I had a dbl mastectomy in late 2022. My nursing team gave me all sorts of tips; you receive step by step on how to take each day forward. My nursing team me tons of gauze and pads. Both sides are tightly wrapped. You do not take off that rap until the date the medical team says. Fortunately, mastectomy care after tips can be found online.
I was first amazed at the incredible bruising. Honestly, I thought my skin was dying. I had a skin saving mastectomy, so i had my implants in at this surgery. Since I had genetic mutations, I did not have my nipple area. This mean my stiches were straight across. I had regularly follow-ups, but the first unveiling was at my house. I originally had a single mastectomy on the tumor breast. An expander was put in. I was supposed to get radiation, so expanders are better with radiation. Then I ended up with a blood clot. What? That Dr. said i could be one who is prone to clots!!!
This whole experience is one most of us NEVER thought we would walk through. I came to this site with my bone marrow transplant in 2024. I love that i get to participate here with the breast cancer posts. I had been on breastcancer.org. Both sites gave me mentors and fellow patients that come for help walking through medical conditions and stay having found hope and support. All of it for fun and for free and guided by love.
I like to think that any question you have someone else will post their experience here on MAYO Clinic just like I have done. The more specific the better.
https://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/blog/checklist-for-recovery-after-mastectomy/