I had DMX with AFC and bilateral sentinel node removal Aug 23, 2024 at Mayo in JAX. I woke up in recovery with very little pain. I stayed one night in on campus hotel and then another night in another hotel. We flew home 2 days later. I had 4 drains, which were removed at Day 6 and Day 8. I was sent home in a Masthead bra which help drains. I ordered a waterproof belted waist drain holder for use in the shower. I was able to shower and wash my hair after 48 hours. I never need pain meds. My incision looks amazing! I used a wedge pillow the first several days for support. After that, I was able to to sleep normally once drains were removed. Under my armpits, where nodes were removed was the most uncomfortable so I kept small pillow sunder my arms. I was able to wash clothes, clean house and other activities within a few days.
Hi @slim51. I had a double mastectomy on October 23 with 4 lymph nodes removed.
I had tissue expanders inserted because I want breast reconstruction.
They already look really good, and I’m glad I did it. I will get permanent implants in a few months.
I had 4 drains. No chemo or radiation.
With tissue expanders, I had many restrictions per my surgeon. I was definitely not cleaning the house or resuming normal activities.
I did require and was appreciative of the pain medicines I was prescribed.
I slept in a recliner for a month. Then transitioned back to the bed.
I was not able to shower myself for quite awhile because I was unable to lift my arms above my head. I couldn’t lift anything over 10 pounds.
I am 59. I had an aggressive cancer, caught early.
Everyone makes personal choices. For me, reconstruction was the right choice. And I have access to excellent doctors who are fellowship trained in breast cancer treatment and reconstruction.
I had a pretty good experience… similar to @meeshodge. I stayed overnight in the hospital, had 2 drains ( no lymph nodes removed as I’d had 4 taken earlier with lumpectomy). Very little pain, was able to control with Tylenol and ibuprofen. I was moving around easily by the third day.
Sleeping was ok, I used a wedge pillow as well and just got used to being on my back.
I also ordered a drain holder for the shower and tops/ hoodie that zipped and had interior drain pockets. I wore a compression wrap which was actually very comfortable and adjustable.
The main thing for me was fatigue… which would hit me late afternoon. Now, 2 - 1/2 mos later, I’m still easily tired. However the holidays can cause that as well!
The drains were the worst part because they are uncomfortable at the skin site and you have to massage and empty them during the day. I had mine out at two weeks and felt so much better ! I started physical therapy at 3 weeks post surgery and am still going for massage. One of my incisions is not pretty and I have some extra skin folds and crevices I’ll be discussing with a plastic surgeon soon. I feel good and am getting used to going flat! Good luck to you!
I had DMX Dec 2022 for TNBC & BRCA2+. I made myself pillow to cushion area after surgery. Left hospital with 2 drains, used pillow to help sleep in chair for about 1st week. Minimal discomfort from surgery. Used safety pins to hold drains in my open front shirts. Before surgery I brought everything I'd need onto counters so I wouldn't have to raise my arms. I watched some youtube videos that helped me prep before the surgery.
You might want to ask if a paravertebral block is possible. It is a regional pain block that makes pain meds less necessary after surgery. I had virtually no pain.
I had a pretty good experience… similar to @meeshodge. I stayed overnight in the hospital, had 2 drains ( no lymph nodes removed as I’d had 4 taken earlier with lumpectomy). Very little pain, was able to control with Tylenol and ibuprofen. I was moving around easily by the third day.
Sleeping was ok, I used a wedge pillow as well and just got used to being on my back.
I also ordered a drain holder for the shower and tops/ hoodie that zipped and had interior drain pockets. I wore a compression wrap which was actually very comfortable and adjustable.
The main thing for me was fatigue… which would hit me late afternoon. Now, 2 - 1/2 mos later, I’m still easily tired. However the holidays can cause that as well!
The drains were the worst part because they are uncomfortable at the skin site and you have to massage and empty them during the day. I had mine out at two weeks and felt so much better ! I started physical therapy at 3 weeks post surgery and am still going for massage. One of my incisions is not pretty and I have some extra skin folds and crevices I’ll be discussing with a plastic surgeon soon. I feel good and am getting used to going flat! Good luck to you!
