What to do after a bi-lateral mastectomy?

Southerncoastie5

I am 26 years old and I am currently a 36D and I am having surgery for a bi-lateral mastectomy. I am opting for reconstruction approx 6 weeks after surgery and I am healed. I am active duty military so I am in uniform every day and I am worried of how my uniforms will look after surgery until the reconstruction process starts. Are there any bras that they make that have I guess you would say built in boobs that I could wear to look a little more normal until I have the reconstruction done?

Mouser

Hi --

I had a left-only mastectomy and no recon, but it's the same principle. At first you need to heal. There are soft camisoles with pockets for "poofies" -- shaped fluff inside a fabric shell -- good enough to pass casual looks, and not hard on the damaged area (because remember, although the scar is a line, the surgical area is the whole breast bed). Once the drains were out i wore the poofy in a leisure bra -- again, soft. No underwire, not much holding power for the real breast (i'm 34D) - but good enough at a time when things were still very sore. After 4-5 weeks i moved to a 'real' bra - but that's when you'll be looking at recon, and they should give you advice ...

Stores that specialize in mastectomy products carry these things -- my onc sent me to the local store before i even had the mx. If you need/want to order on line -- there's a thread further up about prostheses and recon alternatives that may help -- and another one on recon. Both do deal with the interim period, and i'm sure people there would have lots of information you can use!

Try to give yourself time to heal --it's not the most major of surgeries, but it does take something out of you, and taking it easy for 2-3 weeks is a really good idea.