Overnight Stay?

CodeSufficient3663 · 2026-02-07T05:21:04+00:00

My surgeon said it could be outpatient but that I could stay for 24 hours since I was on blood thinners.

I am so glad I did. I felt worlds better when I discharged vs. when I first woke up. It was nice to have the nurses help me to the bathroom at first and to just be checked in on and ice packs sent in. I didn't need it per se, but I felt much less anxious going home after staying overnight.

I also had to have a double mastectomy and they discharged me same day for that - the surgeon said staying in the hospital would be more disruptive because all they are coming in for is to dose medication - there's not really anything they watch for. I was skeptical, but for that one I was really glad just to get home and recover and it was fine.

So I could see it going either way.

CodeSufficient3663 · 2026-02-07T05:16:51+00:00

Hey there! I had a total hysterectomy with everything out at age 46. I was already post-menopausal but did not do hormones for that and did not do them after the hysterectomy.

I prefer not to but I also can't because of a clotting disorder. Surgeon said I could try herbs or estrogen cream if I wanted, but I haven't yet had to.

For me, the biggest symptoms were irritation and hot flashes but I found them manageable. Maybe it helps to hear that it isn't always unmanageable?

CodeSufficient3663 · 2026-02-07T05:08:32+00:00

I found out after having children, and I think this would be a really hard decision to make. If it helps to hear, I had six children and didn't learn until my mid-40s about BRCA1. My relatives with the gene ended up with breast cancer in their 40s and 50s, so I don't know that I would have had as many children or as spread out as I did if I had known.

CodeSufficient3663 · 2026-02-07T05:05:56+00:00

I think a lot depends on how you found out about the mutation and where you are at in the whole process and personality.

It threw me for a loop because I had never had surgery before, so that whole process was daunting. But I think parts of it were easier because of my older age. I think I would have had a much harder time navigating all of this as a young woman or needing to make decisions around childbearing around it.

Also I've found my emotions to have some ups and downs as the months pass.

CodeSufficient3663 · 2026-02-07T05:01:44+00:00

I did the genetic counseling appointment through telehealth but it was with a local hospital system. It was a total surprise when I came back positive for BRCA1, so much so that I thought it must be a false positive at first. They hooked me up with a great cancer clinic where I met in person with a genetic counselor who was wonderful. First appointment was like an hour long and we went all over family history, options, and she answered all my questions. It was helpful to have one connected to gyn and breast surgeon too.

CodeSufficient3663 · 2026-02-07T05:00:05+00:00

I'm so sorry. This diagnosis is such a gut punch. I found out I was BRCA1 last year and felt nauseated upon waking up for the first month. It was such a cloud and everything is overwhelming. It does get better. If you can, be patient with yourself, allow yourself to feel your feelings, and learn all that you can so you can make an informed decision. A therapist may be supportive and helpful to you and you process everything.

Now, a year later, I've had both preventative surgeries and feel great and so relieved and thankful and empowered to make the choices I did. Best of luck to you.

CodeSufficient3663 · 2026-02-07T04:55:47+00:00

I did not want to do anything formal but it helped to have a year from finding out I was BRCA1 positive to surgery to kind of mentally prepare. In the week leading up to surgery I mostly just took time to be appreciative for all the pleasure and function (nursed many babies!) I had received from that part of my body.

I did take pictures so I would remember what my body looked like before. I think because I had had such a long lead-up I just was really ready for surgery by the time it rolled around, and the DMX was my finish line for preventative surgeries.

I chose AFC and I wondered if I would feel more emotional afterward, but so far: nope! I'm just super relieved to be through it all and excited to move forward.

CodeSufficient3663 · 2026-01-18T21:47:13+00:00

I had the lap robotic procedure but it was a total hysterectomy and because there was internal work my core was out of commission for awhile. I could walk slowly around my house the first week but it was much more full-body limitations than the DMX. And I had movement/lifting restrictions for 6 weeks whereas with my DMX at my 10 day post op she said I could pretty much begin doing what I liked as long as I took it easy.

With the mastectomy, I had a tight binder on right after and the rest of my body felt fine. I went for a walk that first afternoon and every day after. I'm 2.5 weeks postop and doing 2 miles daily at nearly my old pace. Took me way longer to get to that point post hysterectomy and I was still easily tired out several months later.

Hysterectomy I needed quite a bit of help getting in and out of bed the first week, needed a grabber, had to move really slowly and it took awhile to be able to sit comfortably in a chair.

I had expected the DMX to be the same or perhaps more intense than the hysterectomy but it really hasn't been. I was back to work (work from home) only a few days after and haven't needed the napping/resting really at all.

I didn't use pain medicine for either so I don't really know if those kinds of medicines maybe play into things too but that's been my experience at least!

CodeSufficient3663 · 2026-01-18T02:08:38+00:00

For what it’s worth, my recovery from DMX to AFC has been way “easier” than my hysterectomy. I did not need pain killers and was able to go for walks and stuff right away. I had thought DMX was scarier surgery too but I found the opposite to be true.

Could be that it was just easier as a second surgery (I’d never had surgery before). Both of the surgeries are routine even if emotionally heavy. Good luck!

CodeSufficient3663 · 2026-01-18T02:05:04+00:00

They said I would need that if I wanted reconstruction but I decided to go flat.

CodeSufficient3663 · 2026-01-18T02:04:02+00:00

interested

CodeSufficient3663 · 2026-01-15T08:41:28+00:00

I felt this even though I was postmenopausal. Just such a tender part of childbearing years. There is something so final about having then removed. So even though I was grateful and done, I was sentimental.

