Back from bilat w/ expanders

skeetur · 03-04-2007, 06:07 AM

I'm back and doing well got home yesterday afternoon. Surgery was Friday afternoon. Everything went pretty much routine from the doc's point of view. Stayed overnight at hospital. Did fine with pain management on the PCA pump and now oral meds are fine. I have an On-Q pump that is feeding local pain meds into each breast. I'll have that for 5 days total. When it runs out of meds, we are to pull those catheters out. Oh boy. Have two drains, one in each breast. Keeping track of the output. Have to call plastic surgeon every day with the numbers. No showers til drains are out so guess I'll be sponge bathing. Haven't taken dressing off. Will do that in a while. Pain is definitely from the expanders under the muscle. Deep breaths are sore.

Path report should be back in 4-5 days per surgeon. So maybe Wednesday?

Take care, folks!

Skeetur

janet/FL · 03-04-2007, 06:14 AM

So glad you are doing fine and posted your progress. I have never heard of pain meds infused to the site! Maybe it is common, just haven't heard of it. From what you describe, it seems like we will all need a lisence to practice nursing in the years to come as more and more responsibilty for care is placed on the patient.
Hugs--and best wishes.

skeetur · 03-04-2007, 06:19 AM

I think the On-Q pump is used a decent amount for plastic surgery. My friend had a lower body lift (following large weight loss) and had the On-Q pump pushing pain meds right into the wound which was completely around her lower body. Anyway, the thing is a great tool in pain management.

So I have no clue how painful this would be without it in there. I'm sore but far from suffering.

Take care!

jessica · 03-04-2007, 06:22 AM

Hey Skeetur~
Glad you're home & resting well & you're pain is under control.Thank God for that-having constant pain can be really exhausting. I think you'll be just fine by the time they pull the On-Qpump. Everyday, you'll feel a little better & better. It's amazing how resilient the body is!
My surgery was on Friday too - outpatient to swap out the expander on the L & augment the R, so I was home that afternoon.I had a brutal headache all day yesterday & some nausea~probably from the anesthesia, pain meds & no food/no appetite for 2 days, but today's much better!I've switched to Tylenol b/c that nauseau was NO FUN!
It's interesting the different surgeons follow different protocols - I was allowed to shower w/the drain-but just a perfunctory wash-no standing & soaking. But I will say, I was a little nervous, standing in a slippery tub w/the Jtube hanging from the curtain rod.Sponge baths are just as well - baby wipes aren't just for babies!
FYI-30cc's is the magic number. Once your drainage output is down to 30cc over a 24hr period, they'll dc the drain.
So take good care, rest well, know that you're body is healing every day, a little more.
Keep us posted on the path report.

Take good care & keep the faith~

Jessica

tousled1 · 03-04-2007, 06:37 AM

Glad to hear your surgery went well. WhenI had my bilatreal mastectomy surgery I also had the QPump in each breast. Before you know it you'll have the expanders filled and swapped out. Wishing you a speedy recovery.

MJo · 03-04-2007, 07:47 AM

I sure don't want to try mastectomy with reconstruction, but one advantage after it's all over is a matching set of breasts. My left breast sags two inches lower than my lumpectomy breast. I told the surgeon he should offer lumpectomy patients a two for one deal. A breast lift would cost a couple thousand. I'm taking a cruise instead. Several women in my support group showed off their new breasts after reconstruction. It was hilarious. We huddled in a corner so nobody could see us through the windows and someone was on the lookout for the male group members. I hear a lot of jokes about 19 year old breasts on a 50 year old body. Sounds great to me.

caya · 03-04-2007, 07:48 AM

Hi skeetur,

glad you are home - take it easy. When I had my MRM in dec., I also had two drains, both from the right breast. I also could not take a shower until they were both out - for me it was 2 weeks of sponge bathing. But I managed (don't we always?) Good luck for your pathology report - keep us posted.

all the best
caya in canada