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

I had single masectomy 2 lymph nodes removed and no overnite stay.
I propped up pillows on my bed and had my arm raised on pillow with masectomy side.
Wearing button down shirts helps or zippered shirts, some hoodies have inside pockets where u can put your drain.
Started arm shoulder excersizes they showed me after telling me when I could start them. That helps with keeping shoulder mobile and helps with scar tissue . Our clinic offered physical therapy after surgery, when healed and that helped alot.
I imagine for each person healing time might be a little different. No lifting for awhile or driving. Ask your nurses and surgeon for after care instructions, they are important and very helpful.
I didn't have any cooking help but my right arm was okay so managed okay. Made up meals ahead of time that I could heat up and sometimes family would bring over some food.
Hugs to you and healthy recovery.

Hi Karen,

I am divorced so also handled alone - with a great support team. I had 4 care takers to cover 2 weeks. I would say 12-24 hour live-in care. If I needed to use the bathroom I pushed a counter chair (with felt on the legs) to assist with balance (engineer son's idea and worked great). I was also very fortunate that my neighbors formed a meal train for 3 weeks (I just put out a cooler so the food could be dropped off). I purchased disposable products (plates, silverware, bowls, etc.) I also put everything at counter level so I wouldn't have to reach for anything. Yes my kitchen was a bit of a mess but everything was within reach. I also loaded up a table by my recovery chair with my drugs, water, snacks, phone, remote etc. I did not buy any special pillows for sleeping just pulled some off my bed to make my chair comfortable for sleeping (lounge chair). I slept in the chair for a little over a week. I was only in the hospital overnight. I hope this helps! Wishing you an easy recovery!!

I too am wondering about after care. I lost my husband 9 months ago, so I am alone. Do I need someone with me all day, or just stopping by? How long in the hospital, I believe I will have a singe mastectomy. A spot showed up on my 5 year scan, I had 26 lymph nodes removed and did radiation and chemo back then. Now it shows as angiosarcoma, seeing Dr in 2 days. Anxiety over the unknown. Thanks for any tips. I'm 72 years young

This is such a a beautiful testimony. Funny how I use the same sentence of " Why not me"?. You have given me excellent points and reminders. Especially that it too shall pass. Thank you so much for your responses. That's why I love this group

Nothing about this journey is easy but the "unknown" is the worst in my opinion. I had a port put in for the treatments. I have not had any problem with the port. I never experienced any pain with the treatments. I was given anti nausea medication. I only had a couple days of being a bit queasy, never threw up. My main side effects were trouble sleeping, fatigue, lack of appetite, loss of hair (head/body) and chemo brain. I focused my diet on protein and hydration - found some great protein to mix with water. I currently eat about 1/3 of a meal. I had no negative effects on taste. I did have constipation and diarrhea but that was eased with over the counter prescriptions. My work outs went from rowing and weight lifting to walks and body weight exercises (squats, wall push ups, etc.) Mentally I took the attitude of "Why not me?", "It is was it is", "I have so much to be grateful for" and "This too shall pass". Don't get me wrong I had my pity parties but try to put a time limit on them. I wish you strength, peace and ease as you go through this journey.

HR+ Her2 negative breast cancer with supraclavicular node involvement. My cancer was detected by a three D mammogram. Mammogram was on 12/24/2024, called back in 1/2/2025. I have two small tumors in my right breast - one behind the nipple and one closer to the sternum. PET scan detected a large lymph node party going on in my right armpit and a spot on my supraclavicular. Started with 8 rounds of A/C then 12 rounds of Taxol. Next steps: surgery, radiation, medication then reconstruction.

Oh wow I am stage 1b Invasive ductal carcinoma. ER/PR + Hers 2 negative with oncotype score of 49 so I have to do 4 rounds of chemo starting next week .. I am so nervous.

Hi @prc73 - I had Low Grade Adenosquamous Carcinoma (LGASC), which is a subtype of triple negative cancer. I was stage 1b.

I know this is months later but I so agree with you. I actually asked my surgeon if I should just do double and get it over and done with. She was like "why remove a perfectly healthy breast when you only have cancer on one side". As for The surgeons especially plastic surgeons who say oh a woman won't he happy cause the sides don't match . My plastic surgeon had an answer to that. Every good surgeon will ensure the breasts look good . I have an expander in right breast right now and guess what . I'm so ok . I worried at first about how I'd look but after surgery I remember looking on the mirror and saying " you go girl" . I love the new me that I have accepted and that's just with an expander. But my plastic surgeon is really good and women who have had singles look just as good as ones who have had Bilateral. People just don't understand the resilience us warriors have!

What type of cancer ? Since you had 20 rounds of chemo prior to surgery.