Mastectomy pillow - yes or no

Honestly, I spent zero dollars on any commercial products geared toward mastectomy. I used regular pillows, in particular a soft feather one for the car ride home from the hospital, slept in my own bed with extra pillows all around, wore fitted tank tops I could step into and pull up and zip up lightweight hoodies. Used a clean shoelace to string my drains on for showering, a handheld shower head, Press N Seal plastic wrap to cover my bandaging to keep it dry. I pinned my drains to the side seams of my shirt, or wore an inside out hoodie and put the drains in the pockets or front kangaroo pouch. I woke up from surgery in a mastectomy camisole and alternated it with the tank tops so I could wash things and have clean supplies. All of that worked out just fine. When one of my good friends had a mastectomy I did purchase a buckwheat pillow from Bed, Bath & Beyond for about $20 and $5 of fleece fabric and made a little pillow case for it. She loved it, but she was also given some little kidney bean shaped pillows while in the hospital that were good to put under the SNB arm, or between the chest and the seatbelt. Good luck with your surgery - I like your attitude and plan for afterward!

I had a double mastectomy. I did buy button up pajama shirts so they are totally worth it. The pillows I used were just many pillows I already had. It helped to have a few couple of smaller pillows to put under my arms or to help reposition myself. I'm still using a seat belt pillow even though I am 2 months out from surgery.

With the drains, I ended getting a cheap set of drain clips & clipped them to my shirt or waistband. It made them much easier to handle for me.

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Like many who have commented, I did not buy any special pillows or many other specialized post mx products. I did take advantage of some things that my provider prescribed at no cost to me such as camisoles with drain holders and a very soft front closing bra. For the car, I just used a small pillow that I already owned. Being able to rest comfortably is important but the post mx period passes quickly for most so don’t invest a lot of money in specialized items. Take care.

I had someone gift me a pillow with the arm holes and it was a life saver for me. Something about the hugging of the pillow really relieved the pain for me, especially in the car (but I had a 2 hour car ride to get home from the hospital). I also slept in a recliner for probably a month, and slept with that pillow, having it around my body was the only way I could get comfortable!

April,

So glad that everyone’s tips have been useful. There are probably hundreds of post-mastectomy products available but unless money is not important, most are nice but unnecessary. You can often find things around your house that will serve the same purpose. Take care.

I was gifted a mastectomy pillow, a sweet zip-front jacked with inside pockets for drains, and a hip-belt for drains. I bought myself a shower shirt and some extra compression bras.

While I loved having the mastectomy pillow, you absolutely could achieve the same effect with a small blanket folded up or other comfortable-feeling pillow of your own, and it really was only essential in the car, and it was nice-to-have when I felt like I needed a hug or going to bed.

I love the jacket and it will be always be one of my faves, but it was def non-essential.

The hip belt was helpful when I was being active, keeping my drain bags from catching on things, and hiding them from view from my very-sensitive-to-seeing-blood child.

If you like feeling as clean as possible, a shower shirt at least will help you feel HALF clean (your lower half), but I did find that water leaked under the arm bands if I reached over my head, so if you have a detachable shower head, detach it before you get in!

The extra compression bras were essential. Including the three I got from he hospital, I now have six, having picked three out on sale from HERroom. Considering you have to wear them full-time for months, I think it's well-worth the extra expense if you can afford it, so you aren't constantly having to wash one to have a clean one. Pro tip that someone else shared on one of these threads: Ask your nurse or doc at the hospital if you can have an extra compression bra! I asked for an extra and they gave me two extra!

Truly what I found most essential were the shower shirt, hip belt (but any clips that work for you would be fine), and extra compression bras. Your mileage may vary. Best wishes!