Double MX tomorrow! Questions...?

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popples1108
popples1108 Member Posts: 13
edited November 2017 in Surgery - Before, During, and After

Hello!  My mom is scheduled for a double mastectomy tomorrow (no reconstruction).  I'll be taking her to surgery and bringing her back to my house to stay until she's feeling better.  Her surgeon said the surgery would be outpatient, so she'll be having surgery tomorrow and coming home later in the day.  My question is, what can I expect tomorrow and the next couple days?  Should I take time off work to be able to take care of her?  How much assistance will she need with getting in/out of bed, going to the restroom, etc?  What can I do/what do I need to get to make this as easy as possible for her?

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  • pupmom
    pupmom Member Posts: 5,068
    edited November 2017

    Well, I can't believe they're doing a double MX as outpatient!

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  • ksusan
    ksusan Member Posts: 4,505
    edited November 2017

    My BMX was outpatient. I was home 7 or 8 hours after I left. I had no pain, but I was groggy and uncomfortable. I had a hard time getting up or down and wanted someone to spot me. I couldn't reach most shelves in the kitchen, or open the refrigerator. There are weight/lifting restrictions and range of motion restrictions. I wasn't on opioids, but some people are. By day 3 my partner went back to work. I'd say take off surgery and two additional days.

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  • Spookiesmom
    Spookiesmom Member Posts: 9,568
    edited November 2017

    My BMX was considered out patient even though I was in hospital 23 hours.

    A recliner is nice to sleep in. Have frequently used things at counter level. Coffee cup etc. a lanyard for drains in shower. Something with pockets for drains. They are always in your way!!

    You may want to take one day off, but she should be fine. I never took any kind of pain relief.

    And a small pillow for under the seat belt for the ride home.

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  • Luckynumber47
    Luckynumber47 Member Posts: 397
    edited November 2017

    She will have drains for at least a week and they need to be emptied several times a day. By the 3rd day I was confident enough to do it myself. Because of the drains she will only be able to lay on her back to sleep - but not flat. I was propped up on several pillows with some tucked under my arm too. Kind of like my own little throne.

    I made myself a little chart to write down what time I took every pill so there was no way I could forget or overdose.

    How easy she gets around will depend on how many lymph nodes were taken. I just had the sentinel on each side so I could do pretty much everything - as long as it was waist height or lower. She'll probably need you to wash her hair a time or two in the kitchen sink.

    I just felt pretty "wounded" for a while after surgery and it was comforting knowing there was someone there to take care of me, even if I didn't need much.

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  • Lula73
    Lula73 Member Posts: 1,824
    edited November 2017

    no lifting, no raising arms above shoulder level, no pulling/pushing with arms (think of it like T-Rex arms). I’d take the rest of the week through the weekend off at the least. A recliner is great for sleeping/sitting after MX. They make a pouch for drains called a kangaroo pouch that goes around your waist and you slide the drains in it to hold them. A lanyard for holding drains in the shower-you may need a shower seat and/or a handheld shower head. She will need assistance bathing at least the first few days. All glasses, plates, coffee mugs, food, etc at counter height. Pillow or a folded throw blanket to put between her and the seatbelt in the car. Pillow to place on each side of her for her arms to rest on, pillows for under her knees (2 usually does the job). If sleeping in a bed instead of recliner, same pillow needs plus 2-3 pillows to prop up on in the bed behind her back-she’ll sleep partially upright for awhile. Hope this helps!

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  • sheila888
    sheila888 Member Posts: 25,634
    edited November 2017

    I had my BMX 2 years ago.....I asked the surgeon overnight hospitalization . .

    I don't understand WHY Mastectomy is considered ambulatory surgery....

    I was in recovery room by 5:30 in the afternoon...I'm glad I asked before there was no way I could came home the same day......actually I ended up staying 2 nights...

    I did change my own drains......I wouldn't say I was in pain but very uncomfortable

    PT came to the house twice

    I was assigned a visiting nurse which she wasn't really doing anything just BP and temps.

    She should really watch that lifting 5 pound limit....

    Recovery took about a month and had my drains for 12 days.

    Yes your mother needs someone at least 2 to 3 days.....going to the bathroom etc.

    Good luck and speedy recovery......she might also feel some tightness in the chest when breathing...

    Sheila

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  • ksusan
    ksusan Member Posts: 4,505
    edited November 2017

    You couldn't have paid me to spend one more hour at the hospital. I just wanted to go home and had no medical need to stay. Others of course may have different experiences.

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  • lrwells50
    lrwells50 Member Posts: 254
    edited November 2017

    I could have gone home, but they kept me overnight, and would have kept me another one, except I asked to go home. I really had very little pain, but everyone is different. I think if I hadn’t been able to raise and lower my mattress with a remote, I would have needed help getting out of bed for a couple of days.

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  • NotVeryBrave
    NotVeryBrave Member Posts: 1,287
    edited November 2017

    I had reconstruction done at the same time so the surgery was about 4 hours. I stayed in the hospital overnight. My husband took off the rest of the week to help me. I really needed that help for the first few days - mostly for getting up and down from bed and doing the drains.


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