What to expect following a mastectomy

[ecam]

I have been diagnosed with a hi grade malignant phyllodes tumor as well as a mass in another area of the same breast that appears to contain atypia cells trying to become cancer.  Because of the size, location & other mass, my doctors have reccommended a skin saving mastectomy with lyph node mapping.  My plastic surgeon will participate at the surgery by placing an expander once the breast is removed in preparation for reconstruction. I am very comfortable with this plan but I am concerned about the level of pain I will experience, as well as how long I will have to remain inactive.  I would appreciate any information you can share about what to expect from a mastectomy and reconstruction.
Thank you so much!

[CCF-RN,MSN-rf]

Dear ecam:  Most women recover from a mastectomy quite well - discomfort for a few days, a drain or two that goes home with you, and recommendations for limited mobility for a defined period - with special arm exercises.  The reconstruction may add a little bit of discomfort but the tissue expander approach is easier to recover from than the TRAM flap, although women who choose this approach do very well also.

[eamona]

Dear Ecam,

A wonderful site to ask questions of other women who have had reconstruction and to read lots of info on the subject is:      

www.bcsupport.org     Good luck on your journey.  As the doctor and nurse said, the pain is not very bad for mast.  I had a DIEP abdominal flap reconstruction, and hardly had any pain from that.   Eamona

[surgeon]

I think the best source of info is from your surgeons: they know exactly what they plan and what your anatomy is, and therefore can give the most informed explanation of what to expect. Don't be shy about asking every question you need to know. In general, mastectomy is not a very painful operation, because it's really on the skin and the tissues below the skin. Usually arm motion is limited only by comfort. Tissue expanders can add to the discomfort, causing a sort of pressure feeling. But usually they don't start expanding the tissue for awhile. So, if you are like most women, you'll be pleasantly surprised that there's not a great deal of pain after.

[ecam]

Thank you so much for your commments.  They were very comforting and helpful.

Ecaam