How was your Double Mastectomy recovery?

Hi Judemo.

I had double mastectomy in 2010.  I absolutely hated the drains!!  It was one of the worst parts post-surgery.  It is normal to have tightness and numbness after surgery. A lot went on!  For me the numbness slowly resolved EXCEPT in a few areas.  Most of the sensation returned to normal over several years.  It's been 11 years since my surgeries and I still have some areas that don't 'feel'.  I hope you are doing well and healing nicely by now.  Take care and hang in there.  It does get better .   Chickadee

Hi Judemo!

I did not experience cording, thankfully.  I still feel a pulling from the inside of my arm and down the outside of my chest (left side) even today, all these years later.  Years worth of stretching hasn't changed it.  Some things are just permanent, I guess.  

I'm so sorry you had to go back to the doctor to get fluid drained.  Just when you thought it was done!

One word of caution, take the doctor's advice about not having blood pressure or blood draws on the side on which you had cancer,, and wearing a compression sleeve when you fly.  Lymphedema can result if you don't and it is a bear!  I was fortunate that mine resolved with treatment and hasn't recurred, but I was told that it could become permanent.  Just be cautious.

Please feel free to mention problems you experience.  This is a safe space, and usually someone else has experienced the same things.  Sometimes when you tell your doctor about some odd thing or other they will tell you it isn't related to cancer or treatment.  Then you mention it on this site, and lo and behold, 10 women will say they experienced the same thing.  It is very reassuring to know that whatever it is, it is not just you!  No one understands like someone who has gone through it, so talk about whatever you'd like.

I don't get on the discussion board daily, but try to check in once in awhile.  During my active treatment I was on multiple times a day!  I'll be sure to say Hi if I see you post, and will be happy to respond.

Best wishes!  

Chickadee

I did not choose to live flat.  I had reconstruction, albeit after recovery from my initial surgery.  My surgeon for the mastectomy 'prepared' for my reconstruction by creating a 'pocket' for the implants and leaving sufficient skin to accommodate them.  I decided I did not want my implants to be as large as my breasts had been, so requested a smaller size.  By the time all was said and done however, I ended up the same 36D I had been before cancer!  It was a very long and arduous experience to try to find bras that work with the implants, so I have given them up altogether unless I have a blouse that isn't opague enough (I also got nipple reconstruction and tattoos).

I hope your issues clear up soon.  It is so frustrating not to be able to move on to whatever the next stage may be.  

Take care.

Chickadee

Hi Tracyjo.

I had a bilateral mastectomy with diep flap reconstruction October 12 of this year. My breast drains were removed 7 days after surgery although belly drain stayed in for another week without any problem. I'm sorry you are having issues. It sounds like you have had quite a journey. I'm not familiar with the wires placed. I did have a radioactive seed placed 3 days before lumpectomy to guide the surgeon.