Topic: December 2020 Surgery Group

Dec 11, 2020 01:55AM Jennsills wrote:

I am right there with you! I actually had a double mastectomy after my 1st cancer and added implants. Loved them and they looked wonderful. However in 2019, I had Radiation Therapy on my right breast so now the skin is really thin so a flap is recommended! Along with the DIEP flap, I was wondering if anyone had experiences with the Thigh Flap or Lattisimus Dorsi Flap as well and what the pros and cons are? How was the experience and do you like how your reconstructed breasts turn out?!!

Dec 13, 2020 12:30PM KMouse wrote:

My bilateral mastectomy is Friday, Dec 18th. I'm going crazy right now - nothing on going home same day mastectomy (which is what my surgeon is going to try and do to limit COVID exposure). Getting ready for surgery posts all cover overnight stays in hospital. All I can think of is what I won't be able to do next week. Partner is trying for levity & making "jokes", not helping AT ALL. Cried 3x today. Can't wait to go back to work for two days to distract me. . .

Dec 13, 2020 02:19PM hopeful23 wrote:

Jennsills, I have read many people very happy with the DIEP flap. I am going to consider it down the road. I don’t know anything about the other types of flaps. Is your surgery scheduled or are you considering options?

Taralynn, I’m still torn between implant and DIEP flap and will do a tissue expander first. I will be thinking of you on Tuesday and wish you a speedy recovery! Please check in when you can would love to hear from you.

Kmouse, I was told one night in the hospital. Will they decide on an overnight for you depending on how you feel after surgery? I understand the tears. It’s a difficult time, but we will get through it. One step at a time

Dec 13, 2020 05:41PM hopeful23 wrote:

dee, so glad surgery went well. Will be thinking of you on Tuesday

Dec 15, 2020 01:33AM AB45 wrote:

I am having a lumpectomy in a few weeks, nervous! Any input or suggestions are appreciated

Thanks

Dec 15, 2020 08:19PM Bennette wrote:

Hi, I'm joining here too. I have a lumpectomy scheduled for Friday 12/18, with sentinel node biopsy as well. Left breast. I've been doing okay but today I am sad, nervous and freaking out a bit. It doesn't help that Covid is so prevalent and I likely will not be able to have my husband nearby. I'm glad it is scheduled for outpatient and hope all goes well so I don't have to stay. thanks for starting this. I am dreading the thought of radiation and medication following this. I have worked hard to get OFF as much medication as I can, had a bad depression several years ago and was on all sorts of stuff. I also quit drinking two years ago but though I don't like to joke about it, I really wanted a drink when I got the call on NOvember 13.

Dec 15, 2020 09:11PM AB45 wrote:

Thank you so much for the reply! I will keep you posted

Dec 15, 2020 11:05PM morningstardust wrote:

Hi @Kmouse,

I created an account just to reply to you! I had the outpatient double mastectomy + reconstruction on December 3 also because the surgeons wanted to minimize potential exposure to Covid. It was absolutely fine and considering that the hospital was on lock down and I had to be there completely alone, trust me you'll be much happier to go home. The first three days after, I felt a lot of anxiety and restlessness but everything was fine and normal (I think that might have been because they gave me dexamethasone which also wrecked me during chemo).

I had to arrive at 8am and I went home around 8pm so you're there pretty much all day. After the surgery you're on enough pain medication and still loopy from the anesthesia that you are capable of walking around etc and then they just wheeled me out to my partner when it was time to go. Curbside delivery lol

I was very afraid and told the nurse that and the anesthesiologist just hung out with me for like 30 minutes before the surgery just talking about random stuff. Then my surgeons came in (they had a surgeon for each side plus the plastic surgeon) and it was like a party we all just talked and laughed. Wonderful people.

The only weird/uncomfortable thing that happened to me was I could not stop crying when they woke me up. I was triggered because they did an axillary dissection and took out 10 lymph nodes and I wasn't expecting that would happen (I was told it was a possibility just didn't think it would happen). It was all fine nothing had spread it was just a caution but the anesthesia made me super emotional.

