Advice with three weeks to go until PBM

Hi there,

To obtain a proper fit, you need to wait for the swelling to go down before you are fitted for a mastectomy bra and prostheses. Your breast surgeon will write you a prescription for these items. The fitter will allow you to try on different forms and you can then decide which ones you like best and feel comfortable with. As for inexpensive forms/alternatives, I will defer this question to Barbara, our resident expert.

You will most likely have two drains, one on each side below where your breasts were. They are not bad at all, just a bit cumbersome at times. I would pin mine to my pj top or if I had company, tuck them into a fanny pack. Mine stayed in for about 10 days each time (I had mast of left breast first and then the following year, prophylactic mast of right breast).

Yes, you should have no trouble bending over after your mastectomies.

As for height, probably shoulder level, although if you are not having any lymph nodes taken out (did I understand that correctly?), your underarms will not be as sore as if you did have them removed.

No abdomen is involved unless you have reconstruction at the same time as your masts (i.e., TRAM, DIEP).

Hope this helps and best wishes to you! If you have any other questions, please just let us know.

Raye

seltzer,

I wish you luck with your upcoming bilateral mastectomy. With no lymph nodes being removed and no radiation, you should heal very quickly. I urge you to check out my non-profit website, BreastFree.org. There's information about what to expect after surgery and suggestions for comfortable breast forms, both silicone and non-silicone, as well as lots of other information and advice. Many women from breastcancer.org contributed their personal stories and photos to BreastFree.org. Some of the non-silicone forms I recommend are inexpensive, like the Amoena Leisure form #126 or the Still You Illusions Breast Replacement. 

Insurance will most likely cover high-quality silicone breast forms and two or three bras, so that should get you started once you're ready for a fitting.

I wasn't quite a big as you before my bilateral mastectomy (I was a 34 large B/small C), but I've enjoyed going even smaller since surgery and I now generally wear a 34A. I do have a pair of larger breast forms that I can wear when an outfit looks better bigger--one of the advantages of having a bilateral with no recon is that you can be any size you want! 

Barbara

Breastfree is a great site!

If you have a recliner at home, you may feel more comfortable sleeping in it for a while. If not, build a nest in your bed with pillows in the back and on the sides of your body. This way you can raise your arms while you are sleeping and pillows support you.

Good luck with your surgery!

Hiya, I was going to say, don't throw anything out too!  Before I was able to wear the final prosthetic, I tried the little foamie ones, but they kept travelling around, so I went without prosthetics, and wore blouses, and a boxy jean jacket on top til I was healed enough to be fitted for my Amoenas.  My mother who is bigger is doing the same thing.  I figured people in public were looking at me not as much as I would have imagined.  And friends and family sure didn't notice/care!  Best of luck Ellen!