(Un) necessary purchases for post mastectomy care?

Good morning Queenie

Thank you for your post. 

Waiting for mastectomy certainly is an anxious time, isn't it? A strange new world. 

I had a single mastectomy, without reconstruction, last April.

The things I found essential were:

1.Wedge pillow to help with sleeping more upright. PS. I'm having a second mastectomy and I definitely plan to sleep in an armchair next time.

2. I bought many post op bras! The ones I found most comfortable were the ones from Sainsbury's.  Soft zip front opening,  crop top style. I found all the others caused discomfort in the early post-op days. I still wear the Sainsbury's ones indoors and to bed.

NB You may have different bra needs, if you're having immediate reconstruction. 

3. I had bilateral surgery and bought two heart shaped cushions, which I propped under my arms. This was really helpful keeping pressure off the wounds. In hindsight I suppose any small and soft cushion can work for this.

4. You may have a drain for some days after your surgery. I found it useful to wear a small cross body bag to store the bottle in, both indoors and out. 

I wish you a successful surgery and peaceful healing. Hugs, Shaka 

Hi there. I'm 5 weeks post a bilateral mastectomy without reconstruction.

I also felt terrified, so sending you lots of hugs. Is worth saying that my experience proved much more manageable than I'd expected...both post surgery pain and psychologically. Please feel free to ask any questions...everyone on this chat is so supported.

I am currently wearing the M&S front fastening post surgery bra (think they are £24, down to £20 with the VAT exemption). I was larger breasted, so these fitted my XL softies better than any others I tried. I was given a bra in the hospital and ordered a few sizes of different ones for post-surgery and just sent anything the wrong size back (as bilateral, I didn't have another breast I needed to match to for size/balance).

I bought a padded seatbelt cover - I only used it for the first 4 weeks, but felt more confident as a passenger and driver with it. 

I was given drain bags and 2 heart shaped pillows by the Macmillian nurse at my hospital. Both were invaluable!

I only used my V pillow for a week or so; I personally found extra pillows better, especially one under my knees to support my back whilst  having to sleep on my back - I'm a committed side sleeper!

Hope that helps.

All the best for your surgery xxx

Thank you so much, that's exactly what I needed. My mum has made loads of cross body bags. She was very upset so it gave her something to distract her. I think I might try soft cushions and buy a "proper" one if they don't work.Best wishes for your second surgery. 

Thank you so much for this. I'm trying to take it one step at a time. It's good to hear your recovery was manageable. That's what I expect/hope. My husband seems to think I'll be in bed for six weeks....

Whilst you many not be in bed for 6 weeks, you will definitely need to be handing over all repetitive household chores such a vacuuming and ironing for a while (happy to back you up if you want to say 2 years... ) 

Hi QueenieM,

I had a double mastectomy without reconstruction just before Christmas. Beforehand I bought an 'M' shaped pillow and a padded seatbelt cushion.

I found I didn't actually use the pillow at night, I propped myself up in bed just using pillows and that was enough (I gave my pillow away to a friend of a friend who did use it for the first few weeks)

The padded seatbelt cushion was for me a godsend. It made me feel much more relaxed when I was in the car so I personally would recommend you got one of those (mine was from Amazon)

The hospital gave me a couple of bags to carry my drains in which made moving around much easier.

I was given some softies from the hospital but bought quite a few recovery bras for myself. The best one I had was from Nicola Jane although I got some from Asda and Amazon as well. They were all from fastening, compression bras. I did find a couple I got pressed in the wrong place and were a little uncomfortable so perhaps just get one or two until you know the extent of your scars (mine are very large as I was a K sized cup before the surgery.)

I just want to let you know that, for me, the whole experience was a hundred times better than I had feared. I too was nervous at the thought of the surgery and fear of the unknown but it has actually been an absolute doddle. I had almost no pain or discomfort and was changing sheets on the bed after about four days - make sure you don't hoover or lift anything for about four weeks. Three days after surgery I stood cooking breakfast for nine people with no issues.

Rest as much as you need to and listen to your body. Just make sure you do ALL of the exercises you have been told to do.

Good luck with everything

xxx

Hiya ,I had mastectomy and DIEP reconstruction last April .Things I couldn't do without were a v-shape pillow and a long handled grabber .I used the v-shape pillow to sleep on my back at night ,but it was also really good when I could sleep on my side cos I put my head at the top of the V ,and could drape my arm over one of the longer sides to give support for my arm .The grabber was an absolute necessity - when you can't lean over or bend down you find you drop more things than usual ! I used it for  everything ,in fact as they are not expensive I had one upstairs and one downstairs. I lost count how many times I would drop my toothbrush so with practise could pick it up with the grabber .I had one of the m&s zip front bras to wear straight after ,but also liked the asda hook front fastening bras that were £16 for 2.i found the asda zip ones came up a bit small,the hook ones were better fit .I was in hospital 6 days due to reconstruction and took nice front fastening pyjamas but ended up just staying in hospital gowns as there were drains and it was just easier. Coming out ,I just put on a roomy zipped hoodie so I didn't have to lift arms to get into a top .

Thank you so much, so good to hear you found it a better experience than you feared. It is really helpful to hear from others who have been through similar. Impressed.with your breakfast cooking skills!

Thanks for this. Good tip about the grabber and I'm now looking at nice hoodies online

Good luck for Monday, I had a single mastectomy without reconstruction in November,  main purchases were  front fastening bras, got two from Asda online which were fine. Front buttoning nighties and blouses, are useful if you are having anxilly clearance as arm movement is limited at first.  Didn't bother with heart shaped pillows but did get a v shaped pillow £9.00 from IKEA which I still use when reading in bed.  Drain bag was essential and I was given one by my BCN.  Use it straight away in the hospital as it makes life easier.   I over packed for hospital,  had one overnight stay.  Didn't get on the ward until after 10pm.  Stayed in hospital gown, didn't use night clothes, dressing gown or slippers.   Used wash bag and wipes.  As I had an axillary clearance I am at risk of lymphoedema so advised to moisturise my arm daily and use protective gloves when washing up,  gardening etc.  If you are at risk they will give you a leaflet about this.  Sending you hugs,  it will be fine, wishing you clear margins xxx