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Replacement breast implants that encapsulated & taken off market

Posted by hopeful6019 @hopeful6019, 6 days ago

Hi - I'm concerned to go to surgery for replacement of breast implants that have encapsulated - after being told recovery/post surgery similar to initial db masectomy years ago - drains, vacuum bandage, etc.
I've never been to Mayo - but had trouble with painkillers, bleeding, etc during recovery from initial surgery done in Milwaukee years ago (surgery was just prior to my implants being taken off market due to risk of a low connection to a different, new cancer).
QUESTION: my surgery will be on a Friday and probable release same day (initial, first surgery was overnight and alarming - literally nursing staff surronding me - with very low blood pressure rxn to painkillers? and later fever over 104, etc) SO.... concerned about being in hotel rm and what to do if having this or other issues - husband will be with me throughout. Any thoughts/experiences with what to do/done in stituation of needing medical support/help overnight and weekend??

So far I met with plastice surgeon (impressive!!) last April and don't know how to have recovery/hotel location questions answered until pre surgical appt 3 days prior to Oct surgery when it's too late - she does know about this past history but intial discussion was more about IF surgery needed, etc.
Concern now - current reservation at Brentwood Hotel, which is located on the subway walk which makes it easy enough to get back to hospital if needed or would I need to seek help at the ER and so should find hotel closer to there?
Also appreciate suggestions for other hotels (desire sanitary, close hotel Th - Mon, that I could go in wheelchair to medical support if needed - avoiding in and out of car which was challenging with tubes,etc).
and any other hints/ things to consider in preparation?
Thanks for comments and reading this lengthy question!

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Mentor
Chris, Volunteer Mentor | @auntieoakley | 6 days ago

@hopeful6019 I know this is anxiety inducing. I feel like you are in the best hands possible. I have been through surgeries that left pain in their wake on a Friday with no hope for help.
I also was with my husband when he received care at Mayo Rochester. I can tell you from my experience they were worlds apart. I feel like you are in good hands and being close to care is the best.
If you are close to the clinic you are also close to the hospital, it is right across the street and also connected by subway and skyway.
Are you having more implants or are you going flat?

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1 reply
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Rubyslippers | @triciaot | 6 days ago

I was in a hotel after my breast surgery, lumpectomy with breast lift on both involving lots of sutures. I was 1/4 mile from the hospital clinic.
The one thing is, if I had gone home I would have been much further away from getting help if needed.
We made sure the hotel had a wheelchair on site, requested lots of extra pillows, and used hand sanitizer often. I usually bring my own pillowcases when I go to a hotel and put them over theirs, because I have sensitive skin.
If low BP is a concern, until you talk to the doctor, you might plan to have salty crackers on hand, extra drinking water, and plan how it would be easiest to raise your legs to move fluid to your body/head (lay on back, put 3 pillows under knees?). They should not discharge you until your BP has stabilized. I’ve had 2 friends whose BP was too low in recovery and they were kept for a couple of hours until all was okay. But planning for a later episode is a good idea.
Most likely extra pain med is just a higher dose of what they gave you, the clinic I was at dispensed it to me before I left after surgery. Anything more and you might have to go to a doctor anyway, whether you had been at home or in the hotel that would probably be the ER.

I felt pretty concerned about being in the hotel, but the alternative was driving 3 1/2 hours home over very bad bumpy roads, no thanks.
It worked out very well, though. The available room service is convenient if needed.
I hope your surgery goes well, and your hotel stay is uneventful!

REPLY
2 replies
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hopeful6019 | @hopeful6019 | 4 days ago
In reply to @auntieoakley "@hopeful6019 I know this is anxiety inducing. I feel like you are in the best hands..." + (show)
Profile picture for Chris, Volunteer Mentor @auntieoakley

@hopeful6019 I know this is anxiety inducing. I feel like you are in the best hands possible. I have been through surgeries that left pain in their wake on a Friday with no hope for help.
I also was with my husband when he received care at Mayo Rochester. I can tell you from my experience they were worlds apart. I feel like you are in good hands and being close to care is the best.
If you are close to the clinic you are also close to the hospital, it is right across the street and also connected by subway and skyway.
Are you having more implants or are you going flat?

