Tips for post surgery

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Inadaze
Inadaze Member Posts: 4
edited April 2020 in Surgery - Before, During, and After

Going in April 6th for double mast (no reconstruction ) and sentinel biopsies on each side. I know I will come home with a couple of drains and some pain pills. Not sure how much pain I am going to be in and how hard things will be for me. Anyone out there been through double mast and double biopsies all at once? I have DCIS in right and IDC in left. I am new to this web site. Thanks for your time.

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  • Maryjv
    Maryjv Member Posts: 306
    edited April 2020

    hello! Just had double mastectomy with no reconstruction (on hold right now). Surgery was 3/27, no hospital admission and came home with two drains and a wound vac. Drains were a pain!!! They were removed on Friday and now I am feeling pain and discomfort...as the numbness in my chest wears off. I will say the cancer side (sentinel node removal) hurts underneath my armpit where the node was removed...just try to relax and minimize injury! Also, the gabapentin and anti inflammatory meds helped with discomfort! Will keep you in my thoughts and prayers 🙏❤️

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  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited April 2020

    Yup - SNB on both sides and BMX. Also had tissue expanders placed during the same surgery so it was most of the day long. The main problem I had was nausea coming out of anesthesia. Ask them to arrange for you to have a scope patch behind your ear.

    I was in the hospital for two nights - partly due to the length of the surgery & the nausea above, partly due to my age (65) and partly because I live alone. I had great pain meds so that was no problem, but yes - the drains were annoying. The hardest part was learning to sleep on my back, since I had always been a side or tummy sleeper.

    If you search the BCO site, there are several good threads with lists of things to expect & prepare for. One example, you won't be able to raise your arms above your shoulders for some time so be sure things you need are not in high cupboards. Another - get some shirts that button all the way down the front since you won't be pulling things on over your head for awhile.

    Good luck. Please check back when you can & let us know how you're doing.

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  • Inadaze
    Inadaze Member Posts: 4
    edited April 2020

    Maryjv: Thank you for your reply. I thought I was ready for this....but now that I am less than 24 hours out I find I am not ready at all. I see you had chemo before your surgery. I have not. Can you tell me why you had to have chemo before? I am not sure of my stage yet until after surgery biopsy but they predict a 1 or 2. I will be in the hospital just one night. Are you able to lift your arm on the node biopsy side (minus two says I will not be able to)? Also....were you able to get in the shower before you went back and got your drains out? Thanks for your time and your prayers.

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  • Inadaze
    Inadaze Member Posts: 4
    edited April 2020

    Minustwo: Thank you for your reply. It sounds like you have been through so much. I am so sorry. Thank you for taking the time to respond to my post. I am getting nervous. I am still in shock that I have cancer, let alone in both my breasts. How long before you can use your arms above your head? I am near your age. I am 62. I will post here how I came through the surgery as soon as I feel up to sitting at computer and typing. Thanks for the advice.

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  • Spookiesmom
    Spookiesmom Member Posts: 9,568
    edited April 2020

    I had 4 drains from bmx. Very little pain. Nothing a Tylenol couldn’t handle. Showers were permitted, but check with your BS, they differ on what’s allowed. Keep frequently used items on the counter in easy reach. No heavy lifting. Have a small pillow for under seatbelt for ride home.


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  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited April 2020

    Daze - my doc let me shower after a couple days as long as I didn't get the drain holes wet. I learned to wrap Glad PressNSeal around my chest. It bonds to anything - even your body & kept the incision & drain holes perfectly dry. I hung the drains from a lanyard around my neck. I did have a shower chair and a hand held shower which helped at first.

    I think most docs start you out slowly moving arms. One exercise was to walk my fingers up the wall. I don't remember how long, but certainly more than 10 days before I could move my arms higher than shoulder level. In addition to not feeling great, I think they didn't want me tearing any internal stitches.

    You didn't say where you're located or what hospital you're going to, but wish you the best.

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  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited April 2020

    Daze - it's a good idea to join a thread that's going through this the same time you are. Below is the link to the March 2020 thread. You'll hear lots of good stories & information. Not sure if anyone has started April yet since so many surgeries are being postponed, but they won't care if you join them.

    It's also a good thing to go to My Profile and enter your diagnosis & treatment so you won't have to explain with every post and people can better see what you're going through.

    https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/91/topics...


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  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited April 2020

    Daze - there is an April 2020 thread. Here it is.

    https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/69/topics...


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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited April 2020

    inadaze - be sure to have your pharmacy put non-childproof lids on your meds, it is hard to engage your muscles to unscrew those tops after surgery. I got a lamp dimmer extension cord (linked) and that helped me not have to reach across to turn off the bedside light. I slept with lots of pillows behind me. I used a nail apron (linked) to carry the drains in when around the house and also pinned them to the side seam of a tank top (used a fitted one that I could step into and pull up, then wore a button front shirt over, or lightweight zip up hoodie) with large safety pins, there is a plastic loop at the top of the drain., or you can wear a lightweight sweatshirt inside out and put the drains in the pockets/pouch too. I used a clean shoelace to string the drains on, then tied it around my neck like a necklace to shower, my surgeons allowed showering pretty quickly and with drains still in. Also, paper plates and cups are a good idea, lightweight and you can toss, but I don't know if they are currently hard to find. A plastic cup with a top and straw are a good idea, harder to spill. A small notebook to track when you took meds is good - there are also some phone apps if that is easier, as is a basket you can keep near the bed or sofa with tissues, lip balm, phone, remotes, meds, paper and pen, etc.

    https://www.homedepot.com/p/Lutron-Credenza-Plug-In-Dimmer-for-Incandescent-and-Halogen-with-Locator-Light-White-TT-300NLH-WH/100145680?mtc=Shopping-B-F_D27E-G-D27E-27_2_WIRING_DEVICES-NA-NA-Feed-PLA-NA-NA-WIRING_DEVICES&cm_mmc=Shopping-B-F_D27E-G-D27E-27_2_WIRING_DEVICES-NA-NA-Feed-PLA-NA-NA-WIRING_DEVICES-71700000034239053-58700003946878363-92700050457563736&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIp6Kl_5PS6AIVxp-zCh2J0w37EAQYASABEgIMo_D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

    https://www.amazon.com/Pocket-Canvas-Waist-Apron-3-Pack/dp/B00CNIZR50?ref_=fsclp_pl_dp_1

    Just in case maryjv doesn't see your question, she has triple neg BC, it is customary to give chemo first to make sure they are using the right drug regimen and encouraging the tumor to shrink prior to surgery since there are no adjuvant meds to give like anti-hormonal drugs that ER+ patients take.

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  • Maryjv
    Maryjv Member Posts: 306
    edited April 2020

    I had neo adjunctive chemo prior to surgery because my tumor was 1.8cm and I have Triple negative breast cancer...makes it easy to see if I responded to chemo...will find out on Thursday the pathology results but thinking and praying for only positive results!! 🙏❤️ I wasn’t allowed to shower until today (drains removed on Friday), I am not allowed to do any exercises until cleared by my surgeon...getting easier but it just sore and t

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  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited April 2020

    Daze - here's the link I was thinking of. Lots of good ideas.

    https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/91/topics...


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  • Inadaze
    Inadaze Member Posts: 4
    edited April 2020

    Thank you all for the good information. I have been so busy all day getting laundry caught up and some food cooked up etc....I didn't have time to get on-line. Ready for bed and decided to check. Would like to respond to all but I do not have the time tonight. Surgery is just a few hours away. Will probably be a few days before I get back online. Again...thank you all so much for the links and help. I appreciate you. God Bless you all.

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