Pajamas, right after surgery - Question on Style

Absolutely. I bought some pj's like that before my surgery and they were great. You won't want to lift your arms above shoulder height for about two weeks after your surgery, even if you can. In theory it helps the lymph system heal a bit.

Button front for sure!!

I also purchased comfy zip up lightweight (depending on where you live) hoodies and pull on yoga pants, or track pants with pockets, for the time period when I was not in bed but still home and not really ready to wear more structured clothes.  I also bought plain tank style shirts and camisoles, with no shelf bra - I stepped into them through the wide neck and pulled them up - did not try to put them on over my head.  Satin PJs are good - help you slide in and out of bed more easily.

satin pj's help you get in/out of bed easier. definitely need button front & easy/off bottoms. kohl's also had inexpensive velour hoodies & bottoms. wore to/from hosital & to post-op dr's appts.

Button tops, larger than normal..it would be nice if there were velcro ones...I bought a velcro post mastecomy top on line and used it in the hospital because they could get to whatever they needed to without a hospital gown. Then I wore shorts with it..I kept it and was just in the hospital getting surgery to have a rod put down my fractured humerus and the nurses loved my top..but there are many styles..Nice and loose for around the house and getting going on exercises too..

I also got an animal print ensemble--leopard!

I went with button down tops and a few satin wraps when I didn't want to wear the pj's. As for when the bandages come off, I had 4 drains, which one stayed in for almost a month so be prepared, but I didn't want to break the bank either so I went to Wal-Mart and found their No Boundaries or Faded Glory tanks with no bra in them incredibly soft and they were about $2 a piece so was able to buy several. Also, be prepared for whatever you wear while the drains are still in to get a slight stain where the drains sit. We used so much of the ointment on the drain sites that it will get on your clothes. AND, this is a big one, find a pouch for your drains. My husband actually made mine, he's such a sweetheart This will keep you a little more comfortable than just having them hang down. I also used a tie on tool belt, like the cloth kind you get from Home Depot or Lowes, while in the shower to hold the drains but you'll need to cut holes in the bottom of the pockets for the water to drain (I learned that from experience). I wish you the best of luck in healing and prayers for you.

What a great conversation! I didn't buy anything special for my unilateral mx; I had my husby and brother here (yeah, believe it or not, they were both fabulous helpers). But for the DIEP recon I splurged and bought a couple of sets of Soma pajamas. Soft, button-front, beautiful prints. I also had a pair of Bedhead pajamas--pricey, but worth every penny. And before your surgery, get a pedicure. Bright red, cheerful, girly.

If your surgeon lets you shower with your drains in, here's a tip--get a length of narrow grosgrain ribbon about 20-30 inches, and tie the ends of it together in a secure knot, so it makes a circle. Before your shower, put it around your neck like a necklace and pin your drain bulbs to it. The ribbon holds them like a pendant and no worries about dropping them.

My best, #1 tip is to KEEP MOVING. Get up and walk. Walk around the house, up and down the stairs, around the block with your mom. I've been a bicyclist for loads of years and put my drain in my sports bra for gentle, easy rides after the mx. Staying active will lift your spirits, prevent post-op complications (don't fall!), and speed your recovery.

BTW, those of you getting mx--instead of throwing out your bras, consider donating them. Every Oct. Rigby & Peller (formerly Intimacy) collects used bras, reconditions them and gives them to homeless and poor women (and women’s shelters). Every bra donated is worth $10 off the purchase of a new one (and yes, they sell mastectomy bras), and the discounts can be combined--their bras are not cheap. They can’t be resold in thrift shops, but charities that have clothing drives will be glad to take them (washed, of course) to give to poor women.

You can also sew pockets into them for mastectomy forms. Or you can save them for after your reconstructions heal, provided you reconstruct to the same size you used to be.

I swapped my drain pouches when showering because what happens when you get out of the shower and get dressed but your pouch is soaking wet? You may want to order a second one. I didn't care for them to be draped around my neck because I didn't want anything that would hang on my chest but that was just me. As for after, I did get a set of prosthetics and it does make you look "complete" when going out of the house but if I am home I take it off and I go out without quite often but so far it's been cold so I usually have a scarf and you can't really tell. So I am now 6 months post-op and my chest has changed a little, enough that one of the bras that I got, which was a more structured one, presses on the middle of my chest so I don't wear it anymore. I mainly stick to the Amoena t-shirt bra, it's very soft and comfortable.