Recovery from double mastectomy

Best to your mother! I was independent, except for reaching and anything over 5 pounds within the first week for sure. I was told no lifting over 5 pounds or reaching above my shoulders for 6 weeks. That limited me except I took care to use bottled vs. gallon jugs of water, etc. and to put all upper shelf things I would need on counters, etc. prior to my surgery. I was driving just after a week though should not have driven for about the first 2 - long story battling the surgeon's P.A. over drain removal and my car being stuck 4 hours in that city from where I live.... One is not supposed to drive until drains are removed for sure. Range of motion will likely still be an issue for a time - that varies for folks. Home stretching and even P.T. can be very helpful though you may need to ask about that.

I am still sleeping about 10 hours per night which is obviously NOT related to the surgery at this point. Prior to surgery I was up by 4:45-5:00 a.m. and only sleeping about 7 hours per night for years! I have a lot of other medical issues and think as I regained energy from surgery, which began within 3-4 weeks then something else swooped in related to other medical issues. I was back to regular light exercise with hand held weights and doing my own housework within weeks of surgery though at a much lighter level. I let more go those first 2 months at least though took care of basics a little at a time.

Your mom still has a drain in so she is definitely limited for activities until that is out and the wound heals. Her sleep may be a bit uncomfortable the first 2 to 3 days after that is removed too (or not....). Two weeks is really early for life as it was.....

Everyone is different. I received a prophylactic bilateral mastectomy so unlike many on here I was not going in with a body already dealing with cancer, chemo, radiation. I was essentially as healthy as I could possibly be and young (34). I had immediate reconstruction to implants, sub pec with Alloderm. Two drains. Sent home same day. We are 2 1/2 hours from the hospital I had my surgery so it felt like a long drive home!

That was my first time with general anesthesia and when we found out I deal with post operative nausea and also take a really long time to get out of it. I am also certain it meant - combined with just overall trauma to body from surgery - I was low key fatigued for quite a few weeks after. Still, i I was able to start doing some slow walks within a day or two around my block but of course all the other restrictions applied like T-Rex arms and no lifting over 10lbs until cleared. I stopped RX meds after couple days as hated them and switched to OTC. My drains came out about a week in which was a huge relief as they are so uncomfortable - I just remember the drain sites always feeling like they were pulling or stinging - I also had one pull open a bit and bleed as a clot blocked the tubing where it was still in my body so blood was coming out of drain site rather than through tubing so and to go to ER to fix. Other than needing help with “above arm things” like washing my hair or reaching things I was making my own food, walking down to coffee shop and back for some coffee, puttering about house going stir crazy within 1-2 weeks. I was able to drive once my drains were out and I was off meds but I did not go far as I was concerned about quick movements in case needed, I really didn’t feel *comfortable* driving until about 3ish weeks.

Honestly by about 3-4 weeks I felt fine for most things and had to remind myself to be careful - my body was still healing obviously and would sometimes remind me if I forgot. My chest still felt a bit tight and that took a few more months. And random nerve pains, or discomfort at incision sites continued for a lot longer. Those “zappers” continued even at times after a year. They mostly went away but then have come back after any further surgery.. I was back at gym for lower body activity, back at office, etc all around that 4 week period (cleared by my doctor of course).

Incision and stitch areas can feel uncomfortable for a lot longer than expected. There is a lot of healing going on and stitches can be so irritating. I have a few stitch sites right now from my surgery on March 4 (getting them out today, yay!) and a couple of them fluctuate between being highly itchy and slightly pinchy. I know from experience I might feel some itchiness or tinges at those sites for longer.

The return to “normal” is different for everyone though two weeks after any significant surgery/general anesthesia is early for anyone. Normal is be different for each person (one persons normal may be being able to knit, another persons normal may be running marathons) and our bodies are all different. I myself never returned to sleeping on my stomach and became a permanent back sleeper, so if I was judging return to normal as everything the same as before I guess I would say I never did, ha.

