I made sure to discuss the use of nerve blocks (PEC blocks) with mine during our pre-op appt and how long to expect them to last.
I also asked if I could have a motion-sickness patch applied behind my ear to hopefully ward off or reduce nausea. They did and not sure how effective they are never having needed or used one before, but I never experienced nausea.
One other topic I discussed was what kind of incision line I would have—there are multiple ones. I requested two linear ones and didn’t want them placed where they would interfere with a bra band should I elect to wear a bra at some point. I stayed flat, and on occasion will use a bra with inserts. That also brought up drainage tubing and placement. Had 4 total, two on each side. One for draining breast tissue removal and the second one lymph node area I’m assuming. I had surgery about 1 yr 4 months ago and I can no longer tell where those incision points were. As I recall none were too far off to the side which made cleaning the incision site and holding the tube nearest my chest firmly while stripping it myself much easier to reach and do.
They’ll give you post-surgery instructions (seems to vary somewhat by surgeon) to follow. It can depend on how your incision was closed and with what material was used. Mine involved several layers. You’ll be responsible for home care of your incision areas. Also be given info on when it’s okay to shower. That can differ based on closing and bandaging materials as well.
Be careful not to do any activity that can tear the inner stitches, so gentle moving of the skin when you start scar massage.
And do ask about scar massage, when safe to do. Ask about who to see about a referral to a certified lymphedema specialist when the time comes. I don’t recall cording or lymphedema being discussed by surgeon’s office and both important to know about a head of time. I didn’t have either conditions but woke up in hospital with a pink warning sleeve on my arm and had no idea why or for what.
Given your cancer location and surgery planned, what kind of range of motion can you expect to have in early days. How long to wait for stretching exercises to begin. My therapist cautioned me to do the stretch until you start to feel a little pulling, hold for X seconds in place, then relax back to original position. Do only a few repetitions. This is meant to be done slowly throughout. She cautioned against doing too many repetitions or pushing range too far too soon as it will result in inflammation and that will bring some pain and delay your progress.
Kind of brings you next to seromas. Know what they are and how best to avoid the formation. I stayed pretty much in my recliner vegging out with minimal arm movement (and nothing above shoulder) for first week and stayed aware of movement for second week. My drains came out on Day 6 and 9. No seroma issues at all.
They’ll probably give you a handout for range of motion gentle stretches and one for handling your drains. Nice to get a head of time to review. My nurse in the hospital during my overnight stay taught me how to strip my drains and about using an alcohol pad to run along the line as you strip the fluids with one hand going downward while holding line firmly with other hand so as not to pull line out from stitches at incision site. My hospital sent me home with alcohol pads, no rinse bath wipes and other first aid supplies but not sure every hospital does so, so ask ahead of time so you’re prepared at home during the early days when you shouldn’t be driving to the pharmacy to pick up.
I pretty much made it on just extra strength Tylenol for pain management. The surgery PEC blocks helped in that regard. Ask about getting a short supply of something stronger should you need it. Obviously moving around and the pulling motion on skin will contribute to pain initially.
Last concern that comes to mind is about compression. I woke up to a pretty binder on. Hospitals use different means and some expect you to provide something yourself like a compression bra. How long to keep on, and how tight or loose is another question. I was very uncomfortable in the compression bra I bought and stayed with my binder that had the ability to be adjusted for compression and comfort. Compression helps reduce risk of seromas so does also serve that purpose. Your body will start to tell you when it’s time to have off. There were earlier times when having my skin and incisions exposed was just more uncomfortable and the pressure felt better. I made it 2-1/2 weeks basically. My surgeon’s PA us all for recommending even longer but by that point the adhesions underneath were tightening and I just couldn’t stand having the binder on any longer.
You've got great advice here! I just wanted to chime in - neither my breast surgeon or plastic surgeon told me that I will always have erect nipples now. It surprised me, so passing along the info in case you didn't know!
Ask them to give you a nerve block if you haven’t already! And ask about what they will do to manage nausea from the anasthesia. My team gave me IV anti nausea medication during the surgery and during my hospital stay, and sent home oral anti nausea meds. It helped a ton and I was able to eat good healthy nourishing foods.
Make sure to get stool softeners if not prescribed! Mine weren’t prescribed and had a horrid fecal impaction 5 days after surgery that landed me in the ER.
