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Has anyone a double mastectomy and a reconstruction the same day? I’m wondering how long you were off a physical job . I just hope if I decide to go this route it’s not to much down time. I do normally recover from everything rather quickly

Brenda McMillan Profile
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anonymous

Learning About Breast Cancer 6 months
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  • Janet Stitt Profile
    anonymous
    stage_1 Patient
    Brenda, I had a bilateral mastectomy with immediate reconstruction. They put temporary implants called spacers at that time. Your plastic surgeon then gradually puts saline or air in the implants on a routine schedule until you reach the size both you and the surgeon find acceptable. Once that is done, they exchange the spacers with permanent implants. Everyone is different with recovery, but I found it easier than I thought. The saline or air filling is painless. It does ache a few hours later, but not uncomfortable in 24 hours. I had no pain when they exchanged implants. You really have very little feeling in the breast area. You will have drains which will stay in 1-3 weeks. Not painful, but they are annoying. Once my drains were removed (3 weeks), I was released to resume working out with limited weighs, and chest work. While not a picnic, much easier than expected. Best of luck. Janet
    6 months • Flag
    • Brenda McMillan Profile
      anonymous
      Learning About Breast Cancer

      Thank you for the information I truly appreciate it

      6 months • Flag
  • Janet Stitt Profile
    anonymous
    stage_1 Patient
    One other thought. Unless you have a very physical job, once the drains come out, and your surgeon releases you a desk job should be easy if you have a history of easy recovery. The final decision will be your surgeons.
    6 months • Comment • Flag
  • Thumb avatar default
    anonymous
    Learning About Breast Cancer
    I had a double mastectomy with expanders & drains placed. I was in paint for the first couple of days because my expanders were filled with 25cc saline. Nurse showed me great stretches to help with pain. Drains in for 1 week or until fluid is clear. Removal drains was painless. Expanders filled to 34b my original size & it took 2 months. I filled them slow to avoid being in pain. I stayed home for a year because my job paid me to be out. Once drains were removed I could have gone back to work in 2 months with limited duties if I did office work.
    6 months • Comment • Flag
  • Leigh Anne F. Profile
    anonymous
    Survivor since 2014
    I had a double mastectomy with implants placed same day. I went back to work after 2 weeks. You will have drains that will be in for 1 to 2 weeks and it’s best not to work while those are in. You also can’t drive. I have a desk job so I was not doing much activity.
    6 months • Comment • Flag
  • Heather King Profile
    anonymous
    Learning About Breast Cancer
    I am 42- pretty active- I had a double mastectomy with tissue expanders placed same day on11-15-2017. Today is week 3. I am able to do most things myself with lots of help from family with lifting and cleaning. I am expected to return to work around 1-24-2018 everyone heals differently. I would count on at least 8 weeks. Hope this helps!
    6 months • Comment • Flag
  • Jacqueline Wickiser Profile
    anonymous
    Learning About Breast Cancer
    Hi, I had this done. I was out of work for 10 days. I could have gone back sooner but the drains needed to come out first. That is the worst part, they are annoying. It was way easier than I thought it would be. I read horror stories prior to mine and was scared but it wasn't anywhere near as bad as I thought. Good luck!!
    5 months • Comment • Flag

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