Recon complications - have to have mastectomy

TeaLoverDenise · June 2007

Six months following "reconstructive breast surgery" - which was nothing more than a lift to my radiated breast (and a reduction on the other one) - I developed a massive area of fat necrosis, and also have an unopened wound that is infected and despite several rounds of strong antibiotics, will not clear it up.

My plastic surgeon - and a surgeon whom I contacted for a second opinion - both agree that I am going to have to have a mastectomy.

I go back to the doctor tomorrow to schedule the mastectomy. I have a feeling it will be VERY soon, possibly next week.

I would really appreciate it if someone could please give me an idea on what to expect - the surgery itself and especially what the recovery is like. I'm trying to figure out how much time I'll need before I can start looking for work (I lost my job last Friday).

Thank you everyone!

Denise

GoodMommy · June 2007

Denise,

Are you having any other kind of reconstruction along with the mastectomy? If you are just having a mastectomy, it shouldn't take long for you to feel up to snuff. I had a bi-lateral mastectomy and went home the next day. I felt fine other than the drains which came out within 5-7 days.

God bless,

Chris

meliaanne · June 2007

Denise,
I am so sorry you are dealing with this. I had a mastectomy last dec, went back to work in two weeks. The drains were in for ten days. I had a full axillary node dissection, and I think a lot depends on if/how many nodes you will have out. But the surgery and recovery were very easy; I needed the two weeks for sure though. But your body has been through a lot of trauma, and I would think you may need more time to regain your strength. Take as much time as you can. You have been through so very much.
Best of luck,
Melia

gshoemate · June 2007

Sorry to hear you have to have a mastectomy. I had a rb mastectomy in May. I stayed home from work for about a week and a half. Could of gone back sooner but wanted a little extra time at work. Surgery was nothing. I didn't really have any pain at the actual incision site but more from where the nodes were taken out. I had 2 drains but one was taken out before I went home. I found that using a neck lanyard to hold the drain was very handy, especially in the shower. What annoyed me the most and what I didn't know was going to happen was the numbness I have in my tricep/underarm area. But this may have been to the node removal and not the breast removal. So you may not have to deal with that. Recovery wasn't to bad and I have almost my full range of movement back.

Sending hugs your way and keep us updated.

Ginger

Anonymous · June 2007

OMG, Denise...all that trouble with your breast and then losing your job on top of it! I'm so very sorry and wish that I could somehow help! I didn't have a mastectomy, so I don't know about the recovery, but I do know that ANY recovery is more successful if it's stress-free. So please be gentle with yourself and know that my thoughts are with you.

Marin

Chattypatti · June 2007

Everyone is different on this one. I had a mastectomy, SNB, and expander put in and stayed home for 6 weeks. I probably could have gone back in 4 weeks if I didn't have such a physically demanding job. I think it depends on how much surgery,the type of job you have, etc. Good luck.
Patti

JellicleCat · June 2007

Hi Denise,
I had a mastectomy on my R breast yesterday, and am home today. I actually feel o.k. I am on meds every 4 hours, but I function well on them, so I'm not fuzzy headed. The drains are more of a nusaince. But i'm only at my second day.

I saw Ginger mention something about the underarm, they removed a couple of nodes too, and I'm having a great deal of pain under my arm threading toward my elbow... Perhaps I'm overdoing it already.

I'm planning on going back to work next week, but that will depend on my doctor tomorrow.

Good luck Denise...
-Michelle

Anonymous · June 2007

Denise,

I wouldn't plan on starting a brand new job without giving myself at least 4 weeks to recover. Your body is going through a lot with the infection, etc.

You don't want to push it and then not be up to snuff and give a bad impression of yourself. Besides, I don't think 4 weeks is excessively long at all anyway.

I am sorry you're having to go through all this. It sounds horrible!

Best wishes,
Miss S

2curvy · June 2007

I had a RB mastectomy end of March, with an expander put in. I had it on a Friday, and by Tuesday I felt fine. No major pain etc. The expander caused alot of ptoblems, and eventually came out. I now have lots of excess skin, but will have reconstruction in September (have to heal from chemo first). My girlfriend had a double mastectomy as an outpatient, experienced very little pain and was fine in a day. I think it is the expander that causes the pain. . .Good luck!

NaomiS · June 2007

Denise, I am so sorry you are going through all this.
I hope your surgery goes well and you have no complications. I was out of work 4 weeks after bilateral mast with expanders. The worst part for me was dealing with drains for a week and a half, although a friend of mine only had hers for 3 days.
Good luck.

wallycat · June 2007

I am 16 days post bilateral.
I didn't need any pain meds since surgery, though someone mentioned faster recovery taking them so I popped 1 ibuprofin and not much changed. I am not really in pain, it is just tender and the nerves sometimes pinch or tingle or feel a bit raw, but that comes and goes and each day was easier from day of post-op.
Range of motion is slightly limited because I asked my surgeon to "make me look like a 10 year old boy" --NO dog ears! This forced him to make incisions under the arm as well and that is really the most tender part; lifting my arms up has been a gradual thing, though at 16 days out, I can pretty much reach anything I need and only get a slight twinge; still no pain meds. I bet if I took the meds, I'd feel near normal. Maybe I'm being a martyr ?
I understand that without reconstruction, recovery is much faster.
God-speed to you!
I do agree that if you can, I would wait with work things for at least 4-5 weeks...not only healing physically, but dealing with all the emotional stuff.

leener · June 2007

I am sorry you are having complications. I went inn Tuesday of this week fro what was supposed to bne a minor adjustment, acame back with only 1 breast. I am really blown away. Because of the extra procuedure, it is tough for me to look at myself..there is so much scarring and deformity. This is my 5th in 10 mos..

I home you can take enouge time to rest before going back. Can you start say on a Wednesday and work 1/2 days?

leener · July 2007

Sorry you have to go through this.. I had a rb mast 9/28 and had an inplant put in 1/8. Implant exchange on 6/4 because of symetry issues. Developed nechrosis and an infection I now have nothing on the right side as on 6/26 the implant was removed. I thought I was done....now I am back to scuare one.

For the original I was 3 weeks to go to work, resumed on a light schedule the first week, then back full tilt boogie.

Good luck to you...I am sure you will do well. I'll be thinking of you.
Eileen

Shirlann · July 2008

bump

Recon complications - have to have mastectomy

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