Im to have a mastectomy sept tenth..need info....?

if you are having a radical you will require about 2-3 weeks time to heal.Drains should usually come out in about 5 days or even less.I am not sure what kind of hospital stay your doctor required but it could be up to 3 days if your not undergoing reconstruction postmastectomy same day. Minimize your activity while drains are in as exerting yourself causes more fluid to drain. I think they will check the tissue in path and see from there if chemo or radiation will be needed unless they have informed you otherwise. Like any surgery you will be given post care instruction and pain meds( usually hydrocodone and antibiotics as well)
I do not know if you have consulted a reconstructive surgeon concerning the issues of a tram vs a latissimus dorsi flap with tissue expanders or just tissue expanders with implant but if you decide that route post mastectomy it will add to your surgical and healing time.Feel free to email me if you have questions...Good luch and take care!

I just want to say.....be strong and positive....rest and take good care of yourself.....my best to you!!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mastectomy here's some info from wikipedia

firstly i'd like to say i'm sorry to hear that but secoundly i know it sounds trite but try not to worry as success is most likely.
There are different types of mastectomy either full or partial. With both you can have whats called an axillary clearance at the time of the op where the lymph nodes under your arm are removed .Usually the nodes are sent for pathology to make sure the cancer hasn't spread .Your surgeon however usually can tell if it look's suspect at the time of the op so he wll tell you when you wake up rather than having to wait for lab results.Lab result will confrm however. After the op you will be feeling pretty soare and tired for a while depending on the dr and the hospital there are different types of analgesia you can be offered .Varies from injections in the bum ,injection into your drip (which is most likely for 12 to 24 hours after surgery ,drip is just to help keep you hydrated) another type is a patient controlled analgesia where you decide when you need more pain relief .It is in a little pump and you have a little button you press when pain relief is needed. You possibly will need phsio for your arm on the effected side too , this is so you don't freeze up too much and also to help your arm drain of fluid.You may also have some small drains in for a day or two to help excess blood come away from the site. There are also options for reconstrustion at or soon after the surgery but this is a very personal choice and you should chat with your dr if it is something that you have been thinking about. You may need radiadtion also after surgery but again will depend on how much of your breast has been affected. Hopefully somebody will offer you some councelling or get you in contact with support groups they're not for everyone but can be great.Tell your family or friends that you will need a bit of TLC for a while as it's not just the physical scares that need mending.Make sure you get a chance to talk to your dr before the date of the op start writting down your questions now as when you are face to face you very often forget through nervousness.You hopefully will be seen by an anaesthetist they just check you out before the anaesthetic and are often the best people to ask about types of pain relief .I wish you lot's of love and luck and will pray for a speedy recovery for you .all the best

I had a hysterectomy from cancer & I went to an art exhibit about breast cancer & how the women felt about themselves afterward.

The operations are pretty safe, as much as any other. As long as you have a normal, good surgeon, that part should be fine.

Afterward, the main thing to remember is this: People who love you, love YOU, not just your body. If anyone rejects you because your body is different, they are really shallow, aren't they??

There are lots of bras with artificial insides, plus various implants, so nowadays people can hardly tell, from the outside.

Just focus on yourself & on GETTING BETTER!! Give yourself plenty of time to recover, too. Don't let anyone rush you to do more than you're ready for!

The American Cancer Society has various support groups. You may want to join a Breast Cancer survivor support group for help, starting now, too.

Get well, soon!

I had a partial mastectomy 3 years ago and was able to go home the same day with drains and lots of bandages. I am very sensitive to tape so gave fair warning to my surgeon before hand. They have some good stuff now days. The drains will be tubes attached to little bottles to collect the fluid and will need to be measured and emptied periodically. I was able to handle these after the first couple of days. I was able to go back to work after a week, with my drs. ok, but took off time later for chemo.

If you want to talk to anyone, please contact me.

Since you have developed breast cancer, that's why mastectomy was done... According to Ayurveda- traditional ancient Indian system of medicine, the breast cancer is related to Abortion and miscarriages in the past.
So whatever was the cause, now in future, you must use some herbs like kachnaar for atleast 3-4 years, so that the cancer never develops again or in any other part. You can consult at www.planetayurveda.com for free.

You will do fine. I had a lumpectomy with sentinel node removal June 1st. I'm almost done with my 33 days of radiation. I have a friend who underwent a mastectomy 2 weeks before I went for surgery. She's doing fine. The chemo gets her down a bit. But after a couple of sessions, her Oncologist fine tuned the drugs to help with the side affects. One of the most positive things out of this entire experience, I have met some of the most wonderful people, many who are going (have gone) through more than I have. When you see others who are suffering with this disease, you can count how fortunate you truly are.

If you want to contact me on MySpace (www.myspace.com/breastcancerfighter) I was diagnosed with Breast cancer 3 years ago when I was 19. I did not have a mastectomy. but on my MySpace page I have many women of all ages who have and I can hook you up woth them to talk. Good luck to you. I know all too well what you have been facing!