Advice On Preparing/Recovering From Mastectomy

Hi Diane, I had a simple double mastectomy on August 14, no reconstruction, no lymph node dissection.

- I took nothing to hospital as I went home the same day

- wear comfy clothes: pull-on pants and top that opens in front. Have a small pillow to put under seat belt for the ride home

- I had very little pain post op, was on Tylenol 3 for only a day or two after op

- At home I had a wedge pillow to prop up myself in bed (and an extra pillow for under my knees). It was very hard to sit up from a horizontal position at first. Start on a stool softener right away as General anaesthetic can cause constipation. If you have to cook for yourself have some easy food ready to heat up for a few days. Make sure items you will need are in easy reach (counter height). Also I couldn't open meds with child proof caps so plan ahead - ask pharmacy to use easy open lids for any prescriptions you will need. Although you may be okay having one “good” arm

- special items: I had to buy pyjamas with front opening (couldn't lift arms to get tops over my head). One of those “grabber” things would have been helpful for reaching things down from shelves etc. Small pillow to tuck under your armpit for comfort.

- my drains came out on day 6 post MX; you will need to be draining below a certain level for two consecutive days and this can be different for everyone. The drains aren't that big but there is all the tubing as well. I just wore my regular size (but was mostly in pyjamas!) with maybe a loose sweater over top

From what I have read, it seems like reconstruction causes a lot of the complications- I had none and hope you will be the same! I did have quite a lot of swelling around the incisions, and under my arms especially, but it is finally starting to subside after six weeks.

I am in Canada, not sure where you would buy mastectomy items in your area. There are some specialty retail outlets here that carry mastectomy items but so far I haven't bought anything. I wanted to get a camisole with pockets to hold the drains but couldn’t find anything (except online) and I didn't really need it after all. Used big safety pins to attach them to the garment that the hospital provided (like a stretchy “boob tube” with Velcro opening down the front). Ask your doc or call the hospital to find out if they provide something similar, maybe?

Hope this helps, let me know if you have more questions. You will find lots of great info on this site and good support. There is almost always somebody who has “been there, done that” and can give you some insight.

Good luck! When is your surgery date?

Dale xx

Diane500

I noticed you asked about clothing choices and I'm having my dmx in October so I haven't had it yet but I was told by a breast cancer nurse for the top  a button up shirt large enough so that it doesn't rub where the drains and nodes removed are and tug on them.

 I went to the thrift store and got men's button ups in a huge size. I'm planning on using them for loungewear and nearby grocery store runs after I can start wearing my regular shirts again.

 So thrift stores are a suggestion if your just looking for something to wear for the time for recovery actually if you hit the right store  it's also not so bad for some nice dress button up blouses too I would say since you will be swollen for a while go up a one to two sizes just to be comfortable. One size up might even be too small still depends on how sensitive the surgery and drain sites are I think. Also the larger size hides the bulkyness of the drains and bandages when your out and about.

She also told me elastic waistband pants or simple tie pants and a oversized comfortable button or zip up top. Something you don't have to struggle to put on. Since she works all the time with people who go through surgery with and without reconstruction I took her advice for my clothing choices.

Almost eveybody including the nurse has told me about the small pillow for seatbelt so your not in overwhelming pain from the pressure of the belt on your chest. 

Good luck with your surgery! Wishes for a quick full recovery with no issues.

The best piece of advice I can give you is to go to thrift stores and buy either silky or soft flannel button up pajama tops. I found a few flannel sets, so those are great too. You are not going to want any stiff or scratchy material touching your surgical site. I'm not sure if your wound will be covered or not, but mine was not and I was strictly forbidden from wearing anything more constricting than a camisole.

I see you are in MA, so it's going to probably be chilly. Finding second hand long sleeve pajama tops should be really easy.

For drain management I used a simple lanyard and big safety pin. Worked great until my doggo got his head under the drain tube somehow and pulled it out about a half an inch. That hurt. So, be super careful about the hanging tube(s). You do not want to accidentally yank on those.

I also bought a U shaped pregnancy pillow and that is a godsend. Kind of pricey, but it is so comfortable for arm and knee support. I use a low wedge pillow and then put the U shaped giant pillow on top of it and sort of rest my arms on the sides and fold the bottoms under my knees. It creates like a little nest for you to sleep or chill out in. Without it I don't think I could comply with the sleeping on my back orders from PS. I tried to add a pic for you, but I am unable to do so.

Good luck and stay strong!

Good luck,

I had quite a bit of pain from my bilateral. As long as I stayed on top of my meds and ate small meals (peanut butter with toast)it was okay.

In hospital, positive mental attitude, ice chips, phone charger and your own pillow were most helpful.

At home, comfy loose tank tops that you can step into, wedge pillow, CBD cream by Sagely and a ton of water, slip on shoes.