Post op bilateral mastectomy w/free flap reconstruction

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amyrn129
amyrn129 Member Posts: 7
edited January 2019 in Surgery - Before, During, and After

I had surgery 12/18/18 at Hospital of the University of Penn...I’m 3 weeks post op...I’m sore, I’m swollen-I CANNOT wear a bra I’m sooooo sensitive. I chose free tram flap reconstruction because I was a little nervyabout implants. My “foobs” are hard and look weird. I was a full double D my whole life and I think I’m a B now.

I’m frustrated that I’m so sore

I’m frustrated that my boobs look ugly

I’m frustrated and I want my body back

I still can’t drive. I’m a nurse and I’m praying I can go back to work in 3 more weeks (6 weeks off).

Anyone out there go through this kind of surgery? Does this weird under arm swelling go away? Will my foobs ever feel like normal soft boobs again???

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  • bella2013
    bella2013 Member Posts: 489
    edited January 2019

    Amyrn I had BMX with DIEP Flap Reconstruction. It took five weeks before I turned the corner. The pain will eventually subside. I didn't drive until I was five weeks post op. The DIEP Flap involves a major incision from hip bone to hip bone. It was the pain and tenderness from that incision that kept me from driving.

    You just had a huge surgery. Your breasts are going to settle down. I am eleven months post op and mine have softened. As your breast heal your PS will show you how to gently massage them (don't do that yet). I had my nipple tattoos done in November. It makes such a difference.

    I do know that fat tissue is heavier and more dense than breast tissue so if you were to have DD's they are going to be heavy.

    The underarm sensitivity will calm down. I call week three post op “hell week!" You are so tired of hurting and you do want your body back! I promise you it will get better.

    If you can't wear a soft sports bra then maybe try a snug fitting tank top. If you can't get any relief from the nerve pain then consider asking your PS for Gabapenten. The Oxycodone and 800 mg Ibuprofen didn't touch the pain. I didn't know about Gabapenten until I was already healed.

    Sending you healing ((hugs)). You can do this! The worst is behind you!!

    P.S. Did you have the robotic surgery

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  • amyrn129
    amyrn129 Member Posts: 7
    edited January 2019

    Thank you! May I ask, why no massage of the tissue now in the beginning??? I am taking Gabapentin. They increased my dose to 600mh every 8 hours and it has helped. I guess I’m at that three week annoyed phase you mentioned. I want this last of my six drains OUT! I just want to start feeling better. I’m poor because I’m on leave from work as a nurse and I still haven’t gotten a disability check so I can’t pay bills. Thank his gor thd meal train my coworker created it else I don’t know what I would be doing to feed my family of 5....Thank you for your reply! I’m seeing oncology tomorrow.

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