How to prepare for a mastectomy?

[notsofantastic]

I know I am lucky in that it was found early (DCIS grade 3, stage 0) and the prognosis is very good, but it's in a few places so I will need a mastectomy in a week or so.

It's all moving so fast and I feel in shock about it all. My anxiety is through the roof as have had a number of other health scares recently and other challenges and I just feel broken by this.

If anyone could share any ideas on how to prepare for it, or any things that helped afterwards, I would be so grateful.

Just wanted to say hope all goes well 🌷

Gosh it's horrid news isn't it and a bit of a whirlwind.
I opted for a single mastectomy a few years ago in my early 40s, I didn't opt for reconstruction and I'm still happy with that decision.
I'd say do your research as to surgery and reconstruction if you'd like it. Do all the arm exercise they suggest as that will help massively after the op. I have full range in my arm which I know other people lost.
Ask if you can take arnica tablets before and after the op, they help with bruising.
You'll need some clothing that has buttons or poppers so you don't need to get anything over your head for a few days.
I had a mastectomy pillow which was great for travelling home on the car with, protected the operation site from the seat belt.
Wishing you all the best.

I also have high grade dcis, they tried 2 lumpectomies before this but couldn’t get clear tumour margins both times, so needed mastectomy. I had bilateral mastectomy (I chose both for symmetry) done 5 days ago - no reconstruction - came home the next day, went back to have drains removed after 3 days. Honestly feeling really well physically, especially once the drains had gone. Sleeping is the hardest part as it’s a bit uncomfortable turning over. But otherwise it’s surprisingly un-painful, the area feels numb. The main thing is a feeling of tightness but I imagine that will ease. Good luck OP x

@Silverlakecity thanks for kind thoughts, and @ranoutofquinoaandprosecco and @HarrysChild , I really appreciate you writing about your experiences thank you. It's so much to take in and am exhausted as not in great health anyway but feeling slightly more prepared now. Hoping you both stay well.

@notsofantastic hope all goes well for you. If it helps I've just had my five year all clear and am as well as can be! Just off to do the school run then to potter in my allotment.

Please search out everything Liz O riordan has done on YouTube, pod casts and instagram. She's really helpful. I hope it goes well

I regret not opting for bilateral. Also, reccomend having underarm wax just prior to op as lifting your arms maybe painful for a few weeks. Mine was but I had a complete lymph node retrieval. Hope all goes well.

Can you sew, or do you have a friend who does? I've sewed a few drain bags and more heart shaped pillows (with ribbon ties) for my friend's cancer support group.

@MinnieCauldwell I am actually going to ask that we look at that as I want to make sure I really reduce the risk as I have small children. Also think I will struggle with radiotherapy (and chemo) due to my other health issues and it might be less chance of the need for radiotherapy if I have a mastectomy rather than lumpectomy.

@AirGappedServerScrapings great minds! Have just bought some soft jersey button up pyjama tops and was thinking I will ask my mum (who is better at this than me) to sew some drain pockets on the insides... a thought actually, does the drain pocket go on the mastectomy or the other side?

Not sure, the drain bags I made were like these: https://cancersupportyorkshire.org.uk/content/uploads/2019/09/How-to-make-a-lined-and-reversible-Mastectomy-Drain-Bag.pdf

And the bags were https://www.allfreesewing.com/Sewn-Pillows/Hands-on-Heart-Post-Op-Pillow-from-Fairfield although I had a better one that was the exact size as a fat quarter.

Hi I had a lumpectomy with reconstructive surgery.
Tip from the plastic surgeon is use SoS scar cream after. About £20 on Amazon and he promised he had no affiliation!
wishing you all the best🌸

Be kind to yourself OP. I hope you will have time after the operation to rest and recover. Be prepared to do the minimum for a couple of weeks at least and then further recovery for several weeks. Can you ask family or friends to come and support you, give you a hand or come with treats to chat or go out for a little walk with you when you are well enough? How about lining up a nice book jigsaw or tv series to do when you are at home afterwards?
Before the surgery you could sort out your bedroom and lounge and maybe batch cook? Or if you can afford it pay a cleaner to clean your house and get a supply of ready meals eg from somewhere like Cook?

