Hi,

I had to have a second operation a few weeks after my mastectomy but it was to clear the lymph nodes from my armpit because my surgeon thought he felt something in the first sentinel node. I found out on the day of that operation that the lab had found the node to be cancer free, but the surgery proceeded as an extra precaution.  
I have friends who have had a lumpectomy who have had to return for further surgery to get clear margins, but haven't met anyone who was given that as their reason for more surgery after a mastectomy.  
i can't see any reason for recovery from another operation to be any worse than for your mastectomy, unless it is lymph node clearance that takes a bit longer and is a bit more painful, but nothing unmanageable.

Good luck

Christine xx

Hi rebel,

A very warm welcome to our forum.

I am sorry to hear that you have to face another op next week. With a mastectomy the whole breast is removed, so whether the margins contain cancer cells or not doesn’t usually affect your treatment. Occasionally, if the cancer cells found are in the margin closest to the chest wall, the advice is to remove them. 

Did you need a drain after your mastectomy? I am not a doctor, so cannot tell if you would again, but I doubt it, as this is a lesser operation than the one which you've already had. Your consultant or breast care nurse would be the best people to ask about this and about healing times, as they have all of your medical details to hand. Without these, it would just be guess work. I am sure that any tissue removed this time will be sent to pathology again, just to make absolutely sure that you have clear margins this time.

Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Thank you for your support it really helps, it is just about the margins no more lymph node removal thank goodness that affected my arm a lot last time only just getting nearly proper movement out of it again. Thank you again xxx

Hi I did have a drain after my mastectomy and I affectionately referred to it as Billy Bottle as it came everywhere with me for a week and was really annoying! I know whatever they take this time will be tested again and if the margins are not clear they will do more until clear! Unfortunately my consultant is quite abrupt and just said more surgery is needed. I ring to see if I will need a drain again and they say they will call me back haven't heard anything! Want to know prior to Mondays surgery! Feeling quite sad as I've healed so well from my mastectomy and know I will have to start the healing process again! More recovery, more time before I can go back to my business! Cancer and treatment really is a rollercoaster if a ride and I hate them too thanks for taking time to try to support me, like everything else so far I've got through so sure I will again just feel pretty scared right now! As for the emotional side don't think I will ever accept the new deformed me! Love to you all ladies thanks for your support! Xxx

Morning Rebel

I feel you...Although I didn't have a mastectomy, I had a lumpectomy on 2nd March and was told this week that my margins were not clear, so back in for another op next Thursday.

Like you, I feel like I healed really well and it's difficult to deal with emotionally knowing it has been one step forward and now two steps back. 

I wish you all the best for your surgery on Monday 

Cookie x

Hi Rebel,

I didn't get clear margins after my lumpectomy, but my surgeon assured me that he noticed this at the time and had taken more away, so all was fine. A year later I discovered another lump in the same breast. This was another primary cancer. I then had a double mastectomy. It is better to discover this now and not to find further spread later on. I feel convinced that if I had another operation just after my first, this might never have happened.

Why not leave another message for your breast care nurse and saying that you need to know before Monday's surgery? There is a possibility that they may not know until they see how you react after surgery.

You will get used to the new deformed you, although you may never like it. However, you will come out of this a stronger person!

I shall be thinking of you on Monday and hope that all goes well. We are always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

It is what it is hey, thank you for your support, good luck with your backwards step on Thursday too, wishing you a very speedy recovery too ️‍xxx

Hi can't get them to answer my questions it was the same before my mastectomy! Feel it is what is now, got to do this, and just hope for a speedy recovery yet again! 
As for my new me, I don't think I will ever accept it but I am very strong always have been so it won't break me! Just want to get through this, get the right results for a change then get back to my business before there's nothing left to go back too! 
thank you for your positive outlook I do appreciate it. It's never easy this cancer stuff, just turns everything upside down for however long it decides to keep you hostage! So glad you've recovered and got your life back, we all deserve that!!! Thank you xxx

HI Rebel,

Chances are that they can't really say whether or not you'll need another drain, as it just seems to be the luck of the draw. When you had a speedy recovery last time, you should again.

It is not easy to keep on top of everything. I had my own business too and struggled to keep it going whilst I was undergoing treatment. Do you have anyone who you can rely on to take over when you're not at work?  You will get your life back, but probably have a few more challenging months of treatment to undergo first.

You sound like a strong and positive person. Going through all of this will make you stronger. Here's wishing you the best of luck for Monday and hoping that they get everything this time.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi again, thought I'd let you all know thanks for your support really means so much! Had my 2nd operation margins today, all went well and back home on antibiotics but no drain this time and was so relieved when I realised I'd got away with billie bottle for a second time, just so chuffed! Another 2 week wait for results and warned if my margins are not clear would mean more surgery but hopefully all clear this time, fingers crossed! Will update you when I know but a very positive day considering and such lovely ladies on my ward, trying to make them feel easier about there surgeries, by the time we all got chatting everyone got through there day with smiles and less worry so a big win today for us all! Love to you all, will be back to my rebel ways real soon xxx