Preventive Mastectomy: Revision Surgery The First 10 Days

Posted November 30, 2024 by Prairie Wife - 6 comments

On November 13, I underwent surgery (the first of two) to fix some complications I had from my Preventive Mastectomy almost 9 years ago. Below is information about my revision surgery and the first 10 days of healing.

Note: I decided to include real pictures of my body in this post because I know that it will help to prepare other women as they begin this journey and educate family members and friends. I hope that you, my readers, will be respectful of that choice. If you are offended by the thought, it’s best for you to stop reading here.

Going in for my Revision Surgery wasn’t nearly as terrifying as when I went in for my original Preventive Mastectomy.

I have the utmost confidence in my doctors. I knew what the recovery process involved, and the Cowkids are WAY older now than when I had the original surgery almost 9 years ago.

The Cowboy and I drove to Denver the night before my surgery, checked into our hotel, and had a nice dinner out.

We woke up bright and early and were on time for my 5:30 am check-in at the Surgical Center. As the fantastic staff prepped me, The Cowboy and I chatted and laughed.

My surgeon came in and marked me for surgery, we touched base with the anesthesiologist, and they put an IV into my arm.

And then it was time to go!

I gave The Cowboy a kiss, and we headed back to the operating room. As they got me onto the table and prepped the area around me, they asked what kind of music I wanted to have playing. I was told in no uncertain terms that Country wasn’t allowed, and they scoffed at my suggestion of some 90s Britney Spears. So, we went with Gangsta Paradise.

I drifted off as the words “As I walk through the valley of the shadow of death…” played through the speakers.

I woke up in recovery a little less than 4 hours later, feeling no pain.

The doctor came out after surgery and told The Cowboy that he was incredibly happy with how the surgery went. My new implants are now smooth, round, over the muscle, and 285cc instead of textured under the muscle and 350cc implants. It’s common for over-the-muscle implants to be smaller, and I had no concerns about having a slightly smaller shape when we were done. You can find more information about why I had this surgery here.

It’s always tricky for me to wake up from surgery, so I dozed off a few times and finally got my wits together enough to drink water and put on clothes. I could immediately feel the difference in my body with the implants over the muscle instead of under it. Uncomfortable isn’t the word for how my chest muscles have felt the last 8 years, but I COULD feel more freedom in my breathing now with my implants over the muscles. Our recovery nurse, who was a sweetie, patiently showed The Cowboy how to clean my wound drains and then wheeled me out to the car.

The Cowboy and I returned to our hotel room, where pillows were piled up on the bed so I could sleep sitting up (which is needed as long as the drains are in), and I dozed off. The Cowboy got me food and water when needed and kept an eye on me as I walked around the room to prevent blood clots. I took deep breaths often and drank hot tea to help my sore throat. This is a result of the breathing tube during surgery, and in my opinion, one of the more uncomfortable side effects of the surgery.

My pain was minimal, and I only took Tylenol and high-powered Ibuprofen. Nothing more was needed to keep me comfortable. During the surgery, my doctor gave me some shots directly into the surgical sites that should last for 4 or 5 days to help.

Other than the discomfort from the drains, I was doing great. I was pleased that there was no tight, constrictive surgical bra, just large saran wrap-type bandages. It wasn’t a big deal not to use my arms at all; by this point, I’m a pro at functioning with T-Rex arms!

I felt so good that we drove home a day earlier than planned. My doctor was OK with it, and I wanted to make the 4.5-hour drive when I was feeling good. However, I was nervous that my relatively pain-free existence was too good to last.

Once home, we set up my bedroom with everything I needed. I am so grateful that this time, we have a sleep number bed that can move the head and foot portions so I can sleep sitting up as comfortably as possible. It was WAY better than sleeping with pillows stacked up!

I dozed off as my laptop played old movies and some of my favorite early 2000s rom-coms. The Cowboy woke me up to walk around the house, join the family for meals, and take my medication (an antibiotic and a rotation of Tylenol and Ibuprofen).

I had almost no pain for the first few days and took several naps daily. I was able to take a shower 48 hours after surgery, but we kept it quick to ensure we didn’t hurt the plastic “bandage” or risk infection with the drains in. The first few showers exhausted me, and I took an hour-long nap afterward. The Cowboy joked that he was the one who needed a nap. After all, I just stood there while he did all the work!

Anesthesia tends to make me bloated and uncomfortable, so I drank juice and green tea, took Colax, and had The Cowboy put fiber and protein in my morning yogurt. Keeping moving every few hours also helps with this side effect so I made sure to walk laps up and down the hallway as often as possible.

By day 4, I stopped taking any pain meds at all, and while I was tender in a few areas, I was never uncomfortable. At one week post-op, we had a phone call with my doctor, and they approved the removal of the saran wrap “bandage” and told me to wear a soft cotton bra 24/7. It felt great to take that saran wrap off; it was beginning to feel incredibly uncomfortable and itchy! By this time, I was down to one nap a day and could focus on TV shows and reading…I was out of what I call “the dozing grandma stage”!

On Monday the 25th (12 days after surgery), we drove back to Denver for a check-up and they removed my drains.

While I know this process scares most people, I promise it doesn’t hurt!

The doctor was happy with the results, and they told me to lie low for another week, two if possible. They also decided I should not exercise at all until my next appointment in January. Blech. I know they have good reasons for this, but it’s going to be really hard.

They gave me some massages they wanted me to begin doing 4 weeks post-op to try and stretch out the pocket where the implants are sitting. At that time, I also need to start using silicon and massaging my scars to help them heal smoothly.

I’m cleared to drive now and looking forward to a little more independence, but I will need to be careful not to overdo it!

I am incredibly thankful to friends and neighbors who brought meals to us and came to keep me company. It absolutely got a bit lonely sitting at home for so many days in a row! Thankfully, we’ve had some nice weather, so I have been going outside and slowly walking down the driveway and back to the house several times a day.

The next few weeks are about keeping my arms still and moving my body…but not too much. I’m eating as healthfully as possible (lots of protein) to help my body heal, and I’m looking forward to returning to cooking and cleaning. The Cowboy has been amazing, but it is A LOT of work to have a full-time job and take care of all the Cowkids AND the house. He hasn’t complained at all, but I know he’s looking forward to having me back helping again!

I likely won’t do another update until January, when I have my next appointment, but feel free to ask any questions you have about my revision surgery and the first 10 days afterward in the comments!

Categories: Revision Surgery

Tags: , breast cancer, breast surgery, implant exchange, plastic surgery, preventive mastectomy, reconstruction surgery, revision surgery