Jump to this post

@auntieoakley thanks for sharing - good to have an idea of what to do if needed! I'm having more implants put in. - wouldve responded earlier but thought email alert was sent to me when response to my inquiry posted.
I'm having more implants put in

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hopeful6019 | @hopeful6019 | 4 days ago
In reply to @triciaot "I was in a hotel after my breast surgery, lumpectomy with breast lift on both involving..." + (show)
Profile picture for Rubyslippers @triciaot

I was in a hotel after my breast surgery, lumpectomy with breast lift on both involving lots of sutures. I was 1/4 mile from the hospital clinic.
The one thing is, if I had gone home I would have been much further away from getting help if needed.
We made sure the hotel had a wheelchair on site, requested lots of extra pillows, and used hand sanitizer often. I usually bring my own pillowcases when I go to a hotel and put them over theirs, because I have sensitive skin.
If low BP is a concern, until you talk to the doctor, you might plan to have salty crackers on hand, extra drinking water, and plan how it would be easiest to raise your legs to move fluid to your body/head (lay on back, put 3 pillows under knees?). They should not discharge you until your BP has stabilized. I’ve had 2 friends whose BP was too low in recovery and they were kept for a couple of hours until all was okay. But planning for a later episode is a good idea.
Most likely extra pain med is just a higher dose of what they gave you, the clinic I was at dispensed it to me before I left after surgery. Anything more and you might have to go to a doctor anyway, whether you had been at home or in the hotel that would probably be the ER.

I felt pretty concerned about being in the hotel, but the alternative was driving 3 1/2 hours home over very bad bumpy roads, no thanks.
It worked out very well, though. The available room service is convenient if needed.
I hope your surgery goes well, and your hotel stay is uneventful!

Jump to this post

@triciaot - thanks for sharing! I'm also hours away so will be staying at a hotel near hospital. With all the complications I had post surgery prefer any help needed to come from those who did surger/can get in touch easily with surgical team. Hopefully not an issue but has been an issue with previous 2 surgeries for db masectomy and reconstruction so just trying to get ducks in a row 🙂

REPLY
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jmau | @jmau | 1 day ago

Hello,
I had a mastectomy on a Friday, Dec 26, 2025 and we were a hotel connected to the subway. I ended up staying the night in the hospital. Know that the subway is locked on the weekends, you can't access the hospital from the subway. My surgery went longer and my husband couldn't find me in recovery and when I was admitted no one reached out to him. This was the day after Christmas. Be sure he has a number to call to find you if no one calls him.

REPLY
Profile picture for zoro
zoro | @zoro | 23 hours ago
In reply to @triciaot "I was in a hotel after my breast surgery, lumpectomy with breast lift on both involving..." + (show)
Profile picture for Rubyslippers @triciaot

I was in a hotel after my breast surgery, lumpectomy with breast lift on both involving lots of sutures. I was 1/4 mile from the hospital clinic.
The one thing is, if I had gone home I would have been much further away from getting help if needed.
We made sure the hotel had a wheelchair on site, requested lots of extra pillows, and used hand sanitizer often. I usually bring my own pillowcases when I go to a hotel and put them over theirs, because I have sensitive skin.
If low BP is a concern, until you talk to the doctor, you might plan to have salty crackers on hand, extra drinking water, and plan how it would be easiest to raise your legs to move fluid to your body/head (lay on back, put 3 pillows under knees?). They should not discharge you until your BP has stabilized. I’ve had 2 friends whose BP was too low in recovery and they were kept for a couple of hours until all was okay. But planning for a later episode is a good idea.
Most likely extra pain med is just a higher dose of what they gave you, the clinic I was at dispensed it to me before I left after surgery. Anything more and you might have to go to a doctor anyway, whether you had been at home or in the hotel that would probably be the ER.

I felt pretty concerned about being in the hotel, but the alternative was driving 3 1/2 hours home over very bad bumpy roads, no thanks.
It worked out very well, though. The available room service is convenient if needed.
I hope your surgery goes well, and your hotel stay is uneventful!

Jump to this post

The painkillers from mastectomy last for two to three days. My surgeon told me I would feel no pain for the first three days and then after three days it would start hurting. That ended up being correct. I am glad I traveled home while still under the influence of drugs

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1 reply
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Rubyslippers | @triciaot | 22 hours ago
In reply to @zoro "The painkillers from mastectomy last for two to three days. My surgeon told me I would..." + (show)
Profile picture for zoro @zoro

The painkillers from mastectomy last for two to three days. My surgeon told me I would feel no pain for the first three days and then after three days it would start hurting. That ended up being correct. I am glad I traveled home while still under the influence of drugs

Jump to this post

@zoro It’s true about no pain for 3 days, they used a nerve block on me that lasted that long. I did travel home before it wore off.
One benefit for staying, I was able to see the surgeon the day after surgery. I had quite a bit of swelling in the dcis breast and it had turned pink. I messaged the doc, and he said stop by on my way out of town. He used a needle extraction to see if there was fluid build up - and I could feel nothing. I was happy that he was able to assess the issue - reduced the worry I would have had.

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