Preparing for mastectomy

I highly recommend reading, then joining, the surgery sisters threads. That was the single most important thing I did back then. You learn all the tricks and tips, and you gain support from folks like you who know exactly what you're going. There are also chemo groups and radiation groups and probably others.

Welcome!

As an example, here is the January surgery group link.

https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/91/topics...

i had a unilateral mastectomy and 8 nodes out in late Dec, but I didn't stay in the hospital so I can't comment on what to have with you there (other than a shirt that's loose and easy to put on for the trip home). I didn't have a recliner to sleep in, so I got a U shaped "pregnancy body pillow and it was great! You can combine it with a couple regular pillows to prop yourself up more, it supports you on every side and really helps with comfort!

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07Z1Q1Z4Y?ref=ppx_pop_m...

I also found a smaller "hugger" pillow to be super useful and comforting, I used it for car rides, sleeping, and just holding as I recovered on the couch, and i got a cute sherpa "decorative" one from Target that was less cumbersome more useful afterwards than a specialized expensive "mastectomy pillow". I was in quite a bit of pain in my armpit from the node removal, but I was surprised at how little pain my actual chest had (I didn't get tissue expanders or reconstruction). I did need opiates on top of advil for pain, but many people don't.

For bathing, I wasn't allowed to get my bamdages wet until my drain was removed, so for my upper body I did washcloth baths with a basin of water and gentle castile soap, and i bathed every day and felt clean the whole time. I got cheap lanyards online and clipped my drain to that while i bathed myself. I had lost my hair from neoadjuvant chemo, so that part was easy for me, but you could also hang your head over the tub and use a shower wand.

I got lanyards and a waist pouch to hold my drain, but I actually preferred just tucking it into the pocket of a hoodie the whole time, or sometimes just into my sweatpants pockets (it was cozy clothes only for my recovery!) Make sure you follow directions to "strip" your drain tube at least twice a day. I didn't use enough pressure to squeeze the fluids out completely (I couldn't use my "bad" hand to help very well) and my line got clogged with coagulated blood and I had to go in to have a nurse fix it.

For everyday tasks, I was fortunate to have a partner who cooked for me and did enough cleaning that I didn't feel totally crazy (lol). You don't want to lift too much even with your "good" side, as it strains the incision and chest muscles. Have easy meal options (no lifting heavy pots and pans). Get smaller containers of beverages (not gallons) and place things at counter height for easy access, so you don't have to reach up high or low. And let yourself rest the first few weeks!! I pushed myself too early and regretted it- even something like vacuuming can set your healing back if your body isn't ready. But DO use your "bad" side as your surgeon recommends- to hold a cup of coffee, wash your face, etc, as not using it at all can cause frozen shoulder ans make recovery harder. Do gentle physical therapy stretches as your Dr allows them.

Good luck!