Before or after???

Kezzie,

My hospital gave me one camisole, and I used it until my drains came out.  Then I got cotton tank tops and wore them until 6 months had passed, got fitted for mastectomy bras and prostheses (foobs) and wore them for a little while.  They were not comfortable for long, and I quit wearing them a few months later.  While I know one woman who got fitted for her prosthesis within 4 weeks, I couldn't have done that, because I was in pain for a long time.  My surgeon did serious nerve damage, and it took months of PT and more than a year of desensitizing myself, before I didn't have regular pain.  I know I'm not the norm, but you won't know how you are until after the surgery.  Also you will experience some post-surgical swelling and there may be some weight gain or loss, depending on a number of factors.  Don't be in a rush to get mast bras and foobs,  Let your body tell you when it is time.  I'll be thinking of you and hoping all goes well for you.  As for second-hand button up shirts, it sounds like an excellent idea!

You might benefit from checking our bc sister Barbara's non-profit website, http://breastfree.org.  It has a wealth of information, photographs, and personal stories.

Dawn 

Kezzie, I really obsessed about what I should wear on the way home from the hospital.  (I don't know why I did that.  I never obsess about what I'm wearing any other time.)

Anyway, I had about 3 weeks between my biopsy dx and my mast; and I really was glued to these boards during that time.  I read here that I would need a post-mast camisole, and that my hospital would probably be providing one. It seemed important to me, because I was having a left mast/SNB only and figured I would need to match the right side.  (I don't know why I thought that. I'm only a 34B/36A, and I go around braless at home most of the time.)

Being paranoid, I called my surgeon's office a week before my scheduled mast to make sure they would be providing me with a camisole.  My surgeon's secretary said, "Huh?  A what?"  She had no clue what I was talking about.  "No," she said, finally.  "The hospital doesn't give you a camisole, or a surgery bra, or anything.  You'll have to bring your own."

Great, I thought.  Here I am a week before surgery, needing something that probably will have to be ordered.  "No big deal," the secretary said.  "Just bring a tight sports bra to wear home after your surgery."

Boy, was she wrong.  There was no way I could have donned a sports bra after my surgery.  (I learned that by reading here.)  Heck, I was told not to wear any sort of bra until the surgical site healed.  So, I wore a loose-fitting, button-down shirt.  That worked out well, because I could pin up the hem and stow my JP drains in the makeshift pocket it created.  For more formal occasions (I was retired, so there weren't many), I wore a cotton or silk tank top under a shell/dressy T-shirt, under an unbuttoned jacket.  Think "layers".  Nobody will notice your breasts, or lack thereof.

You are having a bilat, and you are not having recon?  That makes things really simple.  I don't know if your surgeon will send you home with a bandage over your surgical site(s).  Mine didn't.  I had steri-strips (dozens of them) all along the incision, but the big, thick bandage that the surgeon applied in the O.R. was removed the next morning before I left the hospital.  One more reason not to wear a bra or camisole -- I didn't want anything pressed tightly against that incision!

But, just to be sure, you should call your surgeon's office.  It is not a silly question, and you wouldn't be wasting their time.  Your diagnosis was a big deal, and your surgery is a big deal.  Our docs understand that (or, they should).

Hugs....

otter

Kezzie,

I did notice that I had a belly I didn't know I had.  The day after surgery, when I got home I looked down and realized how big I had gotten.  It was great incentive, and after a few months, I got rid of most of it.  There are pictures of some of our scars on Barbara's site and on BC.org, so you can get an idea of what that part might look look like.  Each surgeon has his or her own way of making the incisions.  Mine used a long diagonal cut up to just below the armpit.  Many others use a straight across the middle cut.  I had only about 10 days between discovery and surgery, and while it was a horrible whirlwind, I thought it was easier than worrying about it.  Having had an awful experience with the surgeon, I later wished I had gone for a second opinion.  Live and learn.  Best wishes to you.

