Topic: Is anyone going flat or living flat?

Feb 28, 2019 01:33PM Sunocean wrote:

thank you Lisey. Since I'm only 2 weeks post OP my surgeon said it's too soon to tell if its just still sensation of healing and swelling so I'm gonna have to wait to see if it gets better. Every day does seem better so I'm trying to be patient and not jump to conclusions. Thank u for the info. Its helpful.

Apr 1, 2019 04:38PM Christene502 wrote:

Hello Ladies..

I have been contemplating having double mastectomy no reconstruction for some time now, I have advanced MBC. Breast Surgeon said surgery won't extend my life. He only wants to do one breast and lift in my other... My oncologist said I will live a long happy life. He put my mind at ease, giving me hope. To make sure he ordered CAT scans and MRI which showed a new tumors now in both breasts. Again, he reassured me double mastectomy W/O Construction is the way to go.

I decided to have a double mastectomy with no reconstruction May 6th, since I have had a battle with a serious bone infection and read there is a 45% chance of infection with reconstruction...Plus the fact I don't what to go through 3 more surgeries just to have boobs.

I don't know how I will feel seeing my "girlie parts" gone.

I don't know what I will wear afterwards. Don't know what to expect. What I need to do Before Surgery to be prepared...

Apr 1, 2019 06:39PM Moderators wrote:

Hi Christine502-

We know it's a big decision, and a very personal one at that. It sounds like you're making the best decision for your circumstances, and that's all anyone can do. But it's still hard to reconcile, we know! You'll find great support and resources here, We have a comprehensive list of member suggestions on how to prepare for surgery here: https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/91. And we're all here for you every step of the way!

The Mods

Apr 2, 2019 12:43PM Christene502 wrote:

Darnit_DDD

Thanks for all your suggestions... I will look into loose fitting mastectomy bras with drain pouches. I recently purchased robes with front zippers. Have tons of lounging, relax pants with pockets, I also have 9 Colombia fleece tops that have pockets on the interior side, just not sure if the material will be to scratchy after surgery.

Any other suggestions would be grateful.

Apr 2, 2019 04:40PM - edited Apr 2, 2019 04:40PM by Christene502

rljes ---

I have heavy breasts, I have dig marks in my shoulder from the bra straps...I rarely wear bras - so uncomfortable for me... Only wear when necessary... They get hot and sweaty underneath. I have to put powder there constantly, plus wipe them as much as possible before each Doctor examines them, don't want them feeling sweaty boobs

-- So why go through this with fake ones???

MY BS keeps insisting to have reconstruction saying I'm young... Told him I am no spring chicken anymore... Maybe if I were 30, 20, even 10 years younger would possibly think of it... But nope, at my age, I don't need them anymore....and my husband doesn't care. He cares more about ME....

Best of luck to you....

Apr 3, 2019 07:07AM - edited Apr 3, 2019 07:10AM by alto

I had a unilateral mastectomy without reconstruction. The first couple of weeks were tiring and inconvenient, but not as painful as I expected. I'd categorize the pain as "discomfort" (vs. the head-throbbing pain of the flu or something like that), and Tylenol took the edge off. I also had gabapentin/neurontin for nerve pain, and hardly felt any of that. Many people, including myself, forget about the discomfort quickly, as you start to heal.

I opted for non-recon because I'd already had 2 surgeries and getting back on my feet quickly was important to me. I just didn't need any more complications than what was required to try to get me better. I also felt better about my ability to engineer a solution for myself, knowing I could tweak it as much as I wanted. I'm picky, easily distracted, and allergic to things. I felt a lot of pressure to do implants, but I knew I could live without them. Now when I feel how chilly my silicone prosthetic can get on the outside, I'm comforted that I can put it back in the cradle at night.