My procedure was nipple/skin sparing and honestly I look pretty much the same just a bit flatter and like someone beat me up. That's all. A helpful Instagram account if anyone wants to see some real mastectomy photos that are empowering is @mastectomyandsexy it's particularly great if you're on the young end like me (I'm 35).

If anyone still needs shopping recs, the bra I woke up in was from Masthead Pink and it is way better than the bras I purchased ahead of time. It has loops attached that hold your drains up so there's less tension on the surgical sites. Cocoon Styles on Etsy has great velcro shirts that are the easiest to get on an off and they're soft jersey. The Renova Recovery shirt on Amazon is also really good. I also recommend a wedge pillow and a tiny pillow to put under your arm if you have lymph involvement like me (they gave me the tiny pillow at the hospital). Last, my surgeon said no showers while I have drains in and they're having me keep the drains for three weeks, I still have one more week ugh. I got Scrubzz Disposable Bathing Wipes on Amazon to stay clean in the meantime.

For anyone that is worried about pain, don't worry too much. I did not get any "good" pain medications, it's mostly been managed with Tylenol and Gabapentin. The only pain I've had is in my armpit from the axillary dissection, the breasts don't hurt at all. Same with numbness, it's not your entire chest cavity that is numb after, it is just the center of the breast - you can still feel all around and in between. I have some numbness in my arm and armpit as well but I think that's temporary. The pain for that got worse in the first week and then an assistant at the doctor's office showed me the pendulum arm exercise and now I've been improving ever since and think I'll be totally pain free within another week.

I say all of this as a person with generalized anxiety disorder. Cancer was definitely not my love language lol

YOU WILL BE FINE. I promise.

Dec 16, 2020 08:27AM Moderators wrote:

morningstardust - We just wanted to let you know that we're here for you and we're so glad that you decided to join the community to share your story, experiences and tips here with everybody. Thank you! We would love to hear more from you. Stay connected!

Best wishes,

From the Mods

Dec 16, 2020 05:47PM hopeful23 wrote:

I’ve added a list in the first post of upcoming surgeries/dates. Wishing everyone a speedy recovery!

dee, hope your appointment went well on Tuesday. Thinking of you.

Bennette, I can certainly relate to being anxious and sad. We will get through this. I had radiation five years ago after lumpectomy, and am still currently on arimidex. Would be happy to answer any questions I can for you.

AB45, I don’t recall being told not to sleep in any particular position after lumpectomy. Supportive sport bra will likely help with comfort during the day and night.

Morningstardust, thank you for sharing your journey and for the recommendations for bras, pillows, wipes, etc for recovery. So glad to know your recovery is going well. Please keep usposted. There are a few of us on this thread having mastectomy soon and your advice and progress is very helpful.

mtspacekace, my house is cleaner now than most anytime ever. I think it’s nervous energy, but it does help to stay busy. I was advised to bring practically nothing, to wear home what I wear there, maybe bring some shorts to wear under the johnnie, toothbrush, cell phone and charger - and I think that’s about it. But I’m not a light packer and I keep adding stuff. Oops.

Taralynn, I hope you are home and as comfy as possible while on your way to a quick recovery. Please let us know how you are when you get a chance.

Dec 17, 2020 05:02PM typhoon wrote:

Hi ladies - I was diagnosed with IDC/DCIS in the left breast, DCIS in the right breast, back in late October. On Dec. 9, I had a bilateral mastectomy, skin & nipple sparing, with immediate reconstruction (direct to implant, pre-pectoral) and sentinel node biopsies on both sides. My plastic surgeon used the Prevena Restor Bella Form system to dress the surgical site. I was able to go home about 2 hours after surgery was completed.