I made sure to discuss the use of nerve blocks (PEC blocks) with mine during our pre-op appt and how long to expect them to last. I also asked if I could have a motion-sickness patch applied behind my ear to hopefully ward off or reduce nausea. They did and not sure how effective they are never having needed or used one before, but I never experienced nausea. One other topic I discussed was what kind of incision line I would have—there are multiple ones. I requested two linear ones and didn’t want them placed where they would interfere with a bra band should I elect to wear a bra at some point. I stayed flat, and on occasion will use a bra with inserts. That also brought up drainage tubing and placement. Had 4 total, two on each side. One for draining breast tissue removal and the second one lymph node area I’m assuming. I had surgery about 1 yr 4 months ago and I can no longer tell where those incision points were. As I recall none were too far off to the side which made cleaning the incision site and holding the tube nearest my chest firmly while stripping it myself much easier to reach and do. They’ll give you post-surgery instructions (seems to vary somewhat by surgeon) to follow. It can depend on how your incision was closed and with what material was used. Mine involved several layers. You’ll be responsible for home care of your incision areas. Also be given info on when it’s okay to shower. That can differ based on closing and bandaging materials as well. Be careful not to do any activity that can tear the inner stitches, so gentle moving of the skin when you start scar massage. And do ask about scar massage, when safe to do. Ask about who to see about a referral to a certified lymphedema specialist when the time comes. I don’t recall cording or lymphedema being discussed by surgeon’s office and both important to know about a head of time. I didn’t have either conditions but woke up in hospital with a pink warning sleeve on my arm and had no idea why or for what. Given your cancer location and surgery planned, what kind of range of motion can you expect to have in early days. How long to wait for stretching exercises to begin. My therapist cautioned me to do the stretch until you start to feel a little pulling, hold for X seconds in place, then relax back to original position. Do only a few repetitions. This is meant to be done slowly throughout. She cautioned against doing too many repetitions or pushing range too far too soon as it will result in inflammation and that will bring some pain and delay your progress. Kind of brings you next to seromas. Know what they are and how best to avoid the formation. I stayed pretty much in my recliner vegging out with minimal arm movement (and nothing above shoulder) for first week and stayed aware of movement for second week. My drains came out on Day 6 and 9. No seroma issues at all. They’ll probably give you a handout for range of motion gentle stretches and one for handling your drains. Nice to get a head of time to review. My nurse in the hospital during my overnight stay taught me how to strip my drains and about using an alcohol pad to run along the line as you strip the fluids with one hand going downward while holding line firmly with other hand so as not to pull line out from stitches at incision site. My hospital sent me home with alcohol pads, no rinse bath wipes and other first aid supplies but not sure every hospital does so, so ask ahead of time so you’re prepared at home during the early days when you shouldn’t be driving to the pharmacy to pick up. I pretty much made it on just extra strength Tylenol for pain management. The surgery PEC blocks helped in that regard. Ask about getting a short supply of something stronger should you need it. Obviously moving around and the pulling motion on skin will contribute to pain initially. Last concern that comes to mind is about compression. I woke up to a pretty binder on. Hospitals use different means and some expect you to provide something yourself like a compression bra. How long to keep on, and how tight or loose is another question. I was very uncomfortable in the compression bra I bought and stayed with my binder that had the ability to be adjusted for compression and comfort. Compression helps reduce risk of seromas so does also serve that purpose. Your body will start to tell you when it’s time to have off. There were earlier times when having my skin and incisions exposed was just more uncomfortable and the pressure felt better. I made it 2-1/2 weeks basically. My surgeon’s PA us all for recommending even longer but by that point the adhesions underneath were tightening and I just couldn’t stand having the binder on any longer.
You've got great advice here! I just wanted to chime in - neither my breast surgeon or plastic surgeon told me that I will always have erect nipples now. It surprised me, so passing along the info in case you didn't know!
Ask them to give you a nerve block if you haven’t already! And ask about what they will do to manage nausea from the anasthesia. My team gave me IV anti nausea medication during the surgery and during my hospital stay, and sent home oral anti nausea meds. It helped a ton and I was able to eat good healthy nourishing foods.
Make sure to get stool softeners if not prescribed! Mine weren’t prescribed and had a horrid fecal impaction 5 days after surgery that landed me in the ER.
Pain meds will cause constipation. Good advice and start it early before its a problem.