

I didn't really have much pain unless I accidentally tugged the drain tubes or tried to reach too far above my head before my body was ready. After leaving the outpatient recovery room (they had me stay overnight), I didn't need painkillers beyond regular Tyelnol. Even then, the pain was more itchiness on the incision line (from the dang stitches mostly!) and a general 'ache' where my breasts used to be. Wearing a compression vest (I got a gynecomastia post op vest from Underworks) helped a lot.

In all honesty, for me, recovering from a BMX was WORLDS easier than recovering from an ovarian cyst removal that I had done in 2015; that one was brutal for me and everything hurt for a good 5 months. I couldn't even stand up straight for almost 4 weeks after that cyst removal and with the BMX I was out taking walks the day after I got home--even if they were in a bulky shirt to hold the drains.

Comparably the incisions were smaller (3" on my left lower abdomen, 2" on my right), but they cut through muscle to get at the cysts and it was just an awful, awful recovery for me whereas the BMX recovery was super easy and pretty painless, likely because no muscles had to be cut away or through.

My recovery was complicated. I developed a massive area of necrosis (tissue death) which looked like a wolf took a big gnashing bite out of my right chest. The left side developed a 6" seroma. I ended up having to pack the seroma with iodoform tape twice a day for 15 weeks. I also had a wound vac on the right side for about 7 weeks, followed by an additional 9 weeks of dressings. It took a total of 16 weeks to completely heal and my scars are impressive. I've been mutilated. I can hardly even look at myself in the mirror.

The only other issue I've had is the skin adhering to the chest wall. I had cording from my right chest and ribcage to my right wrist--you could see it from across the room. Thankfully, I had a massage therapist who was trained in myofascial release. She was amazing. Once a week she gently stretched the muscles to release the tightness. It took about 8-10 weeks, but she got it taken care of.

At this point, I wear prostheses. The are big and heavy, but they look totally natural with clothes on. I am happy with the prostheses for now, but I am not going to stay flat much longer. I'm very unhappy with the way I look (my doctor left a lot of lumpy, folded skin, along with all the scarring.) I'm hoping to start the recon process later this summer. But for the moment I will continue to wear my prostheses proudly.

I was 49 as well when I had my bmx. It has been a year and a half since the surgery. Drains were taken out 10 days after surgery but I did not take painkillers once I got home. I was hospitalized for a day and really cannot remember any pain whatsoever. The drains were annoying but doable. Out walking the next day but it was winter and I was able to put on a big coat. I had some tightness that lasted a few months but I don't even remember when it faded. I did develop cording on my arm but PT took care of that in 3 sessions. I had full range of motion within 2 months. More numbness at the beginning, like everyone else but nothing significant or worrisome. I still have some spots with numbness but does not bother me at all. Like Georgia, I had that phantom itching and scratching my back gave me relief. That, also, dissipated. I am, however. still learning how to fit in clothes better as I realized that even though I was a small b cup before, it does make a difference. Seems like your ribs and stomach stick out more because of the flatness on top. Yes, I do look better with my breasts but not enough for me to consider reconstruction.

I should add that one significant after effect of a BMX, with or without recon, is the loss of an erogenous zone. It may not seem so important when you are facing a cancer DX, but do keep it in mind. That said, with the return of the nerves in my chest, some of that has returned as well, but it is obviously not the same as it was.

I was shocked at how little pain there was. I had plain tylenol the first day only. Most are in and out the same day but I had to stay in hospital overnight because I have sleep apnea.

My complication was a surgeon who didn't attend to a large hematoma which affected one drain and became infected. I felt tight for months but now almost 4 years out there is no tightness.

I was not pleased to find out how big my stomach was. It was hidden under huge breasts. I don't miss them at all but am always aware of my protruding gut.

Drains are a nuisance but otherwise it is a fairly easy event for most I think. I was able to take care of things myself including bending to change cat litter box.

Best of luck to you.

I forgot to add that I had axillary node disection (6 nodes) and I have not developed lymphedema (almost 4 years).

Also for a while when I would get in the shower I would stop thinking I hadn't removed my bra when I didn't have one on. There was discomfort or obvious sensation of very large breasts being gone but not pain.

Hope all goes well. I don't know of anyone in my groups who have had problems but things would vary depending on surgeon, after care, general health etc.

