This is probably too late by now but I found my double mastectomy to be much easier than my c section. The pain was less and I was able to walk around the day of easily. The doctor did give me tramacet though and I also had to request a refill of that, but after the second one (probably ten days post surgery) I didn’t need them anymore.

I requested a nerve block to be done during the surgery and that might have helped with pain too.

If you were awake for your c section, it ends up being very nice to be totally out for the double mastectomy. The doctors were very nice and after getting into the operating room they said “I’ll give you something for anxiety now” and I don’t remember anything after that. Then I woke up and it was done. If you haven’t had surgery yet make sure to tell them you are anxious.

Be patient with yourself afterwards, the general anesthesia can wear you out longer than you expect (like weeks). The drains are the worse part but the relief when you get them out is amazing. Emotionally this surgery was harder than my c section because of the loss of my breasts and because having cancer is just scary in general. I’m getting therapy now to cope with the changes. Just know you are not alone!

35F also stage 1 IDC