mastectomy

Hi Nat,

To answer your question, yes I had a left breast mastectomy on Valentine's Day of this yeer. I'd rather have had a box of candy, but the doc thought otherwise. (LOL) The surgery went very well and I had immediate reconstruction at the time. It wasn't bad at all. The expander they placed in for the reconstruction was the most uncomfortable thing about it. However, I've had my last fill in the expander and am looking forward to the exchange surgery for the permanent implant. I had Ductal Carcinoma in Situ. Long name for the best kind of cancer if you have to have it. Had the mastectomy, it was not invasive, also had Sentinel
Node Biopsy which was clear and didn't have to have any further treatment. No Radiation or Chemo. Found it very early and I'm glad I made the decision I made. So was the docctor. Wish you the best, again, it's not that bad.

Betsy43

I had a partial mastectomy in Nov. which didn't get clear margins - followed by a mastectomy & SNB 2 weeks later. I'd say the mastectomy was more painful, especially right afterwards in the recovery room. My first surgery was outpatient. The mastectomy I was in the hospital for 1 night and had morphine via IV for pain. The pain was manageable and I was home the next day. After 10 days drains were out. After about 3 weeks I was able to drive my kids to school. About 4-5 weeks I was able to be fitted for a regular prosthesis (wore the soft ones before that point. I haven't had reconstruction yet. I work from my home office so I was back to work in 2 weeks no problem. If I worked in a more demanding job I probably would have wanted a bit more time off. If you have a choice I wouldn't make the decision based on pain/recovery time, I'd worry more about long term chance of recurrence, etc. Feel free to PM me if you want any more details or info.

I had a mastectomy in nov 2005. Surgery went fine and I was not in as much pain as I thought I would have been in.

However I had complications about day 7 post op, because some silly nurse closed the valve on my drains and forgot to free them, so I got a terrible haemotoma and had to go back to surgery to have it removed. (this hardly ever happens)

But all in all pain wasn't like I thought. And I am glad I chose this rather than a lumpectomy, because the tumour was much bigger than the doc originally thought. In fact I have subsequently done a prophalactic mastectomy on my other breast.

Just wondering, did that person at work have a mastectomy.. because if she hadn't she really isnt qualified to give you advice on your treatment options. Coming here with your questions is really wise. The ladies here are lovely and very supportive, and extremely knowledgible

Hun I hope you have a smooth surgery, and sending you tonns of healing energy.
mel
xo

I had a double mastectomy in August 06. I had to have the right breast off due to several tumours and I decided to have the left one off also. I had immediate recon and had expanders put in at the same time.

It hurt like heck and I was on heavy pain meds for 6 weeks however I do not regret it at all.

hugs
Vicky

I had a rb mastectomy on May 9th. Spent one night in the hosptial, returned home with 1 drain that was removed a week later. I took 2 weeks to recover then went back to work. I wasn't told upfront some of the issues I would deal with (not being able to move my arm as much, numbness in my tricep area, underarm and a little on my side and back, pain in my shoulder blade area). But other then that, it hasn't been to bad. And if removing my breast will prolong my life and I have a less chance of reoccurance.....they can take it and the other one to. I tried to talk my surgeon into removing both but he didn't feel it needed to be done at this point. Some people recover faster then others. But my life is more important then my breast.

I am 31 and just had a bilateral mastectomy last Wed 6/20 at 11:30. I came home from the hospital on Thursday at 2:30, took a shower and even washed my own hair. I had reconstruction with expanders and I think that is what is most uncomfortable. Your muscles just feel really sore. I am definately suprised at how good I feel. I have been taking pain medication but only 2-3 per day. I can take 1-2 every 4 hours if I want. If I had to do it over I would not change a thing, plus now I have the piece of mind. Do what you feel is the right choice for you and trust me when I say it was not even close to as bad as myself and my family thought it would be. Good luck to you.

I had mast. on APril 3rd-- I am young, 30 y. o. and it was not bad-- the worst pain was from the expanders not the actually surgery. After 4 weeks things were very easy and I felt good again. I think the younger you are and if you carry the gene it is a no brainer-- we would to stop this before it can even think about coming back....
that;s just me opinion-- but the pain was doable and I could shower the next day if that helps...