What Should I Expect After a Bilateral Mastectomy?

Hello, I had a double mastectomy with reconstructive surgery done on March 03. Any help offered please take it, for me I had trouble just getting in and out of bed and using the restroom, getting dressed and draining tubes and bulbs. I’m sure everyone is different but I want to give you my experience. I was prescribed Tylenol and ibuprofen this did not help. My husband purchased CBD oral drops, this help with nerve pain. Drink lots of water so you don’t become dehydrated or constipated due to medication. Rest and take naps when needed. I am in my 5th week of recovery and I am still struggling with sleep and pain and soreness, near my arm pits. My time off from work has been extended an extra 2 1/2 weeks. I hope this helps, I did not realize how vulnerable I would be. I had 4 of my kids naturally no pain medication, this surgery I definitely needed help and could not tolerate the pain well.

I had double mastectomy on 3/17 with expanders put in. I had 4 drains which sucked. My husband emptied them for me everyday. I slept in a recliner for 2-3 weeks. I only took Oxy the first 2-3 days. The drain removal was the worst thing about the whole process. I’m 4 weeks out and I just have nerve pain but that’s manageable. Reach out if you have further questions.

Thank you ladies so much for the info! It means a lot to my husband and I.

I had bilateral mastectomy 3/17 and truly it wasn’t bad. You need to quick order the jammies too from Amazon with interior pockets for the drains- 20 bucks and looks cute if you have visitors and drains are managed. So hard to pin them to your garment stuff them in your pants. Shower lanyards- 3 for 7 bucks on Amazon- you just need one. And then there is a nice wrap around pillow with underarm cutouts that I still sleep with. I took about 3 Vicodin total- Tylenol was enough. Stay hydrated. You can put a pile of pillows but I recommend a wedge. Stuff to buy- but I can’t say enough about the Jammie top!

Tara, what are they called so I can order the jammies on Amazon? Why do I just put jammies for patients with double mastectomy

Pajama top with drain pocket- truly life changing!

I'm new here...I'm hoping to talk to someone with a similar situation. I was diagnosed June'24. Aug 9th had a bilateral mastectomy with expanders, 3 nodes removed, all cancerous. Stage IIIA. Sept. I started Chemo AC-T, I became the poster child for side effects. Last week, I had axillary dissection surgery..8 lymph nodes removed, 5 were cancerous. Here I sit waiting to see if I have to go back for more chemo or straight to radiation. I'm scared cause she removed 8..that has to mean that there's more in there...The funny thing (although there's nothing funny about what we're going thru)...the most painful and uncomfortable part for me is these stupid expanders. If my brain wasn't in a fog at that time, I would have not done it...

I took ibuprofen before I had my draind removed and it really helped.

I had bi-lateral mastectomy with expanders. Had 4 drains, 2 removed at day 10, the other 2 day 16. They did not become uncomfortable until day 13 as the holes in the skin they come out through started getting red and irritated and started stretching. It was a hassle having them and stripping them, but not painful. Their removal did not hurt at all. I took narcotics a couple of times a day for about 5 days and Xanax at night. The Xanax was very helpful with sleep. The narcotics made me constipated for 8 days even though I took stool softeners, fiber, and a Fleet enigma. Prunes finally did the job. I got off the narcotics as fast as I could because of constipation. I felt slight burning in my chest occasionally, and cramping pain. It was manageable. I found lanyards to be the best way to hold the drains, especially during showers. Loose button down shirts and drawn string pants a must! You got this!!

I just had double mastectomy on 4/1. No reconstruction. Went home with 4 drains and a prescription for oxycodone. I had purchased shirts and nightgowns with drain pockets. There is a pillow you can get for the ride home so the seatbelt doesn’t press on you. I’m doing very well with only 2 drains left. Only used Tylenol the first 2 days home. If you’re not having reconstruction, check out knittedknockers.org. I ordered a pair. Didn’t get them yet. Very happy with my decision for no reconstruction. I had awesome surgeons!

I wanna thank all you ladies for your wonderful advice. I wrote a lot of things down what to order and what helps with pain. I really really appreciate it and God bless you all. I hope we all heal fast and get on with our lives. Love to all.

