Bilateral Mastectomy Scars Healing Timeline

Hello srobinet...
My experience is to give your chest scars at least 6 months, maybe even 1 year for everything to settle down. Everyone is different, different body types, different body shapes at time of surgery, different healing times and simply aging to name just a few factors. Yes, lots of us (especially, I believe, us senior gals) have those darn dog ears and unfortunately the ears might decrease a bit, but not much. A nuisance when being fitted for your prosthetics but completely doable. Good to hear your drain output is low...the major factor in removal. You will feel so much better when they are removed...your sleeping position can go back to your usual but still use the mastectomy pillow for comfort over your chest. Remember, you are only 2 weeks out from your bilateral mastectomy...your chest is not looking great and that is all completely normal. And your state of mind is also normal at this point, all over the place. The cancer journey is a real roller coaster for us all. Gradually, hopefully, "things" on all fronts will improve. And they will! One day at a time now.
Focus on getting your drains removed, wishing you the very best for your 1st post op visit. Stay strong!

Hi you say you are glad you made the decision to have bilateral mastectomy can I ask why? I am facing having to make the same decision. Is it very painful? Stage 1 cancer .thank you

@sart Hello and welcome I am sorry that you are having to go through this. I made the decision for the bilateral mastectomy for several reasons. Although I do not have the BRCA genes my mother had 2 different types of breast cancer 1 in each breast within 3.5 years. The second time it was Triple Negative. My cancer although small was a grade 3 tumor which is considered more aggressive. I have a special needs adult son who will always require care. I am his only caregiver. My desire to be around for as long as possible for my family was the deciding factor for me and the fact that my cancer was aggressive. It took me several weeks to reach a decision I went back and forth a dozen times trying to decide. I did not want to do the single mastectomy and one day wonder if I made the right decision. I also chose to go flat without reconstruction. I did not want to have to go through the anxiety again waiting on mammogram results then getting diagnostic mammogram if needed etc. I feel I made the right choice for me and my family.

As far as the mastectomy being painful the worst thing has been the drains that they put in. I had a little pain not at all like I expected. I went home the next day and took the pain medicine but had switched to Tylenol extra strength by day 3. The pain medicine was mainly at night due to discomfort from the drains not because of pain from the incisions. You will be sore and may have some bruising. Everyone is different and each of us have our own pain tolerance. I will say that it was not as bad as I expected it to be.

I hope that you have a quick recovery and that everything goes well. There are lots of wonderful ladies on here that I'm sure will be glad to share their experiences.

Thank you so much for your reply. Do you wear prosthesis and bras? How do you go swimming 🏊‍♀️? Im in such a quandary. Did you have to have chemo or radiation treatment as well? Or immunology treatment? Many thanks for your help

@sart
My surgery was more than a year ago. I woke up feeling very painful because I didn’t have nerve blocking. The pain disappeared quickly after the nurse administered painkillers through IV. I only took painkillers at night for five days mainly for good sleep, not for the pain. With nerve blocking you won’t feel the pain for at least 2 days. My sister had nerve blocking and she didn’t have to take any painkillers at all. I went flat and am happy with my decision. The drains are not painful, they are a nuisance. I have 2 on each side. Make sure you wear compression bra for at least a week.
I don’t wear prostheses. There’s a site that sales inserts that I use for swimming. They are light and not expensive. A member here recommended to me.
It took me 2 months before I can start therapy due to a large and thick hematoma. I’m doing fine now. I agree with @briarrose, it takes 6 months to a year for things to settle down. I don’t have dog ears, but does it matter much? Wish you all the best.

@myoga thank you so much for your information. What are compression bras and where can I get them please? Do I wear them from day 1 post surgery? 🤔

@sart
I didn’t buy compression bra. My hospital put one on me right after the surgery. My sister who had surgery with a different hospital was sent home with extra one to change. I used hers. The problem with buying compression bras is that you have to make sure they fit as compression bras, tight enough but not too tight. You might want to talk to your surgeon for recommendations. I heard that sports bras are ok too. They have to be front closure because you won’t be able to raise your arm during that time.

@myoga thank you so much. Very helpful 👌

@srobinet thank you for your response, I am 4 weeks out from dbl mastectomy and made such similar decisions as you did (didn’t want single, have twin sons that have CP..my husband and I are the full time caregivers)…anyway just had to say hearing you…hearing myself made me feel stronger and more confident in my decision…Thank you!!!!

@sart
Hello, to start I was 66 when diagnosed with invasive breast cancer. I carry the BRCA 2 gene so a double mastectomy was recommended. The surgery itself was tough and so are we!! Even at my age I was heartbroken to lose my breast as as time goes by you learn to accept the fact. I had reconstruction with implants no nipples. My surgeon recommended a company called Pink Perfect who makes realistic nipples and WOW did they bring my confidence back. Just a recommendation to add to your replies