Mammogram appointment - will it hurt? - British Heart Fou...

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Mammogram appointment - will it hurt?

Cornishbeach profile image
9 Replies

I am now 8 months post mitral valve repair via open heart surgery. Everything has healed well but the thought of the mammogram is making me shudder. Anyone out there had one so recently after surgery?

Thank you.

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Cornishbeach profile image
Cornishbeach
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9 Replies
Laguna23 profile image
Laguna23

Morning Cornishbeach

I’m really glad to hear of your progress after your surgery, it’s very encouraging for those of us pre op.

I haven’t been in the situation you are in at the moment, however I was supposed to have a mammogram just after my initial appointment with my cardiologist and asked him if this would affect my mitral valve issue in any way and he said no it’s a very different focus of that ultrasound and they don’t look at your heart muscle during a mammogram. You could also reach out to the nurses who monitor this forum as they can offer medical advice too, or your GP is worth a try perhaps. Do let us know what you are advised and how it goes as I for one will find myself in this position again and it would be really helpful to get feedback.

Take care and lots of good wishes x

Cornishbeach profile image
Cornishbeach in reply toLaguna23

Thanks Laguna23,

I will let you know how I get on! It's the physical 'pressing' that I am worried about as I had a fair bit of breast ache (can't say pain as it was uncomfortable, not painful post op). I think they have been through enough this year 😂

Hello :-)

I think it can all depend how sensitive you as they would hurt me before I had surgery which was just over a year ago and I need to book in now and get this done to

I will tell them what I have had done though and hope they will take it into account

I do know women that have posted had it done and no problem so hopefully that will be you to :-) x

Cornishbeach profile image
Cornishbeach in reply to

Hi Bekind28,

Hopefully will all be OK. It was painful before surgery so I don't think it's going to be easy. However I got through the OHS so should be a walk in the park 😊 I will let you know. Appointment is mid November

in reply toCornishbeach

Hello :-)

Just think it is a few minutes and it will be over and we have been through a lot worse and done it so we can do this :-)

Yes please let me know how you get on :-) x

Heather1957 profile image
Heather1957

I have to admit, rightly or wrongly I missed my first mammogram after my OHS.

I just didn't see how they could twist me around to fit into the equipment without it causing a lot of discomfort.

I have had 1 since and it was fine, maybe a physical exam could be done instead, worth asking.

ParrotLover22 profile image
ParrotLover22

Hello. Yes, I had a Mammogram approx. 9 months after Bypass Surgery and I have to say it wasn't too bad. I have a Pacemaker as well. I asked them to 'go easy' on me lol. I did cancel one before that though because it was far too soon after the Bypass and Anxiety crept in! :)

Tobywestie profile image
Tobywestie

Hi Cornishbeach

I hope that you are recove.ring well and just to comment that in May 2022 I had aortic valve replaced part of aorta replaced and one bypass surgery - now generally all going ok - but like you in Sept 2022 I received a letter to attend for my usual breast screening and when I phoned they did say that I was in no fit state to attend but when I was ready to attend just to call them back to make an appointment - hope you find this useful

Good luck

Cornishbeach profile image
Cornishbeach

Update - sorry its taken so long to do it! All went fine. The nurses couldn't have been kinder and were so gentle. Nothing to worry about!Results were all clear to!

Thank you everyone for your kind words and encouragement

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