I had a double masectomy with aesthetic flat closure on 4/15. 1-3 lymph nodes were taken but no cancer found in them. I am doing alright with wedge pillow on my couch and shirts with drain pockets, but i am allergic to surgical tape and glue (was on my allergy list pre-op) and it is covering the entire incisions. The rash and itch are driving me crazy; only ice packs help. I know this too shall pass! Overall, recovery hasn’t been too bad as far as pain.

Marlene, I had double mastectomies with saline implants at the time of surgery as skin and nipple sparing. I initially had 3 nodes removed that tested negative and I was in hospital 14 hours and went home with 4 chest drains, that night. I did amazingly well recovering and used little to no pain medications. Nearly 2 years later, and post a full year of aggressive chemotherapy and radiation, my surgery sites look wonderful and hard to see any scars. I’m wishing you the very best:) 🙏

I had my DMX a week ago today only pain is the 4 drain tube's & incision under my right arm where she took the sentinel node. My breast incisions are fine, no pain there Use an extra pillow under arm for node removal & use your mastectomy pillow often. I slept sitting up for 3 nights but my butt felt like I was getting a bedspread So I sleep in bed on my back with pillows on each side & I have slept amazing!!! I like it because I can reach over & touch my fiance like I always have & he does same That is excellent therapy for me!!! I wish you good luck & a great recovery!!!

Meant bed sore!!!!

Had double mastectomy 2/13 with expanders. Went home same day with 4 drains. All the things mentioned were of great use…. I personally liked the Velcro front closure bra with loops at the bottom to attach/hook the drains to. I was sent home from hospital in one and bought another. I alternated with button up pajama tops with pockets inside. The drain holding lanyards and snap belt drain holders were also of great use during showers. Incisional pain was a breeze. I had a hard time with the nerve pain that developed about 2-3 weeks after. That was most uncomfortable for me, but by the 6 week mark, this had subsided and I was able to wean off gabapentin. One thing that was recommended to me and turned out quite useful was a bidet seat for the toilet. (Costco) It wasn’t absolutely necessary, but boy it came in handy! Good luck!

The things I found most helpful were sleeping in a recliner, bidet seats, good front closure surgical bras, loose pajamas, and Velcro front closure tops. Put your things shelf height so you can reach them. It’s hard to be dependent on someone for everything, so it’s helpful (for your mental health) to pre-arrange things so you can reach them and feel like there are some things you can do to help yourself. Even things like loosening the mouthwash top and leaving it that way so you can reach it when you want it is nice. You don’t realize the simple things that temporarily become difficult and frustrating, being able to do anything small for yourself is encouraging. So put things in reach before surgery. Try to tell yourself you are getting better - even if it’s a little - every day, and know that better days are coming. You may not know how you will get through it some days but you will. Intentionally keep your mind positive and hopeful about the future.

Chest pillow. Fanny pack for drains, shower lanyard for drains, button up loose pj tops, Velcro side open tops, pillows on both sides of arms during sleep on back, shampoo shower cap no rinse, soapy body sponge no rinse, these were all my favorite things bought on Amazon after my March mastectomy.

You’re going to be able to hug people a lot closer after your surgery. Be ready for that. It’s a little more vulnerable than I was expecting

Just got out of the hospital yesterday with a bilateral. Pain for me is managed with ibuprofen and tylenol. I've needed some help, but not nearly as much as I imagined. I hope for you the same.

My daughter found a mastectomy pillow on Amazon, best thing in the world. It comes with a pillow for the seat belt as well. She found a lot on Amazon and Honey Bee is another company for women who have had a mastectomy.

Hi Marlene, I had a double mastectomy in May of last year. I took Percocet and muscle relaxers on schedule and did just fine. Get a wedge to sleep on, this will help a great deal. I also slept with multiple pillows to help prop myself up. Get some abdominal combine pads to put over your excision sites and in your bra for comfort. You will do just fine. I am single and really didn’t have any help so you got this!

Recovery experiences can vary from person to person, but many find that having a good support system and following their medical team's guidance helps with both pain management and daily activities during healing. This community has many members who've been through similar experiences and may share helpful insights about what worked for them during their recovery journey.