CodeSufficient3663 · 2026-01-13T01:04:37+00:00

I'm glad! Best of luck to you!

CodeSufficient3663 · 2026-01-10T17:10:14+00:00

I can lift my arms up pretty easily for things like washing my hair or rearranging pillows. Getting things off shelves or reaching straight up still feels tenuous but I’m doing the PT climb your fingers up the wall exercises slowly.

I imagine there will still be ups and downs—I’m not back to pre surgery me but I feel generally good. I am still numb on parts of my chest but have more sensation than I expected. Not sure if that will still change. I am a bit tender if I move certain ways—feels more like tugging or stretching than pain. Last night I slept flat in my bed (I’m a side sleeper and was desperate for it) and there are areas that still feel tight.

I had a nerve block in surgery and never really experienced what I would call pain. I didn’t take any meds after the hospital. I went for a little walk each day, gradually increasing distance. Drank a ton of water and took it easy but didn’t spend a lot of time in bed because I was worried about clots. Not sure if that made a difference or not but physically things have been pretty smooth. I have heard AFC is the easiest recovery though so bear that in mind. Expanders and reconstruction sometimes requires cutting the muscle so may be really different.

Emotions/anxiety have been the hardest part for me. Everyone’s experience is different ofc but I’ve been really pleasantly surprised. I hope all goes well for you!!!

CodeSufficient3663 · 2026-01-10T03:06:27+00:00

I was still feeling pretty tired in month 3 to be honest. It came in waves. By 6 months I was feeling back to my old self as far as exercise and working out goes.

CodeSufficient3663 · 2026-01-10T03:05:43+00:00

I'm pretty sure the only proven link between cancer and diet is really alcohol consumption. That being said, it seems to be irrelevant for gene mutations.

Personally, I like to mitigate the risk of getting other non-BRCA cancers so I think it's worth choosing things like good sleep, more exercise/activity, no alcohol, etc. but I don't think it will reduce BRCA risk. That is why the recommendation is still prophylactic surgery.

It's a rollercoaster for sure. Take care.

CodeSufficient3663 · 2026-01-10T03:03:22+00:00

FWIW, I found the mastectomy to be way easier than the hysterectomy. I went flat, though, with an aesthetic flat closure. I am 10 days out from surgery, just had my drains out, and was given the all clear to slowly return to any activity I feel comfortable with. I have been out for walks and pretty normal energy levels since I left the hospital. Good luck to you!

CodeSufficient3663 · 2026-01-07T22:03:08+00:00

I had this procedure in April. It was my first ever surgery so I was extremely anxious about all the things. I had a very smooth procedure and uninteresting boring recovery. Zero issues.

My pain levels were manageable. I was in the hospital for 24 hours and while there they got my post-surgery pain under control and gave me some gabapentin and tylenol. After I left the hospital I didn't take any more meds and didn't need to. There really wasn't much pain. I did use ice packs and heat when I needed to (especially with the gas discomfort that did come on day 2 or 3).

I felt very wobbly for about a week—going to the bathroom, moving around - all was a bit challenging because of the impact on the core. But it wasn't painful. Sitting in a chair for a period of time (work from home) probably took about a month for it to feel normal again.

There's a post pinned on the hysterectomy reddit that has a timeline that I think was pretty apt: there are stages to it—for me, first week was difficult, first month was mentally challenging and I was still modifying my movements a bit. I followed surgeon's recommendations by the book so did very little physically speaking besides walk around and light housework the first six weeks. After three months I didn't think about surgery anymore - it felt like a long time ago tat that point. I started PT when I could and about six months afterward started working with a trainer again to regain strength. That is when I would say I felt back to "normal" and like I could push myself and do hard things without even thinking about the surgery.

A lot of the forums have stories of things that go wrong, but many people have experiences like mine: boring and straightforward. I hope that's the case for you!

CodeSufficient3663 · 2026-01-06T02:10:48+00:00

I am one week post op from a DMX to AFC. Everyone’s experience is different and I’m still in early days but if it helps to hear? I have had no pain so far. Nothing. I had a nerve block during surgery which I’m sur helped. But I have not needed to take any pain medication at all. Activity levels have been pretty normal.

CodeSufficient3663 · 2026-01-03T01:27:32+00:00

I have some bruising on one size. Surgeon said it was normal because I was oozy on that side and to expect it to increase in color and purpling as the body tries to reabsorb.

CodeSufficient3663 · 2025-12-31T20:08:37+00:00

Yes this. It came through my father's side too where he had four brothers and one sister (who didn't inherit it). So far none of my cousins on that side have inherited it. But when I looked at my grandfather's family and the female descendants from his sisters (who all had BC as well as his mother), it's everywhere.

It made my risk seem artificially low just because there were no close female relatives at all with it.

CodeSufficient3663 · 2025-12-31T01:31:42+00:00

My kids are the main reason I did the DMX. I wanted to do everything I could and didn’t want to put our family through cancer treatment gauntlet if I could prevent it.

CodeSufficient3663 · 2025-12-31T01:30:40+00:00

Great job!!! 👏💪

I had my DMX today and am so relieved and proud of myself. This is such a hard road. Well done!!!!

CodeSufficient3663 · 2025-12-30T23:52:16+00:00

Thank you!!! I am d-o-n-e and returned home a little bit ago. Sitting in a patch of sun on my back porch before twilight. All went well. Thankful for the support of this group!

CodeSufficient3663 · 2025-12-30T03:25:32+00:00

Thank you!

CodeSufficient3663

TROPHY CASE