What precautions should I take after Skin sparing Mastectomy?

I had the same last June and had not heard any of these things. Following with great interest. Hope you do well.

Hope you are doing well now🤗.Any specific thing or precaution you took after your surgery?

Just to clarify did you have DIEP flap? Terminology is new to me, sorry if stupid question.

I’m having that soon - how has your experience been? How’s recovery? Any advice now that you’re past the surgery?

I’m doing well, at least physically. Sometimes I feel down-I’ll be feeling fine and then there’s some ads or commercial for cancer and then you start to think about it. I had the expander/fat transfer(lipo from my abdomen) in October. I didn’t realize liposuction hurts so much. My first mammogram is in February and I’m nervous about that🙏 I will admit I’m afraid it’s going to come back. Thanks for asking. Hugs

I had a saline implant. My plastics surgeon thinks that’s better for my age as the diep can have a more difficult recovery. I had a spinal fusion about six months prior to the bad news so I was still recovering from that. I was okay with that and May have felt differently if I were younger. My husband says it looks great and my surgeon is tremendously talented. He also does skin removal for those who have had bariatric surgery. I had a very hard time finding a comfortable bra since ditching the surgical bra. I decided to try one I found online called Underoutfit and I love it so much. I have five plus two sports bras. I still have to wear a bra 24/7. Hope all goes well for you🙏

Wow you’re already out of surgical bra? That sounds like great progress!

The lumpectomies were in April 1 and April 29 and then the mastectomy and reconstruction on June 22.(one year to the day from the spinal fusion- how’s that for irony ). The expander exchange was on Oct 1. I’m just now getting my energy back and I think my body is adjusting to the Arimidex. I have had a lot of joint pain and nausea. My gastrologist prescribed sometime for that(I just happened to mention it at my yearly appt) and that has really helped. I really hope you do well and know we’re all pulling for you.

Not at all.It was a new thing for me too I had LD(latissimus dorsi) flap surgery in which the muscle was taken from my back and reconstruction was done at the same time.I didn't have to go through two surgeries.My plastic surgeon did a great job.Preferably surgeons take muscles from the abdomen but I already had multiple abdominal surgeries so in my case it wasn't recommended.Today marks exactly 3 weeks of my surgery and I am doing very well, recovery is great.You will be having 2 to 3 drains, won't be able to use your surgery side for sometime,stiffness in body,muscle aches but overall it wasn't that hard as I imagined it to be.Best of luck for your surgery.Wishing you a speedy recovery.

I had the reconstruction done from back muscle ,LD, and thankfully it wasn't as hard as I imagined it to be.The fear of recurrence is always there.Wishing you all the best for your future scans.May you never have to go through this again,❤️

What were you prescribed for nausea?

I have days long bouts of nausea and then none at all. Trying to pinpoint the culprit. It may be D3 ( I reduced dosage) probiotic ( changed to a single acidophilus) or perhaps Anastrozole.

I may need some relief for those flare up days.

Hoping you have a good adjustment to the surgery and meds as time goes on. I will be a year out for me … unilateral mastectomy next month… it really does take about a year to be back to “ routine” check ups 🌸.