My BMX surgery last 2 hours. I feared pain but experienced very little. I overnighted in the hospital. I walked 4-5 miles each day until my drains came out at 1 week. I went on a 10 mile hike the day after that. I did feel discomfort but the pain meds didn't help & it was tolerable. I found walking & keeping busy was a great distraction. I don't remember exactly when I started running again. I purchased some loose fitting sports bras at Kmart because it was hard to get into one's my size. Two weeks out, I woke up with my right arm over my head. It took another 2-3 weeks to raise my left arm over my head. Even before I could raise my arms over my head, I found I could use dumbells(smaller than usual). I just had to keep my elbows close to my side.

I had some truncal edema for about 3 years but that seems to have resolved. Unless I wear a super soft t-shirt, I still need to wear a sports bra. Shirts can be uncomfortable when they rub against my chest. I don't use prostheses, just go flat.

I had some weird pains in my chest & arms for about 3 years. It is almost never a problem. My surgery was over 6 years ago.

Epic, although I have not had a bad time from the BMX, in your shoes I would probably do the rads and move on. In most cases (with notable exceptions, per above), a BMX without recon is an 'easy' surgery. At the same time, it IS also major surgery. It is an amputation.

Wrenn, point taken, and I am glad you are happy with your decision.

Mama, I did have some swelling during treatment, got PT ASAP and continued regular PT for almost a year. I am left with only a minor "blob" of swelling up by the armpit. The main thing is to be pro-active, i.e. get PT before the swelling goes nuts. Early stage lymphedema can be reversed. I did also wear a sleeve and glove the first year, and then for a while after when doing exercise and the like.

It is also important to do the exercises they give you. They seem a bit silly and like nothing exercises, but they do help.

Lastly, be aware. You will learn how your body responds. For example, I can lift weights at the gym, without a problem (small weights), but even 5 minutes with a small bag of groceries dangling from my hand will give me problems. In general though, movement is good. Even going for a walk. Lymph only moves around with the contraction of the muscles, so keeping active can help. Besides, being heavy raises your lymphedema risk, so exercise is your new BFF.

Mama, I had my ovaries out to put me in menopause, then went on femara. It means I was plunged into menopause+ sort of overnight. It was rough the first months, but it is hard to say what was caused by the ooph, what was femara and what was after-effects of chemo etc. Eventually it settled down. My main SEs at this point are pain in the joints of my feet and occasional sleep troubles. The joint pain fades with movement and exercise also helps with the sleep problems. It can be annoying, but it is not anything too dreadful.

Hi EpicSquirrel,

what have you chosen, bmx or lumpectomy ? Are you going to have radiation therapy?

I have just diagnosed. IDC, stage I, minimum 2.5 mm. DCIS. And ADH lesion span of 3.7 cm. ER+/PR+/HER-. I am evaluating lumpectomy + radiation verses mastectomy.

Bolus. Yes, at times.

I was dx a month before turning 50 (as my tag line shows). I had the lumpectomy first (doc insisted) and a month or two later, went for the BMX. It is 10-1/2 years and the only thing I miss is the sensation/sexual gifts my breasts offered me. As others have posted, when facing cancer vs. sex, the concern becomes living---seeing past that at the time is difficult. I was a D cup. I thought I would be demoralized by losing my breasts (and I'm not saying there aren't days I have a mental pity-party) but not getting stared at walking down the hall anymore---priceless!

My breast surgeon had a minor melt down when he came to see me the following day (required overnight hospital stay) because the pain cart was in the hallway. Totally freaked, he ranted at a nurse and was about to have it wheeled in when I told him.."do I HAVE to use that if there's no pain?" He was quite perplexed. I think 8 months into the journey, I recall taking 1 tylenol at work because everyone harped on me to "get ahead of the pain"....pain I never had so when I felt a slight "tight" feeling, I thought this was it. Nope. 10-1/2 years later and still no pain. My range of motion was affected with the SNB after the lumpectomy, which returned. The BMX was nothing. I was back to doing yoga backbends fairly quickly. I'm grateful that I still have not had any lymphedema. I understand that can occur anywhere from right away to decades down the road. I think cording is normal and I also had a great PT, though she said the cords would work out on their own. Not painful, just weird looking/feeling.

Best to you on your journey and decision.

Thanks momine, i was told my bolus is neccesary and if i start to get badly burned they will not use. My actual treatment is 7 min. Oh well I'm hoping they know best..

And wallycat its always a joy to hear from women who are doing well many years out , I see you took arimdix how was that

I was a nice B cup but now just use a little fluff in a soft packet #2 I pulled most of the stuffing out! And insert in my coobie bras it gives just enough shape like maybe A and its quite comfy