breast cancer drains after mastectomy

bevaschia

I've read a lot of comments about the drains after surgery being difficult.  Can anyone elaborate on what to expect?  My double mastectomy is slated for mid October.  Also can you elaborate on pain, recovery period, and what you probably cannot do the first week?  Thinking of having someone be with me (move in) first week to help.  Thank you!

 

VickiSam

A few suggestions: These helped me

Multiple pillows in various, sizes help with sleeping on your back -

Some Sister in Pink find sleeping on recliner for the first 3 to 5 nights is also a comfortable alternative

Please make sure you know how 'to' milk your drains - which will be in for several weeks after bilateral surgery -- ask your Nurse how to secure your drains to your garnments - so you DO NOT pull drains -  OUCH,  this hurts *****

Prepare meals in advance and freeze 

Run all your errands - I was instructed NOT to DRIVE for 5 days

Please have cups, saucers, plates at arm level - as well as re-arranging your
fridge for more commonly used items at arm levels. Tide/Downy small container
sizes - also at arm level. Reaching up and grabbing heavy items -- will tear
your stitches, as well as hurt your arms. Muscles and tissue in breast, as well
as arm areas will be cut,moved and sewn back together.

 
My husband installed a flex shower head & hose so I could shower.  No sponge baths for this Sister in Pink ...  nope, no, no. 
 I was able to maneuvering the flex hose from waist down, as well as place shower water under
my arm pitts without wetting my stitches - just changed my gauge and wrappings after each and every shower.

Lastly, please make sure you do your exercises as prescribed by Plastic Surgeon,
and Physical Therapist.

Strength, Courage, Hope and Speedy recovery.

Vicki Sam 

 

desertgirl947

I had a double mastectomy.  I

I had a double mastectomy.  I think I had to mess with the drains for about two weeks.  I was seeing my surgeon twice a week the first few weeks, and he took a needle and drained both sides.  Each visit there was less and less.  I live on the edge of my town and had lots of friends handy to drive me places and to help me at the house.  My husband works less than a mile away, and his boss told him to feel free to come home if he needed to.  My sister, whoc lives about 200 miles from me came for a week to help.  She made some freezer entrees.  (I am lucky, in that my husband does not mind cooking AND handles any household chore there is.)  I slept in my recliner for three months because I just cannot sleep on my back.  I slept better there, and I could get some supporte change of position through the night.   I can't say the pain was all that bad, and I did not take anything for it at home.  The tightness and numbness you will experience will be something that hangs on for months, even years.  If I had not had to go on and do chemo, I think I could have returned to work in about a month's time.

I forget how long I waited to take a shower.  I found I could wash my hair in the kitchen sink and be all right with what movement that entailed.  I did lift heavy things, but I forget for how long.  I did manage to find ways to putter, rather than sit in my recliner and do very little.  I did get feeling fairly good fairly quickly.

I had my surgery in February 2012.  My tightness in the chest area is gone, but I have some movement issues due to scar tissue and radiation on the one side with the biggest problems.  (It also is further complicated because of a sports injury to my shoulder when I was in my mid-30s.)  I still have numbness from armpit to armpit. 

Hope this helps.

bevaschia

VickiSam said:

A few suggestions: These helped me

Multiple pillows in various, sizes help with sleeping on your back -

Some Sister in Pink find sleeping on recliner for the first 3 to 5 nights is also a comfortable alternative

Please make sure you know how 'to' milk your drains - which will be in for several weeks after bilateral surgery -- ask your Nurse how to secure your drains to your garnments - so you DO NOT pull drains -  OUCH,  this hurts *****

Prepare meals in advance and freeze 

Run all your errands - I was instructed NOT to DRIVE for 5 days

Please have cups, saucers, plates at arm level - as well as re-arranging your
fridge for more commonly used items at arm levels. Tide/Downy small container
sizes - also at arm level. Reaching up and grabbing heavy items -- will tear
your stitches, as well as hurt your arms. Muscles and tissue in breast, as well
as arm areas will be cut,moved and sewn back together.

 
My husband installed a flex shower head & hose so I could shower.  No sponge baths for this Sister in Pink ...  nope, no, no. 
 I was able to maneuvering the flex hose from waist down, as well as place shower water under
my arm pitts without wetting my stitches - just changed my gauge and wrappings after each and every shower.

Lastly, please make sure you do your exercises as prescribed by Plastic Surgeon,
and Physical Therapist.

Strength, Courage, Hope and Speedy recovery.

Vicki Sam 

 

Thank you, Vicki.  Great

Thank you, Vicki.  Great advice I will use.