Had Bilateral Mastectomy with tissue expanders 8/2/19

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Karla_NC
Karla_NC Member Posts: 4
edited August 2019 in Surgery - Before, During, and After

I had my surgery 7/2/19. Had four drains in and the last one came out 3 days ago... yippee. My Surgeon and now my Plastic Surgeon both said all looks ok though to me I look horrible. I had cancer in one breast 15 yrs ago (lumpectomy) so that side may become a challenge due to radiation, but time will tell. If if turns out I can't have reconstruction on that side so be it, but I'll attempt first. I'm in my late 50's but I wanted reconstruction for me..... though I can tell it's going to be a more uncomfortable path I chose to take. My biggest issue today.... is the awful tightness around my sides and chest front (no lymph nodes taken out).... I'm still wearing my surgical bra due to one more week of bandages I'm told.... but that's not it. My sides are really really tight like I'm wearing an ace bandage and it's gripping into my skin.... I have a nurse come everyday so all is well medically, and I think it's a bit worse toward the evening..... it seems to have become a bit worse in the last week or so. Or maybe I had the drains in and didn't notice as much with the tight cami I had on to hold the drains??

I'd like to know how ladies handled the tightness.... sleeping is hard so I am taking sleep aids to help.


Thanks in advance for any insight.






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  • Ja9831
    Ja9831 Member Posts: 44
    edited August 2019

    Hi! I had my surgery w/ expanders on 6/29. After my drains came out the tightness under my arms def felt worse. I’m still swollen under my arms I feel like my arms are resting on balls if that makes any sense lol! My front the tightness is still there, I am still in my surgical bra nothing else feels comfortable, sleeping is just starting to get comfortable. I went into my bed 2 nights ago after being in the recliner. For me I’m just waiting for the comfort to come. I know exactly how you feel it’s frustrating and everyone says this process take time. And boy is it taking it’s time. I just wanted to let you know your not alone and it will only get better. I wish I could say when but hopefully for everyone it comes soon. All the best to you :)
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  • OnTarget
    OnTarget Member Posts: 447
    edited August 2019

    I felt like I was wearing an iron bra after my surgery. Also, the muscles draw inwards from pain, which made my back hurt badly between my shoulder blades.

    Also, under my armpits hurt a lot both from the drains and from having the lymph nodes taken out. I'm 2.5 months out and the sides of my breasts are the part that is still the most uncomfortable. I still feel like someone is gripping my boobs constantly- at least around the edges which is all I can feel. It isn't that bad, just constant if I think about it.

    I mostly survived on Ibuprofen and Tylenol, but I found that Tramadol was helpful when it was too uncomfortable.

    Make sure you are stretching even if it is uncomfortable (not painful though). That made a difference for me.

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  • Karla_NC
    Karla_NC Member Posts: 4
    edited August 2019

    Thank you so much for your upbeat and inspiring reply !!! I'll be patient :)

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  • Karla_NC
    Karla_NC Member Posts: 4
    edited August 2019

    Thank you for the advise, I will start stretching.

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  • Karla_NC
    Karla_NC Member Posts: 4
    edited August 2019

    hank you so much for your upbeat and inspiring reply !!! I'll be patient :)

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  • hodgepodge
    hodgepodge Member Posts: 92
    edited August 2019

    I am almost the exact same! Although my BMX was 4/29. It has been hell up until the last week. The tightness if finally letting up!!! Just when I thought I couldn't take it any more. Can't wait for the exchange. Praying it makes a big differnece.

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