update and preparing for post surgery

Panic ye not! It does pay to think ahead (after mastectomy I had drains in so definitely useful to have someone to stay for a couple of nights if at all possible?) I was NOT told to wear a bra immediately after but breast nurse will update you on what to expect. You must write down any questions/queries you have. They will not leave you high and dry so talk to them about your worries. You’re entitled to live in a dressing gown and pjs that button up at the front if you want. I didn’t get dressed for 4 days. Prepare your house/bedroom so when you’re home it is pretty much set up for you with access to medication/wipes/drinks/nibbles/phone, tissues/books etc. If you want to venture out only go for a gentle walk when you feel ready and walk on smooth surfaces so you don’t jolt your body.  Have you got neighbours you can confide in and ask them to pick up a few bits plus microwave meals for you?  Do speak to BC Nurses and try and find a cancer group locally so you have contact with others or ask GP surgery if they know of one. Preparation is the key, keep mentally busy and sleep when your body tells you. I really wish you well for your up coming surgery. Keep in touch xxx

Hi Planning welcome to the forum. You are having  a Lumpectomy by the sounds of things, which means that you will have a wound on the breast and maybe under the arm. However, when you are discharged you will be given arm exercises to do and you must do these to ensure full movement in the side that is operated on. Im assuming that lifting  the kettle and a pot can be done with the other arm if thats possible and this should be ok . You will be able to go out and about but not be carrying heavy bags on the operated side. If the people who deliver the shop[ping could bring it in for you and put it on a table maybe you could slowly take your time and put that away. 

I personally bought some soft sports type bras from Asda which can be worn like a s sports bras day and night and they are soft as well . It may be that your own bras may rub or with any swelling may make them too tight. I think it will be ok to wear your jumpers you are just going to need to be careful taking those on and off.   

Not sure if thats offered any reassurance for you ? 

Hi, 

you’ve had some great answers already, but as a retired Occupational Therapist, I can say that it’s perfectly possible to put on/remove jumpers one-handed, you just need to put the affected arm in first and out last, try it out in advance! so as long as nothing is tight, you shouldn’t need to worry about front buttoning clothes. And yes, I totally agree about asking your BCN about bras, I think hospitals differ in their advice. 

But do tell your team your concerns and they may well plan to keep you in hospital a day or so longer just to be sure you’re safe to be home alone. I have a really dodgy back and use a wheely box trolley for supermarket deliveries, the delivery driver usually puts one box on top of another even if they don’t actually help themselves, so I don’t need to bend much to unpack. And then it’s just wheeling the trolley through and unpacking at my leisure, often sitting on a stool and using worktops to help sort the shopping to put away. 

Plan away, and being prepared is very sensible. Help with vacuuming, changing bedding, any other heavy work will be needed for a bit. 

Hugs xxx

Hello, I’m yet to have surgery and like you am planning ahead. I am taking in all the tips given here as well as from the BCU. One piece of advice I was given was that I start practicing using the one arm that will be in use for things for example bathing, making tea dressing etc. As the surgery is on my right breast, it is proving quite a challenge using my left hand but I am so glad it was suggested because I’m getting better at it, especially with personal care.

Thank you  I have contacted my local Macmillan Hub and they have referred me to the Buddy scheme so that I might meet up with  fellow "Lumps"

Thank you  Good advice I will be doing the exercises rigorously--My usual activities are weekly class of Tai Chi and Pilates so I want to get back to normal asap.  I am very much right hand dominated so I will take your advice and try using my left more over these next few weeks before surgery--because by sod's law it is the right breast that's affected I did say to the BCN I could use my left hand but she wasn't too enthusiastic as she said it would pull on the chest wall muscle.

Hi planning , lots of lovely replies already but just wanted to pop in to add a little bit - re jumpers, I struggled with these for quite a while after my op. I had a lumpectomy/ wide local excision and sentinel node biopsy. All were accessed via one long incision. The wound was much longer than I’d anticipated (I’d had a lumpectomy many years before, tiny wound, and expected similar.) As it was down the outside of my breast it was very difficult to manoeuvre that arm for a good while, even though I did all the exercises very thoroughly! So I’d just be prepared in case you are the same. So much depends on the size, depth and location of your particular beast. I can only assume that mine was an awkward one! I healed well and got full mobility back but it took time. I was very glad I’d got front opening bras and nightshirts, plus had shirt tops already. 
Glad you’ve been referred for the buddy scheme, sounds good. Love and hugs, HFxx

• Hi Planning, I am 2 weeks on fom a single right sided mastectomy and echo a lot of what has been posted. It is amazing what you can do with your left hand! I was told to use my right arm as usual apart from lifting and restrictions on how high to lift arm, but figured if I was doing the exercises above shoulder height i could do other stuff too. Listen to your body,  you will know what to do, trust me. As someone said, stay in your PJs for as long as you need to. I am putting on normal clothes as long as they are fairly loose and have some stretch. Prepare your house ahead, get some ready meals in the freezer and supplies of painkillers, lucozade and chocolate! 

Thank you 

Went out today to buy some "stretchy"bras already stocked up on Paracetamol--chocolate to get!

Contacted Social services yesterday as I had not heard anything regarding the "assessment of need" that the Gp had requested. Social services said it was not in their remit to provide help and support after hospital admission that was the responsibility of the GP or other health professional. I have e-mailed the GP(my usual mode of communication--saves hanging on being told you are 12th in the queue,) and my BCN so now just waiting for their reply. 

Anyone had care after breast surgery--it is called recovery time after surgery--should be assessed before being discharged to ensure you are safe