My Journey Continues - Part 5

February 11, 2025, was the date set for my double mastectomy. In my heart, I was more than ready. I could not wait to remove the breasts that, in my mind, had failed me and brought so much pain.

The surgery itself went smoothly, and I was able to go home the same day. I left the hospital with my chest tightly bandaged and two drains coming out from each side. Mastectomy drains are small tubes with suction bulbs placed near the incision to remove excess blood and fluid that can build up in the chest cavity after breast tissue is removed. By clearing this fluid, they help minimize the risk of infection, reduce swelling, and support proper healing.

However, managing the drains is no small task. They must be emptied, measured, and recorded twice a day, and the tubes need to be “milked” or stripped to prevent clots from forming. The insertion sites must be kept clean and dry, and the bulbs secured to clothing so they do not pull. It’s also important to watch closely for signs of infection, such as fever, redness, or increased pain. It’s tedious and, especially in the first week, it’s best to have someone helping you. I was incredibly lucky to have my husband by my side. He helped me with the drains and carefully logged all the measurements so we could report them back to my doctor.

Because I chose to have reconstructive surgery later, tissue expanders were placed in my chest during the mastectomy. Tissue expanders are temporary implants that are gradually filled with saline over time. Their purpose is to stretch the remaining skin and chest muscle to create space for a permanent implant, allowing for a more natural-looking reconstruction. While they serve an important role, I will be honest—they were not comfortable. The tightness and pressure from the expanders were some of the most uncomfortable parts of my recovery.

Between the expanders and the drains, those first few weeks were challenging. Sleeping was especially difficult, as I could only lie on my back. For someone not used to that position, it took a lot of adjustment.

Drains are typically removed one to three weeks after surgery, depending on fluid output and the type of reconstruction. In most cases, they are taken out once drainage is less than 20–30 mL in a 24-hour period for two consecutive days. In my case, two of the drains were removed after the first week, and the remaining two came out about 10 days later. Having them removed was such a relief. I was finally able to sleep more comfortably and even begin turning onto my side again.

The expanders, however, remained. Each week I went in for saline fills, and with each appointment they felt tighter and more uncomfortable—at least until my body adjusted. The amount of saline added is ultimately the patient’s choice, depending on the desired breast size after reconstruction. I have always been small-chested and did not plan to go much bigger, so we were conservative with the fills. We continued until it was almost time to begin chemotherapy on March 19, 2025. I was told that if I wanted to add more volume later, I could do so after completing chemo.

Physically, I was beginning to feel stronger. Just over a month after my mastectomy, I was preparing for the next phase of my journey—chemotherapy.

This concludes Part 5 of my story. I will continue sharing the rest in the coming weeks.

Meanwhile you can write a comment here or email me directly at  nora@juststylela.com with any questions you may have.

I am sharing this in the hope someone, somewhere can get comfort in learning from my experience and I want to help in any way.

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