New here, having lumpectomy and reconstruction next week but help with compression socks

I had a hip replacement in 2021 and needed to wear compression socks for a few weeks. I bought an aid called a Rolly which is a continuous tube of ribbed silicon. It worked very well - at the time I had restrictions on how I could position the hip, so reaching and pulling normally wasn’t an option. After my lumpectomy I was back to normal activity the following day so took them off and kept them off. 

Hi IloveLuna, like Coddfish said once you are up and moving around as normal you no longer need the compression stockings. I found I wasn’t allowed to shower until after my dressings has been removed 10-14days later. It wasn’t a problem as I just washed with a flannel. I got my husband to help with hair washing over the sink. You could have a shallow bath but it may be a bit difficult getting in and out if you haven’t got someone to help. 
Wishing you all the best on your journey.

Hugs from cuffcake x x x x x

I would check with your medical team. I had a mastectomy and a lumpectomy. I was in hospital for a couple of nights, and was wearing compression 'inflatable' things but didn't need to wear them once I got home. It may depend on how long you're in hospital. I don't know if it's the Rolly which Coddfish mentions, but my dad did have a contraption - basically a poly bag device - which helped. But you may need someone to help you (if that's possible)? I didn't shower for the first couple of days - I had a stand-up wash with facecloth. Then I showered by standing in the shower and using the shower head in my hand to control what did and didn't get wet.

Cuffcake and Coddfish, thank you so much for your replies.  I really thought I was clued up on most aspects of this but didn't have a clue that there were AIDS to help get compression stockings on.  It's opened up a new world LOL!  I've gone big and ordered an Ezy-on frame - it just looks so easy to get them on with those.   Interesting that you've been told not to shower too Cuffcake.  I think then, I'll stand in the bath and use the hand held shower to go from the waist down and maybe can lean over the bath for husband to wash hair.

Thank you for the best wishes.  I have to say the Breast Clinic at Lincoln Hospital is absolutely brilliant and I feel totally looked after by them.

Thanks Zappa:-)  This has all been so helpful!:-)

I didn’t have waterproof dressings, mine were just dissolvable stitches and steristrips. Ah that’s good if you have a hand held shower, that would work, ours is fixed . I think keeping it dry is important because of risk of infection, but it’s strange that you have been told one thing by one person and something else by another. Perhaps talking to them again might help and explain how they both give different advice 
Hugs from cuffcake x x x x x

The nurses said the consultants always say people can shower but then they end up getting people come in with soggy dressings.   But our main shower is fixed and quite powerful, so I'll not use that one but the one over the bath is very feeble, on a flexible pipe, so I'll use that:-)  I've got a gynie appointment 6 days after surgery so can't go stinking LOL!  I'm wondering if I can tape a bin bag over one shoulder to keep most of the water off.  But I don't want to risk infections!

Hugs back:-)

Hi, I did the half shower approach, put my drains in a plastic carrier bag to keep dry & used shower in hand to wash waist down. Hubby did hair for me over bath. 

I was told not to get dressings & drains wet. I had to wear compression stockings for 24hrs a day for 2 weeks then just at night for a further week. Best check what they want you to do

Best wishes x

Thanks Kitty.  I think that's what I'll do.  I won't have drains, but it might still be the easiest way.  I've just had the results of a ct scan which they did because I'd had a cough for months but it stopped around the time of the scan (within a couple of days) and I realised it had been from irritation from the swimming pool, but they found tiny nodules in the lungs.  They've said these are probably nothing to do with anything but they'll test every six months to make sure they're not growing.  But it's unnerved me a bit.

Ah, I can imagine it has unnerved you, it's good they will be keeping a close eye but difficult not to worry. 

I'm waiting the results of my first 12mthly mammogram on my remaining breast & a little nervous.

Hope it all goes smoothly for you. 

Best wishes x