How long does it take to recover?

Nursepatient35
Nursepatient35 Member Posts: 166
edited January 2018 in Surgery - Before, During, and After

I'm going to be having a double mastectomy with nipple sparing reconstruction soon. I work as a surgery/outpatient nurse but have no experience with this kind of surgery. What can I expect for recovery? Do I need 6 weeks off? More? What is the typical lifting restrictions? My job requires some lifting of patients, pushing carts, carrying heavy trays, etc. Will I be able to go back to work full time as soon as I can lift? Any info would be appreciated.

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  • EastcoastTS
    EastcoastTS Member Posts: 864
    edited January 2018

    Nursep35:

    I had the luxury of short-term disability. I had more time than I needed (for which I was thankful) but one question: are you having reconstruction of any kind? I ask because I think tissue expanders increased my healing and pain (modest but doable).

    If you can get and afford 6 weeks, take them. You will be under lifting restrictions for weeks, depending upon your PS. I think I was 2 weeks nothing above shoulder. For 4-5 weeks, nothing over 5 lbs. But very modest even after that. I'm not sure they will want you lifting patients for a bit. Please ask your PS.

    Overall, the recovery is not bad -- again, more complicated if you have reconstruction at time of BMX. I had drains for 10 days. Factor having those into the mix as well.

    GOOD luck and ask any/all questions. {hugs}

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  • Peacetoallcuzweneedit
    Peacetoallcuzweneedit Member Posts: 233
    edited January 2018

    Hi there - I used short term disability as well, and yes needed all 6 weeks. I'm in medical field as well, and I did not get cleared to lift the infants/babies in Peds for a while post 6wks. ( I am clinical dietitian for special heatlh care needs peds - in adult clinic I don't lift/move the adults but I do help with ambulating some of my morbidly obese patients and that had to stop temporarily) I don't think you will get cleared for "full" patient care before that....and the lifting restrictions tend to stick because once you start your reconstruction path (if you have tissue expanders - it does not say what type recon you are doing) then movement changes a bit and feels different as well. I needed to adjust certain moves at work, but I did not stop what I was doing. You will most likely feel better way before the 6wks comes to an end.

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  • Nursepatient35
    Nursepatient35 Member Posts: 166
    edited January 2018

    Thak you so much for the advice. I am so glad I found this site. It's helped ease a lot of fears. I am doing reconstruction with tissue expanders and then implants. This will all happen same day as double mastectomy. I have plenty of time off accrued and can take up to 11 weeks but hoping I can come back before then to do some light work.

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  • Nursepatient35
    Nursepatient35 Member Posts: 166
    edited January 2018

    thank you for the advice. I am doing a double mastectomy with reconstruction at the same time. The plan is to do tissue expanders and then implants. This is all just my general surgeon explaining it. I meet with the PS this Friday. Any questions or advice to take there is appreciated.

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  • Peacetoallcuzweneedit
    Peacetoallcuzweneedit Member Posts: 233
    edited January 2018

    Oh there is a thread for reconstruction and mast...( I think) - I know the fear and everything that comes with it in the beginning is so very hard....so very hard....search those posts in the engine on top of this page. I looked and looked and read and read before my surgery.....I swear I was ready for every possible situation - at least in my mind - because of all the information on found on here. Please ask any more questions that you may have....sending you peace...

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  • EastcoastTS
    EastcoastTS Member Posts: 864
    edited January 2018

    NurseP:

    This is the long-running thread for tissue expanders (TE) below. Some experiences better than others, but I can tell you, they are not the most fun but are totally doable. You can read past posts or ask questions of those in TEs right now. Lots of info. When you're ready (down the road) the Exchange City thread has lots of Exchange info (surgery to replace TEs with implants). That surgery is a breeze in comparison to BMX.

    https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/44/topics...

    There are lots of threads on reconstruction and surgery (with lists of surgical tips) that may help.

    I had nipple & skin sparing. You may want to ask the PS what, exactly, they are thinking of for you. Where will scars be located? Tissue expanders below the pec?

    You can talk to more than one doctor. I talked to three plastic surgeons.

    Good luck and keep us updated.

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