Best to your mom :

thank you for your post. I am almost twice your age but also fairly prophylactic (HLA 2x/hxxxx) and I appreciate your experience.

Ted,

I was 42, and it took me 4 weeks to feel mostly normal and 6 weeks to feel 100%.

I was able to do a lot of things at 3 weeks, but I just wasn't back to normal.

I think I started full exercise and weight lifting at 6 weeks.

Maryjogee, you'll get better responses if you create a new post.

I hope I"m in the right forum!

I am a returnee....in 2008 I had a lumpectomy, rads and chemo in the right breast. Took Tamox and Aromasin for one year and quite. Coulding deal with the wide effects. Since then I have had lymph and lung cancer. I am in remission for 4 years. However, recently up popped cancer in the left breast. Small and caught early. I am having an MRI on 3/23 and then sit down with the surgeon.

I have made the decision to have a double mast, no reconstruction. At my age 73, I am looking for answers on recovery for my age bracket.

I am active...go to the gym and swim. I exercised all during my previous cancer txs and I know that helped. This surgery looks like it will keep me down for how many weeks? What about pain and limitations? I shun drugs whenever I can but I am sure I'll need to take pain pills for a few days anyway. How long was the hospital stay?

This BCO forum was a huge help for me back in 08...hope to join in again.

Thanks,

Thank you. I am interested in recovery for a double w/o reconstruction. I will post in the other forum.

A friend of mine came in and stayed with me two weeks. I was fairly independent within a few days though unable to drive (drains) and was not supposed to lift more than 5 pounds for the first 6 weeks or put my arms above my shoulders for 6 weeks. There is a preparing for surgery list you could search for.... it helped me buy a ton of bottled water instead of jugged prior to surgery, as well as putting anything I though I might need at shoulder level or below, including my medications. I was unable to squeeze the gunk out of my drain tubes into the pouches by myself the first two or three days - way too painful to ssstttrrreeettch around.... I had a lot of tissue build up and didn't want the tubes getting clogged like I had read about.... I also had a really heavy container of laundry detergent I put in many small bottles before surgery. I could not have pulled things from my top loader until about the 10 day mark. It was also difficult getting things from the mid- to back of the dryer until that point. I showered and all independently from get go - washing my hair was a joke though I managed.... bend over so your arms don't have to reach up - some surgeons don't let you shower from what I've read though mine said it was fine.... Not sure what else... If I think of anything else I'll write more....

Choco - here's the surgery suggestions.

https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/91/topics...

I did have expanders so can't speak to your exact question, but after the first couple of days I was managing OK on my own, although not driving.

Choco, Have you completed your surgery? I seem to be handling the single drain I was given just fine. I did find a sweatshirt on Etsy with interior pockets which helps. I spent one night in the hospital so sleepiness after anesthetic was not an issue in self care. I’m sure you’ve helped many others in your lifetime and many would be honored to check on you over your first 24 hours at home. A drop in visit to be sure you have what you need would only take 10 minutes if you needed an extra hand. Accepting loving help and attention is part of the process I’m finding. Please update us.

Hi Kat333:

Forgot to ask you did you sleep on your bed after you got home from BMX or on a recliner ? I don't have a recliner and it does not make sense to buy one just for this. Thanks.

I’m sorry my reply didn’t send. My comments were that during a 9 week decision making wait, those weeks 3-6 were isolating. Please check in here. Read the April surgeries. I’m very pleased with a unilateral and flat closure. Felt very good by week 3. Drains tolerable. Add your thoughts to a May surgery group. Try the Am Cancer Society buddy system for input. This surgery and recovery IS a big deal but very lonely. I sent you a private message but I don’t check in here too often. After 3 weeks of lunches at home with friends I’m ready for our anniversary planning! Good books are available from the library. There’s lots to learn fast. It’s a challenge.

Thank you Moderators/All for welcoming me and offering really great advice and support. I will definitely look into what you've posted here. Very much appreciate you ALL! Here for others as well on my end!!

~Dlphnsgl

I recommend Dr. George Wong for herbs. He is wonderful:)