I also am not pleased with the way my chest looks…bumpy and concave. I also experience numbness over the scar area. Weird sensation when showering. Hope it eventually goes away. At least the cancer is gone.
I had bilateral and chose to go flat, I only have two issues from the surgery. My definition of "flat" and the surgeons were different; my closure is not as visually appealing as I would have liked. I have lumps on the sides of my chest; I have a bump in the middle of my chest and the breast area looks as if the flesh was scooped out and concaves inward. I'm not sure if this was because of what needed to be done for the surgery to get everything or not - but what's done is done. I'm 71 and don't intend to have any reconstruction. The second issue is they removed lymph nodes under my arms and the closure now makes it slightly difficult to shave my underarms. There seems to be an indent that is difficult to shave - I've tried both a hand razor and an electric shaver - it takes a while to finally get it shaved for the summer months.
Do I regret going "flat" - definitely NO; do I regret making sure the surgeon and I were on the same page for the definition of "flat" - definitely. In hindsight I should have taken a picture to make sure we were on the same page.
Thanks very much to all for sharing. I showed the doctor some photos and hope he can get the results I have in mind. I also wanted to check if you need to spend one night at the hospital and if so, whether you need a family member to stay with you.
Thanks very much to all for sharing. I showed the doctor some photos and hope he can get the results I have in mind. I also wanted to check if you need to spend one night at the hospital and if so, whether you need a family member to stay with you.
I stayed one night but no family member. I told my daughter to go home. I had a paravertebral block and they finally listened to me and didn't give me pain meds, which I did not need and which cause vomiting for me. The paravertebral block really eliminated pain those first days.
I stayed one night but no family member. I told my daughter to go home. I had a paravertebral block and they finally listened to me and didn't give me pain meds, which I did not need and which cause vomiting for me. The paravertebral block really eliminated pain those first days.
I had each breast removed at a different time. I had drains in and 2 weeks or so were necessary. I did not learn right away to much mid body movement kept body fluids running.
I was only in the hospital one night. Checked on by nurses every 2-3 hours. I wanted to go home and sleep. For me, my sister helped my 1st surgery at my house.
The 2nd was easier as I had practice in taking care of my body. I followed keep my drains and surgical area clean.
Thanks very much to all for sharing. I showed the doctor some photos and hope he can get the results I have in mind. I also wanted to check if you need to spend one night at the hospital and if so, whether you need a family member to stay with you.
I had my bilateral mastectomy at Mayo Rochester. I was released about 6 hours after surgery and went back to the hotel my husband and I were staying in. I had a call the next morning from the surgeons assistant to see how I was doing. I was surprised how well I was doing after surgery, I had that paravertebral block also and all I needed was Tylenol and ibuprofen. Never took the opioids. I'm sure each case is different and hospitals have their own protocols but the surgeon's nurse told me that during the first year of the pandemic they couldn't keep women overnight in the hospital and it turned out patients had less infection, and they recovered faster and better when they were sent home the day of surgery. So unless there are issues present, patients are released that day of surgery. Sending love and healing wishes to you❤️
I had my bilateral mastectomy at Mayo Rochester. I was released about 6 hours after surgery and went back to the hotel my husband and I were staying in. I had a call the next morning from the surgeons assistant to see how I was doing. I was surprised how well I was doing after surgery, I had that paravertebral block also and all I needed was Tylenol and ibuprofen. Never took the opioids. I'm sure each case is different and hospitals have their own protocols but the surgeon's nurse told me that during the first year of the pandemic they couldn't keep women overnight in the hospital and it turned out patients had less infection, and they recovered faster and better when they were sent home the day of surgery. So unless there are issues present, patients are released that day of surgery. Sending love and healing wishes to you❤️
If you have double mastectomy, you definitely need someone be with you all night. None of your arms will be able to move or reach to water cup etc. nurses won’t help you most time. You need someone there to help you, even to order you meals and help you with food.
If you have double mastectomy, you definitely need someone be with you all night. None of your arms will be able to move or reach to water cup etc. nurses won’t help you most time. You need someone there to help you, even to order you meals and help you with food.
Connect
Connect
Like
Helpful
Hug
I also am not pleased with the way my chest looks…bumpy and concave. I also experience numbness over the scar area. Weird sensation when showering. Hope it eventually goes away. At least the cancer is gone.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsThanks very much to all for sharing. I showed the doctor some photos and hope he can get the results I have in mind. I also wanted to check if you need to spend one night at the hospital and if so, whether you need a family member to stay with you.
I stayed one night but no family member. I told my daughter to go home. I had a paravertebral block and they finally listened to me and didn't give me pain meds, which I did not need and which cause vomiting for me. The paravertebral block really eliminated pain those first days.
Thanks for sharing. I am going to have a double mastectomy and am not sure if I might need help at night.
I had each breast removed at a different time. I had drains in and 2 weeks or so were necessary. I did not learn right away to much mid body movement kept body fluids running.
I was only in the hospital one night. Checked on by nurses every 2-3 hours. I wanted to go home and sleep. For me, my sister helped my 1st surgery at my house.
The 2nd was easier as I had practice in taking care of my body. I followed keep my drains and surgical area clean.
I had my bilateral mastectomy at Mayo Rochester. I was released about 6 hours after surgery and went back to the hotel my husband and I were staying in. I had a call the next morning from the surgeons assistant to see how I was doing. I was surprised how well I was doing after surgery, I had that paravertebral block also and all I needed was Tylenol and ibuprofen. Never took the opioids. I'm sure each case is different and hospitals have their own protocols but the surgeon's nurse told me that during the first year of the pandemic they couldn't keep women overnight in the hospital and it turned out patients had less infection, and they recovered faster and better when they were sent home the day of surgery. So unless there are issues present, patients are released that day of surgery. Sending love and healing wishes to you❤️
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
4 ReactionsParavertebral block is really helpful. I felt just about normal after surgery. I really could have gone home and these days I think I would have.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionThat is very helpful to know. Thanks so much!
If you have double mastectomy, you definitely need someone be with you all night. None of your arms will be able to move or reach to water cup etc. nurses won’t help you most time. You need someone there to help you, even to order you meals and help you with food.
Many thanks! Much appreciated.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
3 Reactions