Recovery time for bilateral mastectomy?

Ronee33

I'm starting to get a little scared because next week I'm having a bilateral mastectomy with no reconstruction. I just finished chemo (4 rounds of A/C and 4 rounds of Taxotere). I'm wondering if anyone out here has gone through this and could tell me what to expect after the surgery?I'm scheduled to be in the hospital for 1 night. My surgeon says that I should be back at work in 2 weeks. Is this reasonable? Is there a lot of pain? Thanks.

Vanetia

I had started a new thread and you responed, but it go deleted. Anyway I was wondering what a bilateral mastecomy is?

I appreciate all the words of encouragement you gave me before. It is nice to have someone who knows what this is like.

I have 2 more treatments to go and counting, my husband said we are going to celebrate also. I congratulate you on finishing, so party hard Sunday.

I am going to pray for you, so that your recovery time is as short as possible.

SweetSue

I had a bilateral and there was no pain. I hear reconstruction is very painful. I was walking around the block the day after surgery. The worst part was carrying the annoying drainage tubes. I waited a couple of months before getting my prosthetics.
Good luck,
Sue

tlmac

Hi Ronee, I had a modified radical mastectomy on the left side and a simple mastectomy on the right side February 6, 2003. I can honestly say I had near zero pain from the surgery. I agree with Sue that the worst part of the whole procedure was the drainage tubes. I needed 3, 2 on the left and one on the right. The binder I wore post surgery seemed to rub the drain tube exit locations causing me some discomfort. My surgery was first thing in the morning and I had a meat loaf dinner that evening. My surgeon prescribed pain pills but I usually saved them for bedtime to help me relax and get a good nights sleep. Even removal of the multitude of staples I had was less than a pinch. My chemo began 4 weeks after surgery and I'm a school teacher so I was off work through 4 cycles of AC (no radiation). White blood cell levels ran low, despite neulasta shots, making close contact with little runny noses too much of a risk. I was confortable enough after surgery, however, to shovel a little light snow, though I'd not admit that to my surgeon! It just felt good to be outside doing "normal" things (truth is the snow was pushed to the side more than shoveled). You'll do great and we're all hear if you need to talk. E-mail anytime (tlmac@1st.net)

tlmac

Vanetia said:

I had started a new thread and you responed, but it go deleted. Anyway I was wondering what a bilateral mastecomy is?

I appreciate all the words of encouragement you gave me before. It is nice to have someone who knows what this is like.

I have 2 more treatments to go and counting, my husband said we are going to celebrate also. I congratulate you on finishing, so party hard Sunday.

I am going to pray for you, so that your recovery time is as short as possible.

Hi Vanetia, You asked what a bilateral mastectomy was and I should have answered in my first post. It's when both breasts are removed. This was the choice I made when masses were discovered on both sides.

sarajane

I had a bi-lateral last year and I suspect i am much older than you. Had no reconstruction and was out of the hospital in 2 days and out to dinner with my husband on day 5 and went to the movies on day 7. Biggest nusience is the drains but there is very little discomfort. be sure to have a comfortable garment to use temporarily under your top..I used a large man's undershirt but there are things made for the immediate post surgical time that are not too expensive and very soft and comfortable. Hardest thing for me was learning to sleep on my back. life is wonderful and you will be enjoying i again very soone. justthink you can now decided if you want to be twiggy or dolly parton or anyting inbetween. Good luck

Ronee33

Sarajane, it's funny that you mention I can choose to be Twiggy or Dolly Parton because I've been telling everyone that I'm getting prosthesis of ALL sizes ... I try to keep upbeat about the whole thing - you know, looking at the positives. Telling people that my golf swing will improve and stuff like that. But there's the fear of the unknown. This site has been a great help to me. Thanks everyone!

Sandis

I'm 54 and had a bilateral mastectomy and tramflap reconstruction and was back to work part-time in 3 weeks. But, you need to think about whether going back to work will be healthy for you or not. My work environment is healthy and I love my work and it lifted my spirits to be back to work. I was tired but I'm not on my feet any more at work than at home and I was fine. Good luck. Won't it be great to have this done? Sandi

SweetSue

I wore a sweatshirt with a pull-tie type cord at the bottom which helped hide the drainage tubes and kept them in place. They were also pinned and taped.
When showering I pinned the tubes to a cloth belt, instead of all the taping.
WHat's cool is when they're removed, you are SOOO happy happy. We take one step at a time.
Take care,
SUE

DeeNY711

Ronee, I had bilateral mastectomy and was delighted to go home the next day because it is so much more comfortable to be in your own chairs, your own bed, and have your own teapot. Strictly from the surgical point of view, it might be possible for you to return to work... I think my surgeon said in 3 weeks, but that was not possible for me. Listen to your body, and treat it kindly or it will make you pay. I found that sleeping with a wedge cushion helped me adjust to sleeping on my back. Once the drains are out, you can sleep however you like. There is a company that makes a camisole with pockets along the bottom to hold the drainage tubes. I wish with all my heart I knew about that! I used rubber bands and pins to keep everything reasonably secure. Pain was not a big issue.
Love,
Denise