Bilateral Mastectomy without Reconstruction Recovery Timeline

I had double mastectomy last year (no reconstruction) and I have to say I didn’t hurt at all. I was shocked how there just wasn’t pain. It seems like it would be painful, but it’s such a superficial surgery that the pain just isn’t there. Drains were the most annoying part of it. They come out about 1-2 weeks after surgery. I felt good the day after surgery. I spent one night in hospital. You can definitely do some desk work no problem a few days from surgery. I stayed really hydrated, went for walks, ate lots of vegetables, took collagen tablets, and got great sleep and I had a great recovery. And side note: I absolutely love that I “went flat”, no regrets whatsoever. Praying for you!

Hi - jumping in here and replying to a couple of topics. I had a bilateral mastectomy back in Sept. 2019 with lobular in right breast, and ductal and lobular in the other. I had hoped to start the reconstructive process during that surgery but since I had most of my lymph nodes removed, reconstruction was delayed with the expectation of chemo & radiation. I developed a "dog ear" or "dog tag" - it looks like a mole or pimple in my case. It was at the very start of the incision on my back and was explained to me that it was not unusual and it was as a result of the start of an incision healing itself - back fat, muscle softness, etc really were not the causes. Yes drains are a hassle. You can find shirts on Amazon with pouches but I found a ribbon with 2 safety pins worked great and I could take showers. I ended up never doing radiation (and no chemo at that time) because my cancer was found in my skin so I was bumped to Metastatic - so glad I didn't cut my hair short, etc. I worked very hard to regain complete arm movement and strength, and to keep lymphoedema at bay with swimming (I hate), starting yoga and lifting weights. My surgeon was very adamant about the swimming as it works the muscles while the water provides gentle compression. I also bought compression sleeves which I still use, especially when flying. As for bras, I tried a few mastectomy bras with a proper insert. Personally couldn't stand them as I am very athletic. I ended with some great Hanes bras and various athletic bras that I took out their padded inserts, and slipping in a silicon or gel insert that normal flat chested gals use - loved them because they would worn up to my body temp and different shift. When I started my reconstruction in Dec 2020, I was told that they could take care of the "dog Ear". In fact they did, but I developed another dog tag on the other side after that surgery which we didn't deal because we rushed in May 2021 to finish the process as my cancer returned. Fast forward to now, I am very happy to have done my reconstruction even with my "reminder". We didn't make nipples - might get them tattooed. Kinda fun that I don't need to wear a bra. Most important - major kudos to those warrior gals who handled their breast cancer in the many years before now. Identification, treatments, surgery, clothing, health etc has advanced so far because of you and your loved ones advocating for everything to be better. Just Keep Moving everyone every single day!!

I do wear a compression sleeve when flying. Good info on the Hanes and athletic bras. They sound more comfortable. Glad you're doing well. I loved your comment that you don't need to wear a bra now. Going flat has it's advantages too. Not only no bra, but no boob bounce or sweat when exercising. Thanks for sharing.

Great laugh for today.....you are right flat chested women do not have to worry about getting hit in the face or that wonderful boob sweat. And so much for me loosing like 20 lbs with my double mastectomy - just not fair that the scale barely registered my loss. I was surprisingly fine with my flat chest - scars were minimal and just not scary. I feel like I can appreciate either side of the coin - and interestly I was only 1 of 2 women that my reconstructive doc did a "smaller" replacement chest on.

Like you, I never think to do the massage. Thank you for all your kind thoughts. I am so sorry your little dog had to endure and attack by such a large dog. This must have been very difficult for you. I have many reasons to be greatful to God. It seems like I have been trying to leave this life for many years. I had Whooping cough at 8 months and double Pneumonia at 18 months. No antibiotics, nothing to treat this illness (1932). The doctor told my monther I would be dead by morning. Good old gradma was not about to accept this. She called her doctor who told her to pack me in ice. If she could keep my temp down until morning, I might have a chance. As you can see, I am still here. God just decided it was not my time, and threw me back. He has been doing that all my life to date. So if it takes another new part, or med, or whatever, I am first in line and I will be here for as long as God decides it should be that way.
Gina5009

Gina5009, sorry to hear about your rough start in life. Way to go Grandma!!! She's a hero. Now we have something else in common. When I was growing up, I always had these crazy high fevers with even mild illnesses. So did my son. When I was 3 (1962), I had a kidney infection and my fever was 105/106 for a week. (My funny brother always joked that that explains a lot.) I was in the hospital for a week. They couldn't break the fever. I was constantly being packed in ice and receiving penicillin shots. My mother told me I was hallucinating spiders and lions in my hospital room and she ran to wherever I pointed and fake smashed them to bring me peace. Finally, the doctor said they were giving me an experimental medicine (widely accepted today) that would either cure me or kill me. I'm still here! Events in the hospital and seeing my mother cry when the doctor was talking to her are my earliest memories. I remember my brothers smashing their faces against the hospital window trying to make me laugh. Finally, I remember coming home and running to the cookie jar (a sweet tooth trumps all) and the Christmas cookies were all gone. That was the most devastating of all. 🙂 I'm sure Mom made me more.

I'm glad God keeps throwing us back in the game. He must still have plans for us here since we've been allowed to stay.

Great family @gina5009. I give you the credit for staying in the game. You did all the work.

Hi @bcwarrior -- I hope I haven't responded to you before. I was just searching keloids and see you have them. I had bad keloids after my double mastectomy in 2013 that were not only unsightly, but very painful all the time. My dermatologist talked me into kenalog injections directly into the scars. I did up to 15 at a time about every 6 weeks, then 3 months then 6 months until the pain didn't come back. It really flattened out the scars, turned what was left pink instead of red. I rarely get pains in them now. The injections smarted to be sure, but so worth it. The pains I was getting every hour for 2.5 years before that were level 10 that would wake me up or stop me in my tracks when awake. Hopefully, your keloids are not causing pain. Zebra