I slept in a recliner for the first several nights at home; after that, I was able to arrange the pillows on my bed to get enough elevation to sleep soundly. I took gabapentin and extra-strength Tylenol for the first 3 days, but didn't really need anything after that. To be honest, I never had to deal with any actual pain - just discomfort. I never lost any range of movement in my arms, though obviously I'm not lifting anything heavy, and the drains do circumscribe my movement a little bit. Going for direct to implant made it easier than those of you who are doing flap reconstruction, as I only had one surgical site to deal with, and was able to be walking around and getting that light exercise immediately. I didn't have any appetite at all during my first 2 days post-surgery, but it came roaring back on the third day!

Fast forward to 8 days post surgery: got the pathology results today, and both the margins and all the lymph nodes (they took out 4 lymph nodes) were clear of cancer cells. The dressings were removed two days ago (day 6 after surgery) and I'm down to two drains, which will come out next week. I have to say that my surgeons did an amazing job - other than the two red lines from the incisions, and a bit of bruising, things look pretty much like they did before surgery (perhaps a bit perkier, but nothing outrageous). The swelling is mostly gone, and it looks like I did end up going down one cup size (from a 32 C to a 32 B).

I meet with the oncologist in early January, to talk about next steps. I won't need radiation, chemo is unlikely, but I will likely have to take Tamoxifen or some other AI going forward.

I wish you all successful surgeries and easy recoveries, and the happiest of holiday seasons!

Dec 18, 2020 07:56PM AB45 wrote:

@Bennette just wanted 2 drop a virtual hug, hope surgery went well, I am having the same surgery very soon!!

Dec 18, 2020 10:38PM Umma777 wrote:

Hello!! I guess I'd better jump in here before time gets away from me. I was diagnosed in August 2020 and have been on an AI since then. I guess the "goal" was to reduce my tumor size to make lumpectomy an option, however I am still planning on going forward with my plan which is BMX with reconstruction. Unfortunately, appts were delayed due to Covid quarantine, so now my surgery is scheduled for 12/24. Who does that? Only me!!! The next surgical date available was late January and I already feel as tho I have waited way too long. I wanted to say sayonara to the girls back in August!!! Anyhow, here I am, less than a week out prior to surgery. I am very blessed to have an extremely extensive and supportive network of family and friends. I am extremely anxious but not really scared. It does bother me greatly-maybe the most-that due to Covid, I won't be able to have my husband with me pre or post op. I'm supposed to stay one night and come home on Christmas day. I'd really like to plan to come home the same day, but I know if I plan that, there will be a complication that prevents it, so I'm leaning towards one night LOL Nurse jitters, to say the least. Much love and best wishes to all of you who have already had surgery or it is immediately coming up! God Bless!

Dec 19, 2020 12:22PM Taralynn wrote:

hi ladies! Just had my BMX on Tuesday and doing well! I came home Wednesday, which was unexpected. It was supposed to be a same day procedure but due to some issues with my skin, they kept me overnight and I’m glad they did. Recovery was a bit rough with nausea etc. Due to Covid I couldn’t have anyone with me. My husband dropped me off and picked me up the next day. That was tough also.

But I’m feeling much better then expected! Pain is very manageable. They gave me gabapentin which Iwas not familiar with but it works well. And then I’m just taking Advil and Tylenol during the day. My biggest complaint is fatigue which is from the gabapentin. Drains are annoying but definitely not as bad as I’ve read about. I think I got myself too frantic reading everyone else’s stories. This is definitely not a “one size fits all” type of experience!! Hope everyone else is doing well also!

Dec 19, 2020 06:51PM Melbo wrote:

I have a lumpectomy and reconstruction scheduled for Monday. I was initially nervous about the pain of recovering from surgery, but I got a blood clot from my port a few weeks ago and now I’m paranoid that I won’t wake up from the surgery, even though the chanceof me developing a clot from this surgery is very tiny. No arguing with fear though.

I also have to go to the breast imaging center a few hours before surgery to have wires placed to help the surgeons know where my tumors were - not exactly thrilled at that thought either.

Realistically I know it will all be fine and it most likely won’t hurt that much, but once again the scared part doesn’t want to listen to reason.