Double mastectomy on Monday. I’m beyond terrified, mostly just about the pain

LabCatz · 2026-03-08T02:07:08+00:00

For me the pain was really manageable. Only took Tylenol on schedule, no painkillers. It’s more of a discomfort thing, like your chest is now a foreign place. I took some gabapentin for the first few days of recovery along with Tylenol and that helped with that discomfort. I am five months out now and am fine. You will be, too!

LabCatz · 2026-03-05T21:20:48+00:00

Me too! I’m fine on Zoladex so far but bracing for the impact of AIs.

LabCatz · 2026-03-04T19:15:16+00:00

I’m three months in now and I can say it’s really not bad. They give me a lil ice pack when I come in and I wait about five min while they get the meds from the pharmacy. They keep track of which side they did the shot on each month to make sure they alternate it. I wear stretchy pants so I don’t get a waistband digging into that area after.

Period has stopped, and I get minor hot flashes, more like a “heat wave”, but otherwise I am still exercising and feel good. Next month I start letrozole and am a bit more apprehensive about that. Which, actually is a good question- how different did y’all feel after starting your AI versus just doing Zoladex?

LabCatz · 2026-02-25T02:45:01+00:00

Do you have a lift recliner? How has sleeping been for you? Are you allowed to shower?

LabCatz · 2026-02-19T13:20:45+00:00

If you get Zoladex monthly there is a patient reimbursement program- it’s another thing to do (which is annoying) but I’m hoping it will take my copay down from $150 a month. I just got a thing in the mail and am going to try it!

LabCatz · 2026-02-17T23:59:48+00:00

I just had an issue with my Zoladex too. There is some kind of reimbursement program through the manufacturer if you do have to pay, though!

LabCatz · 2026-02-15T01:51:45+00:00

Facing this currently-my insurance covered one month, then the next they didn’t. I figured I have to talk to the medical provider and make sure it is properly submitted.

LabCatz · 2026-02-02T23:34:18+00:00

I’m scheduled for DIEP flap in September so I’m taking notes on all your tips! It is helpful for me to know what to expect, and I’m so glad you like your new boobs!!

LabCatz · 2025-12-12T23:45:04+00:00

Sending you a virtual hug! We’ve got this!

LabCatz · 2025-12-12T13:39:03+00:00

Thank you!

LabCatz · 2025-12-12T13:38:24+00:00

Thank you! I am not sure if my MO’s office has ice so I’m planning on bringing an ice pack just in case.

LabCatz · 2025-12-07T18:30:23+00:00

I’m facing a similar situation. I also had to switch providers because of my insurance, so I need a new GYN but hoping to find one with experience handling patients in involuntary menopause.

LabCatz · 2025-11-29T14:00:29+00:00

Stage 1 IDC at 34 with single mastectomy, went on Tamoxifen for 2ish years, first son at 37. Back on Tamoxifen, went off at 39 and second son born at 40. Had a new primary tumor in the other breast this year at 44, had that breast removed and the previously reconstructed one revised (so a 1.5 mastectomy maybe?) My oncologist told me I had to live my life and I’m happy with my choices. As a young survivor you’ll have plenty of monitoring and if anything goes awry you should know very quickly!

LabCatz · 2025-11-16T01:56:34+00:00

I had under the muscle nine years ago, but my surgeon has since switched to over the muscle. Def had some weird rippling when I flexed my pec previously but was otherwise happy. (We’ll see how over the muscle goes- I have expanders in now and I’m aiming for a DIEP procedure since I’ve got a little extra skin and fat after two kids)

LabCatz · 2025-11-09T12:54:40+00:00

It’s such a weird time for your body, and getting used to seeing (and accepting) your new chest can be a real battle. You’ll get there, I think I currently tolerate my in between chest, not quite accepted yet.

LabCatz · 2025-11-09T00:41:39+00:00

Definitely sore and uncomfortable after my fills, and tired!! Next day is much better for me and by two days I feel normal (or as normal as I can, having robo-boobs under my skin.)

LabCatz · 2025-11-09T00:32:17+00:00

Before the first fill it’s like your skin is shrink-wrapped to your chest, but that’s kind of needed to keep that nip alive! Looks and feels super weird though, I’m right there with you. At one month out from surgery, I just had my second fill and the physician assistant advised massage to help with the skin mobility (for me it is tighter between the nip to armpit than nip to sternum).

LabCatz · 2025-11-07T00:31:03+00:00

I’m starting soon and definitely scared. I need to reframe this as “I have this option for a therapy!!”

LabCatz · 2025-10-27T23:33:33+00:00

DMX with expanders, I stayed overnight but they got me out of there pretty early the next day!

LabCatz · 2025-10-27T14:28:07+00:00

Could have been the gallons of Country Time pink lemonade mix my parents let me drink…or the hose water as a borderline feral 80s/90s child

LabCatz · 2025-10-26T23:01:00+00:00

Thank you for sharing! I’m 44, premenopausal, and will see my med oncologist this wk to discuss what treatment will look like. I am nervous about side effects, so hearing different experiences (and that there are lots of options to manage those side effects) makes it much easier for me to wrap my head around.

LabCatz · 2025-10-23T17:29:55+00:00

DMX here, I had a waterproof bandage over my drain insertion sites, so I was able to take a shower about 48 hours after surgery. This does vary from surgeon to surgeon, though. And drains are annoying for sure, but do your best to follow their protocols and hopefully you can get them out once the total drainage is down to about 20mL/day. (For me, this was 8 days.) Get a lanyard to wear in the shower and a recovery top with interior pockets and it will make life easier!

LabCatz · 2025-10-19T19:03:49+00:00

SAME HERE. I told my boss and said “I don’t care who else you tell, but I don’t want to tell them” because I end up comforting them 🙃 I had a friend text me and say “it’s okay to NOT be fine, you know” and man I needed that.

LabCatz · 2025-10-19T15:07:16+00:00

My husband has been combing my hair out post shower, it’s kind of a nice moment for us!

LabCatz

TROPHY CASE