Dawn 

I had a binder with velcro that I wore after my BMX. It helped keep down the swelling. I also would recommend the amoena camisole made for post-mastectomy.  the "kangaroo" pockets on th inside hold the drains; tho the wt of two drains one each side required that I pin the tubing into the men's button down shirts. Just like you mentioned.   

I liked the foam breast forms for the few times I went out socially. they inserted into the amoena cami and are very lightweight.     I did not want anything rubbing against my scars. 

American Cancer Society website has a silique product of very lightweight breast forms made with tiny beads.  

I am 9 wks post-op and still not wearing the silicone prostheses.  I have to build up the muscled in my back (the psoas, I think) that are on both sides of the spine between the scapula (shouldler blades)          I went to a PT b/c the permanent prosthetics were making my back hurt in that one spot; between my shoulder blades.     I could not believe the PT's response; "It's like wearing orthotics in your shoes; you have to wear them more and more each day"  I shot the PT a look and told her there is no comparison.   I think she was afraid I'd report her; so she put together some exercises for me to work on my psoas.         And this PT was recommended by the Breast Center!      this was a little bit of an emotional setback for me; just two days ago.  

Kezzie - great idea about goodwill shirts. I recently cleaned out my closet and kept a few button front shirts that I would have tossed to wear during the post op period. I did treat my self to a few zip up sweat shirts/ sweat pants and button front pjs for the first couple of weeks.All bought at target and can be used after recovery. I did ask my surgeon if I needed to buy a mx cami and they said that they provided the velcro front stretch binder that you can pin drains to. I had that the last time too. They are fine but they get a little itchy. As soon as my drains are out, I'm switching to soft camis.

 Re; long hair. Any chance you can get someone to braid it tightly. The ends won't get very dirty and should stay neat. If you think you'll be getting chemo and will lose your hair, cutting it isn't a bad idea, but if not, you may want to reconsider cutting it all off. I bought some dry shampoo to use after surgery, but DH will help me with that. Some ladie got to a salon and have them shampoo it. I think they leaned over the wash basin front ways rather than leaning back. So if there is somenone to help you with dry shampoo or shampooing with a shower extension and then braiding,you may want to consider it.

Best,

Annie

eileen,  I was kind of in your shoes too before my bi-mx.  I had nothing and no money to get things. My surgeon didn't even give me a bra or binder or anything.  Just some gauze covering the incisions.  I didn't need to wear compression.  I had 4 drains that I pinned to a narrow belt around my waist.  I wore sweat pants and big flannel shirts for the first week while I was just laying around the house.  My DH was told by my PS that I should get my arms over my head as soon as possible and wash my own hair.  Some PSs don't want you to do that, so check with yours about range of motion restrictions.  Don't worry too much about getting all the cool stuff.  It sure is nice to have, but you don't absolutely need it right away if your budget doesn't allow.  By the way, my flannels were from a second hand store.  I washed them and didn't have any problems.  Good luck with your surgery and I pray you recover quickly.

Kezzie,

Don't feel silly about asking any questions to the surgeon or the nurse practitioner.  It is their job to answer all your questions.  But it's also good to ask us gals who have been through this surgery.  I had a camisole with very light-weight fiber-fill forms and with pockets for the drain tubes.  It was covered by insurance.  I wore it with loose shirts that button down the front.  After 4 weeks, I got a foam form, partly covered by insurance, that I pinned into my regular bras.  After 3 months, I got a silicone form and 2 mastectomy bras, also partly covered by insurance.  The certified mastectomy bra fitter insisted that I wait 3 months post-op to make sure all the swelling had gone down.

Interesting that you mention hair washing because that is the one thing I really needed help with during the first week after surgery.  Although my husband is a great guy and very supportive, he didn't understand the hair concern.  My sister helped me.  But after a week, I could do it myself.

Good luck to you.  Hope your surgery and recovery go as smoothly as mine did.