What does one wear to a mastectomy?

jazz3000

I see...After this week's diagnostics, that have left my breast looking twice it's size, with a color that radiates an almost alien like glow, and then, there's these tiny holes you've left behind, that give it a sieve like appearance, you are now wondering if I'd like to, "donate", it to science?

Next Friday you say? Hmmmm??

You'd like all my tumors as well? 

Oh, yes, yes, we've discussed my nodes, but you still haven't told me how many you'd like. Is there some kind of package deal that goes along with node removals? Hmmmm?

I see, I've joined Alice down the Rabbit hole. The room appears very large while the doorway has shrunk and unless I swallow this pill there's no way out. You'd like me to avoid stress and sugar as much as possible? You've got to be kidding! Where's John Edwards when you need him?

 Hmmm? Tell me, just what does one wear to a Mastectomy?

mrsnjband

Jazz,

You definitely have a sense of humor & a way with words!

I would wear something comfortable & a top that opens in the front.  You will probably have at least one drain & it is easier to deal with it.

Keep that sense of humor up & you will do fine. NJ

mags20487

I wore my Fl Gators shirt to the hosp with some comfy shorts but had to put on the standard issue gown as soon as I arrived.  Did not put anything else on til I left the next afternoon and I was still quite nauseated so I just put on my new silky jammies I had just bought and the most comfy underpants I owned.  Definitely need a button front blouse that does not cling to the arm at all...like elastic or a banded sleeve...it will be too tight from the swelling.  I also had SNB on both sides and then ALND on the left and could not move my arms...look like a t-rex.

Maggie

livinglarge

Something comfortable and disposable.  I wore one of my DH shirts since it was big and buttoned down the front.  Had a few mishaps with the drains on the way home from the hospital so it was nice to just toss the shirt when I got home.

Keep up the sense of humor it will help you deal with the insanity. 

SoCalLisa

lliving large said it..a large shirt with the buttons down the front.. and a good sense of humor

sewingnut

I wore some comfy jammie tops that buttoned up the front.  Lifting your arm is not going to be comfortable.  My MX was alot easier than I thought it would be.  I had very little pain, but also had very good drugs  =;0)

exbrnxgrl

I was a huge fan of the post mx camisole with drain management pockets. My health care provider sent me to a boutique and covered the cost. I'm told many insurers will cover this. As to # of lymph nodes, it depends. SNB looks at the sentinel nodes and is biopsied during surgery for cancer, if it is positive, your surgeon will usually move on to axillary node dissection. The number taken at that point depends on the individual. Some have more, some less. I had 2 sentinel nodes removed. One was positive so he moved on to AND which yielded 13 more. Thankfully, that single one was the only positive node. Best to you on this road. Caryn