My only advice to add to all the above is that cancer can be emotionally debilitating for months afterwards - my GP warned me that I might struggle mentally and she was right! 18 months post smx and I still can't touch the scar (OK looking at it though), I cry at the drop of a hat and feel traumatised by the whole cancer journey (and I'm on AI tablets for 10 years which have strong side effects as well). What I'm trying to say is, you may feel more poorly because of the treatments and not the cancer - I naively thought I'd bounce back to my old self! All the above is not meant to be a scare story (a lot of people don't have any problems) but I wish someone had told me x

I love not having boobs and not having to faff about with bras, etc. Life is so much simpler

Thank you @Kapalika @Lifestooshort71 @JussathoB that is really helpful. I have been crying randomly at the drop of a hat (not around my children thank goodness) although that seems to have slowed down now so I can see it has already taken quite a toll on me. Am trying to put as much support around me a I can for the next weeks/months. I really appreciate the advice.

Hi @notsofantastic , sorry to hear you've joined the breast cancer club. You may already know about the charity Breast Cancer Now, but if not I just wanted to flag their online forum which I have found so helpful over the last few years as I went through my diagnosis and treatment. They also have an 'ask a nurse' section where you can get answers to any questions you may have. Good luck with it all, I know it seems too much to cope with right now, but you will get through it, and you are not alone.

I had a single mastectomy almost three years ago. They took one lymph gland as well, although nothing found.

I was operated on at 10am, I stayed in overnight because my temperature was very low, and went home 9am the following morning. I went for a 2 mile walk in the afternoon.

I had no pain, no bruising. I didn't even need paracetamol. I had a vacuum dressing and a drain. The drain came out after a week which was the only thing that hurt a bit. Three years on, no issues so far. All seems to be well.

I bought two cotton post-surgery bras like crop tops from M&S which were soft & very comfortable. The hospital gave me a drain bag.

Good luck, I hope all goes well. xx

I had a mastectomy in Jan and opted for the implant reconstruction. I'm very happy with it.

Things I would say, shirts really handy to avoid lifting arms over your head. (My mum got me a load from a charity shop). If you're having reconstruction then the mastectomy bras which open at the front are great or a supportive sports bra l. I just used a cloth shopping bag for the drain. Also be easy on yourself. Your energy levels will be low as your still recovering from major surgery, but I felt back to normal within a month (except now I'm on chemo so that's another story).

@LurkerTurnedPoster thanks so much, will get over there!

@Meadowfinch that is so hopeful, and so glad you had an easy recovery.

@Onelessboob thanks for sharing and the tips for shirts. Hoping your chemo journey is as good as it can be, not pleasant I'm sure.

Thanks, none of it's ideal, but they have very good anti-nausea drugs these days.

Good luck with your op and a swift recovery!

I also had a bilateral mastectomy for grade 3 dcis but a diep flat reconstruction.
4 children between the ages of 3 and 8 at home.

It was fine, honest.
The breast care nurses at the hospital gave me the ugliest post surgical bra - it was an absolute godsend. Some charity provides it I think?
Buttoned up the front.

It’s definitely a journey you are on, but you will meet some lovely kind people.

I had a single Mastectomy 4 weeks ago after a failed lumpectomy. It did hurt a lot the first few days but just rested loads and pushed througg the exercises every day religiously and by 1 week I was back to looking after my twin toddlers. 4 weeks on I have recovered so well. The area is a little tender but mostly don't even notice it. Made me sad to look at at first but now I don't even get upset I just think wow we bounced back from that fast. Must be strong.
Just praying for good news after my second round of CT staging now!
All the best to you

Lots of help at home for at least 2 weeks helps. The drain is a nuisance and I didn't tell my small children so trying to cuddle them without them realising was very difficult. As soon as you are healed get your proper prosthesis and bras. They're really good, comfy and stylish and hugely restored my self confidence. There is fab swimwear also so explore all those options as soon as you are able. Best of luck Xxx