Breast reconstruction - 2nd phase with implant - Pain !

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SoL263817
SoL263817 Member Posts: 21
edited April 2019 in Breast Reconstruction

Good morning Ladies !

In short. I had my diagnostic of breast cancer in November 2017. Mastectomy right breast early December with extender. Chemo, radiation. I'm currently taking exemestane and Zolodex.

Nov 15 2018, reconstruction with DIEP and IGAP (prophylactic mastectomy performed on the other breast). Basically, took my belly and my lower buttocks. Results were okay but way smaller than expected and unbalanced.

Decided to go back for implant. Surgery was yesterday. I've been told the pain would be easier. Recovery quicker.

Well, I do still believe it will be quicker but OMG, the pain ! I have the same medication than for my precious surgery but it doesn't seems to work. I'm in real pain all the time, waking up during the night because of it.

I already tried to contact my surgeon to see what I can do to help (should call me back within 24h) but thought you might have some advice in the meantime.

I'm currently taking diazepam(5mg) and hydrocodone (10-325) in alternance.

What about hot compress ? Or cold one ? What else ? Small exercise (nothing muscular, just talking about movement that might help), massage ? I'll take any idea right know. I'm suppose to be walking 10min every hour but I can't really stand up right and I'll have to wait for my husband to come back from work to help me getting dressed !

Thank you all in advance for any suggestions !



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  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited March 2019

    Do they allow you to alternate ibuprofen, or are they worried about bleeding? That helped me more than presctiption pain killers. If the pain does not decrease, ask to go to the office to be checked in case something is not quite right. Hoping you feel better soon.

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  • DesertPup
    DesertPup Member Posts: 53
    edited March 2019

    I went straight to implants and managed pain with the Percocet & Valium. The valium was a muscle relaxer I believe? Also too 4 Motrins at the same time and was good. Just slept a lot and did not do ANYTHING for a couple weeks. Maybe some light walking but that was it. Hope you feel better :)

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  • SoL263817
    SoL263817 Member Posts: 21
    edited March 2019

    I'm not allow ibuprofen yet, because you're right, there's a concern about bleeding. I apparently did bleed during surgery and have 2 drains (with almost only blood coming out). I might have to be checked out earlier because of that anyway. Thank you for your answer KBee.


    And yes, DesertPup, Valium is a muscle relaxant, it is in fact the brand name for Diazepam that I'm already taking.

    I was able to speak with my surgeon's nurse and she allowed a small increase in my meds. Seems to work better.

    I'm sleeping a lot because of it, but hey, better than being in pain, right 😁

    Thank you for your advice and support ladies !


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  • HOOT
    HOOT Member Posts: 7
    edited April 2019

    I’m glad you posted this. Apparently the second one is more painful. I had the same experience as yours. I was told that it would be easier, but not at all. I think the main reason is the amount of painkillers they used during the first one. My surgeon told me that there will be a drug that will be added to the surgeryarea during surgery that will reduce the pain for few days. Otherwise the meds alone cant do the job. That was not the case for the second seurgery since it was not as tense. I definately had the same oral drug but was not as painfree as the first surgery.

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