My one recommendation would be to just get a couple of bras to start (and make sure they're on the loose side, zip up the front, and are as soft as you can find). For the first couple of months post-surgery, I found my needs changed about every week or two. I used the mastectomy recovery bra my doctor gave me for the first two weeks. I needed front close bras/tops and easy-on pants (couldn't lift my arms much or pull anything tight up). Then after the drain came out, I switched to a light Ana Ono camisole for another couple of weeks. Then I tried sports bras (those just ended up in the garbage). At about 4 weeks, I felt like I needed more support but could not tolerate a bra, so I went with an Amoena pocket camisole (which I had been unable to pull up in the first few weeks after surgery). At about 6 weeks, I started to try different bras, but they weren't comfortable - until about 8 weeks. So, one thing to keep in mind is that you'll be recovering fast, and every week, you'll have different sensations, sensitivities and needs. If you're a perfectionist/preparationist like me, it helps if you tell yourself to chill out and go with the flow for a while. For me, I was feeling a lot better by 4-5 weeks (less sensitivity, good range of motion), and mostly like myself around 8 weeks (no super heavy lifting, and can't do pushups yet!). Personally, I think you can come up with a beautiful and comfortable solution with all the camisoles and bras out there, or just go flat and comfy.

My other piece of advice would be to have patience in the first few weeks. You'll feel hazy and weak, but it won't stay that way. Your brain amazingly adjusts, your head learns to accept it, and your body springs back. Every few days my body was healing in some different way, with different sensations (ouchies, pricklies, tightness, pulling, weakness, itchies!), but they didn't stick around long.

Apr 3, 2019 09:44AM Christene502 wrote:

Thank you all, I appreciate all the advise you are giving me... definitely helps.

Any advise on showering? I can't get down in a tub, had major surgeries on hip, knee, shoulder which is frozen.. Can't lift my arm above my head.

Apr 21, 2019 03:30PM Christene502 wrote:

rljes Thanks

Looking into a portable shower thingy to attach to my tub sprout. I haven't taken a bath in years, ever since I had my hip and knee replaced and frozen shoulder due to fracture / bone infection... Boy do I miss baths.

Apr 21, 2019 05:47PM romashka wrote:

Hi Christene502,

I am flat and very happy this way. I do not wear a bra and did not wear one at any point after surgery.

I now have extra drawer space and no bras hanging off every door knob. 😊

I wore a bellybag to carry my drains in. In the shower, I clothespinned them to a hanger.

The flat & fabulous website had wonderfully useful tips for at the hospital and home.

Lots of hugs!

Apr 21, 2019 06:19PM Christene502 wrote:

MamaOz So glad your cancer is gone..And may that be the case for the rest of your life.

Wish i could say the same, unfortunately it's in my hip bone (femur) and chest wall. Doctors told me I will never be cured... it was sad to hear... Still having the BMX just to get the primary tumors out of my body.

Apr 21, 2019 07:02PM - edited Apr 21, 2019 07:03PM by romashka

Christene502,

The bellybag was just your standard type. Usually inexpensive. Depending on how many drains you have, you might need a roomier one.

Apr 22, 2019 12:00PM rljes wrote:

Hi all - Christine - I just bought button shirts from the thrift store and the cancer center gave me 2 little pouches to keep my drains in that I safety pinned to my shirts.  A lanyard from my old job clipped to drains in the shower.  Since you will only need for a few weeks - why spend time and money?  The only thing I spent money on was lots and lots of pillows to keep me on my back.  Best of luck! 

Apr 22, 2019 12:52PM Beesy_The_Other_One wrote:

rljes,

My friend who had a BMX a few years ago bought me that seat belt buddy--but it's literally foam in a flannel cover that velcros together at one end. Even a safety pin or two would do it. It did help me early on in the car. On the size of the pouches, I bought this one below and wore it 24/7, except in the shower, which is what it's really for (I used a piece of ribbon and two safety pins in the shower). Maybe the photo will help you with the size? It had one of those nice plastic clips like on a backpack (know you can buy at Joann's) with the black strap material. I grabbed this photo off of Amazon but I can take a photo of my actual belt clip if that would help. The benefit is that it didn't come untied like a nail apron would, and you don't want those drains hanging! I bought a cami that had pouches and I never used it so I plan to return it this Friday when I go for bra and prosthetic fitting.

As an encouragement, and I know everyone's different, but I was surprised at the way I bounced back after this surgery. As I told Christene502 on another thread, my biggest recommendation is to ask the anesthesiologist for a nerve block. I ended up taking very little pain medication as a result of having it.

Beesy

May 1, 2019 12:21PM farmerlucy wrote:

hello ladies - I’m looking for info from someone who had explant surgery five + years ago due to capsular contraction. Did the surgeon repair your pecs? Do you have any tightness now? Thank you in advance

May 2, 2019 02:58PM farmerlucy wrote:

Thanks so much for bumping me!