Single Mastectomy: What will Recovery Time be like? How long?

It was about 6 weeks for me where I felt like I wasn't getting hit with the heavy fatigue each day, altho I did go back to work (no physical labor) after 4 weeks. Start using scar strips / cream and scar massage as soon as your doc lets you, as well as get a prescription for physical therapy. My doc said PT wasn't needed, but it helped me tremendously with speeding up recovery and preventing shoulder/arm stiffness. I didn't realize I was starting to lose range of motion until the PT tested it and she helped me get back to like 98% of what I had pre-surgery with no residual pain. Find a PT that has dealt with BC survivors if you can. Definitely worth it.

I had SMX in April 2024 and I think the anticipation for the surgery and the decision to do a MX was the worst of it. My surgeon gave me the option of lumpectomy and radiation, and since I had two spots of concern, I decided to do MX with no rads. The surgery went well. But because I get keloids, I had one session of rads to control the keloids from forming. Unfortunately, I got a burn and the skin around the scar is discolored although fading with time. Had the drain removed in 2 weeks post surgery. That hurt since it was no anesthetic. They just pull it out. Five months in, I am back to normal - not losing any mobility, etc. Because I am an A cup, getting the prosthetic and bra to match my other side is tricky. I wear it only going out. The exemestane however, has some mild side effects that I am able to tolerate. I did not want to go through more surgeries so flat I am.....

I would

I had a one sided mastectomy 5 yrs ago. 🙏🏼. I’ve had issues with scar tissue that has caused muscle spasms in serratus Anterior muscles (rib cage across from breast removal). I dealt with by going to chiropractor as the spasms would cause Thoracic vertebrae to become mid-aligned. It got worse over time. I now have used acupuncture with a doctor of acupuncture and it has greatly helped. No more muscle spasms. Now it is like sore overworked muscles. Acupuncture allows blockages from surgery / scar tissue to open up and HOPEFULLY allow nerves endings that were cut to find each other. It is a journey but staying positive. The surgery recovery went well - the incision and drain tubes no issues. It has been nerve damage and scar tissue but I’m winning. 💪🏼. Blessings

The surgery does bring anxiety because you don't really know what the scar will look like. It wasn't that bad. I did have a drain for about a week after. That was not difficult to deal with. A year later, I wear a prosthetic on the left when I leave the house. It is rather heavy and my flat breast is still tender at times. The difficult part was finding a bra that was comfortable that held the prosthetic. That took a few tries, a fitting at Mayo and one at Heidi's in Edina, MN. Another concern is stomach sleeping. I use a small pillow under my absent breast and that helps. Being flat does not bother me and I am okay with that decision.

I had single mastectomy 2 yrs ago...I had read posts where many women seemed to suggest it was not very problematic, less than they had anticipated. Maybe that led me to think it would be easy which it was not, I had problems with the drain which kept clogging and I had pain at its entry point. I hadn't realized I would have to have that miserable drain! After the drain was removed, things were a bit better, but really not fun at all. Two years later I still feel some slight residual pain, but not enough to worry about. I wish I didn't have to lose my breast but I had a local recurrence so had no choice according to the surgeon. Wearing a prosthetic on one side is not a problem for me, one just adapts. Best of luck to you!

the idea of having a breast removed is shocking , so kept thoughts at bay. and the operation and recovery went really well . thought i'd be freaked out by the sight but no was just happy it was over with . it has been now 4 months . it's surprising how you adjust to how you look . i was home the next day . a lot of lymph nodes removed also . so had two draing tubes for 5 days . no pain whatsoever ever and neat scar . i would like other breast removed as annoying finding comfortable bras to balance chest . i'm an older woman , so imagine harder for a young woman . but the operation and after surgery is relatively easy .i found it easy to adjust . the worst was waiting for operation, so the unknown is always so much scarier than the actual, so try not dwell on operation as it makes no difference . i'm glad i had it done . and would not hesitate agsin .

Same here. Dont do the bilateral unless you know youre full comfortable with it right now. You can always have the other side done later but if you do both now and regret it, you cant undo that. Other factors for me where not knowing if i needed chemo, radiation, the infection risk that comes with those if you do recon (especially bilateral) all together. Also my surgeons kept stressing to me that double surgery = double surgical risks. My advice is always make sure you're 100% comfortable with what you're having done.

Yes, I still feel it was the right decision for me.

@sparkyf, Hi Deb. It looks like your surgery was almost a year ago. I'm facing a surgical decision and am leaning toward a single mastectomy and going flat on that side. I'm still waiting on the results of a recent biopsy to see if lumpectomy is even still an option. After living with your decision for the past year, do you feel that you would make the same decision today?