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← Return to Severe pain immediately after waking from right masectomy surgery.
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Severe pain immediately after waking from right masectomy surgery.
Breast Cancer | Last Active: May 13, 2025 | Replies (18)Comment receiving replies
Hi @lilc - I did have the pectoral fascia removed. My surgeon’s response is that they routinely remove it for a mastectomy.
My team was at an accredited cancer center, so I have a lot of confidence in them. Also, my surgeon was chief of surgery, so, again, I have a lot of trust in her.
Hang in there. As I mentioned before, my pain was significant in the first 3-6 weeks. Life improved a lot after drains were removed.
If you have concerns, I do encourage you to reach out to your team about pain management.
I am less than 12 weeks past my reconstructive surgery. (6 months post mastectomy) I am in PT. There is tightness, but it is bearing and improving regularly! I hope yours will, too.
It’s a big surgery. Give yourself some grace.
I am thinking of you. Take your pain meds and rest! I watched a lot of mindless Netflix to keep my mind occupied those first few weeks.
Replies to "Hi @lilc - I did have the pectoral fascia removed. My surgeon’s response is that they..."
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@susan7656 You have given me so much hope ❤️. I was hoping the light at the end of the tunnel would be sooner, and it appears that those who have a less drastic surgery do have that benefit. But I am so glad to hear you are getting better with time and PT. I needed some reassurance to know what I am in for in terms of length of recovery.
My hospital is also in the top 10 for cancer treatment. I know in the past five years or so there seems to be a question as to whether it is completely necessary to remove this fascia which is full of nerves and proprioceptors. My tumor was not near chest wall, so given my pre-existing myofascial issues, I would have opted to keep it. There is a low rate of reoccurrence into the chest wall unless tumor is very close.
It seems we will have relief once scar tissue scars over the area and keep working at keeping that tissue flexible with PT. I wish you the absolute best 🙏.