Mastectomy & Reconstruction

[gordbenn66]

Booked in for mastectomy & reconstruction in March, has anyone any advice about op what bra is good for after op (problem been that only one side is been done so will be different size for a few months till i can get other one done to match) anything at all to help please.

[anneasquith]

gord. i wish you well after your surgery. re your question, hopefully an aber who has had the same surgery, or knows someone who has gone through it will notice your post.

[midagetrolop]

I had a mastectomy 5 years ago, but no reconstruction. All I can say to you is do your exercises they give you after, I assume your lymph gland are being looked at, so you will get full movement back, like getting your arm straight up! The operation is not that painful, the drain pulled more than anything else. You will be fine. I use Amoena and Eloise for my prothetics and you can't tell, you will get one free on the NHS, but make sure they give you the right size. I use a Beeny Bob, it's like a bean bag, but is it lighter and doesn't sweat you in the summer, I think you can get them from Eloise, but if you are having a construction you won't need them! So good luck, as I say you will be fine, if you want to ask anything else don 't hesitate.

[gordbenn66]

Thank you midagetrolop, how long was it before you started feeling 'normal' again both in yourself and getting range of movement back again? Lymphs are clear so thats one good thing. Did you have any trouble with fluid build up after drains came out? Many thanks

[midagetrolop]

Hi gordbenn66, just come in from shopping. I think I felt ok about 3/4 weeks after, I started back at aerobics in about 6 weeks, as to fluid build up, yes I did, I went back to the hospital on 2 occasions to be "drained" but after that I left it and i disappeared on its own after a week or two. The first time I went back to be drained I could make it ripple across my chest, my husband and I laughed about it, the 2nd time not so bad, so just leave it, it will disappear. As for movement it came gradually, but I did the exercises, like walking my hand up the wall, using the bath towel after a shower pulling it back and forth across your back, if you know what I mean. Glad to know your lymphs are clear, that's v good, are you taking tamoxifen or arimadex, or are you not oestrogen receptive like me? Does your nipple still itch like a phamtom limb, that's horrible ti nearly drives you mad! Anyway look after yourself and you will get back to normal quickly and hopefully be OK. Best of luck. If you want to know anything else just ask.Bye for now.