I had DMX Dec 2022 for TNBC & BRCA2+. I made myself pillow to cushion area after surgery. Left hospital with 2 drains, used pillow to help sleep in chair for about 1st week. Minimal discomfort from surgery. Used safety pins to hold drains in my open front shirts. Before surgery I brought everything I'd need onto counters so I wouldn't have to raise my arms. I watched some youtube videos that helped me prep before the surgery.
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Hello @slim51 , welcome to connect, I am assuming you are preparing for surgery. I had a few breast cancer surgeries, although never a mastectomy.
I know you have to be going through a lot right now. I found an old comment from @colleenyoung that had links to a couple of discussions that I think might be helpful.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/how-long-did-you-have-your-drains-in-after-mastectomy/
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/exercise-and-physical-activity-after-breast-cancer-surgery/
I hope that this can start a discussion to help you get even more conversation with other members who did have a mastectomy. Are you scheduled to have surgery? Is this for breast cancer or is it preventative?
I had DMX with AFC and bilateral sentinel node removal Aug 23, 2024 at Mayo in JAX. I woke up in recovery with very little pain. I stayed one night in on campus hotel and then another night in another hotel. We flew home 2 days later. I had 4 drains, which were removed at Day 6 and Day 8. I was sent home in a Masthead bra which help drains. I ordered a waterproof belted waist drain holder for use in the shower. I was able to shower and wash my hair after 48 hours. I never need pain meds. My incision looks amazing! I used a wedge pillow the first several days for support. After that, I was able to to sleep normally once drains were removed. Under my armpits, where nodes were removed was the most uncomfortable so I kept small pillow sunder my arms. I was able to wash clothes, clean house and other activities within a few days.
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2 ReactionsI had a double mastectomy in 2021. All went well. Unfortunately, I have Rheumatoid Arthritis so I had a lot of infections. Here today and doing well!
Wish you the best!!!!🦋
Hi @slim51. I had a double mastectomy on October 23 with 4 lymph nodes removed.
I had tissue expanders inserted because I want breast reconstruction.
They already look really good, and I’m glad I did it. I will get permanent implants in a few months.
I had 4 drains. No chemo or radiation.
With tissue expanders, I had many restrictions per my surgeon. I was definitely not cleaning the house or resuming normal activities.
I did require and was appreciative of the pain medicines I was prescribed.
I slept in a recliner for a month. Then transitioned back to the bed.
I was not able to shower myself for quite awhile because I was unable to lift my arms above my head. I couldn’t lift anything over 10 pounds.
I am 59. I had an aggressive cancer, caught early.
Everyone makes personal choices. For me, reconstruction was the right choice. And I have access to excellent doctors who are fellowship trained in breast cancer treatment and reconstruction.
Good luck!
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsI had a pretty good experience… similar to @meeshodge. I stayed overnight in the hospital, had 2 drains ( no lymph nodes removed as I’d had 4 taken earlier with lumpectomy). Very little pain, was able to control with Tylenol and ibuprofen. I was moving around easily by the third day.
Sleeping was ok, I used a wedge pillow as well and just got used to being on my back.
I also ordered a drain holder for the shower and tops/ hoodie that zipped and had interior drain pockets. I wore a compression wrap which was actually very comfortable and adjustable.
The main thing for me was fatigue… which would hit me late afternoon. Now, 2 - 1/2 mos later, I’m still easily tired. However the holidays can cause that as well!
The drains were the worst part because they are uncomfortable at the skin site and you have to massage and empty them during the day. I had mine out at two weeks and felt so much better ! I started physical therapy at 3 weeks post surgery and am still going for massage. One of my incisions is not pretty and I have some extra skin folds and crevices I’ll be discussing with a plastic surgeon soon. I feel good and am getting used to going flat! Good luck to you!
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionI had DMX Dec 2022 for TNBC & BRCA2+. I made myself pillow to cushion area after surgery. Left hospital with 2 drains, used pillow to help sleep in chair for about 1st week. Minimal discomfort from surgery. Used safety pins to hold drains in my open front shirts. Before surgery I brought everything I'd need onto counters so I wouldn't have to raise my arms. I watched some youtube videos that helped me prep before the surgery.
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Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionYou might want to ask if a paravertebral block is possible. It is a regional pain block that makes pain meds less necessary after surgery. I had virtually no pain.
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Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionThank you so much for sharing.
Thank you for sharing. I’m happy everything went well for you. That’s awesome.
That’s an awesome idea. I’m gonna try that. Thank you so much for sharing.