I will be having a bilateral Mastectomy and I am thinking about what i may need in regard to clothing/sleepwear, pillows or anything that your readers can suggest to help me and my husband prepare for this 'uncomfortable' period. Can you tell me what 'things' helped you the very most...and even what did not. Thanks ladies
One of your main physical restrictions is going to be lifting your arms above shoulder height, so putting objects you use regularly at counter height will make your life easier when you come home. It may be difficult to find a comfortable sleeping position while you are healing. Some women find they sleep better in a recliner at first (unless you already prefer sleeping on your back.)
Ask your doctor for exercises to help you get your range of motion back. Your doctor may want you to wait a week or two before starting them, but as soon as he gives the OK, do your exercises faithfully. Good luck with your surgery. I found mine to be less difficult than I expected.
Speaking of exercise - INSIST on a referral to physical therapy. PT folks will be the best at showing you what exercises to do, how to do them, when to push, when to give yourself a break. As Phyllis says, you absolutely have to ensure you get your shoulder range of motion back, to prevent all kinds of issues down the road - and you have to get started exercising ASAP after mastectomy (as early as the docs/PT say), so make sure you're set up with a PT appointment prior to surgery. PJ
Hi Phyllis,
Thank you for your advise and tips! They are appreciated! I wish that i had a recliner!
I actually had a breast augmentation less than 2 years ago, and so I know just how uncomfortable I am going to be trying to sleep on my back. Having things left at a good 'height' is good to remember!
I hope that you are doing well. Thank you once again for the tips.
God bless,
Moni
i brought zipper down sweat suit because you won't be raising your arms. You'll get a drain pouch to hold the drains which i wore around my waist and safety pinned it to my shirt or waist band for more stability just so it wouldn't pull on the drains under my expanders. it worked great. you'll do great!
after a couple of weeks they'll start filling you up. that's not a big deal. i did around 550 cc. i was a victorian bra wearer 34DD which is other brands is a D or large C. i wanted to be the same so i could still wear my same bras when all was done. so today i'm wearing my bras which fit great all though i did get use to wearing my sports bras and still do because they are very comfortable also.
Hi Debbie!
Thanks for your post and your tips. I was wondering if the Dr suggests a particular type of sports bra, or if you are kinda on your own with that? AND, if you are, what would be best? Something soft and not so binding? Or does the tighter and more 'secure' type work out better? I remember that any kind of friction from bras or clothing was terrible when i had a breast aug.
I too want to be the same size that i am now. I have only had 'these' for less than 2 years and had to buy all new tops then, i don't wanna do that again! LOL!
Sounds like you are doing well. That is comforting! 
Hey, i wear target store sports bras and they are usually about 14.00 to 20.00 depending if you get it on sale. i also went to dicks sporting store and got thier30.00 sports bra which i got it on sale that one is much stronger than target but target is a lot cheaper. the dr. gives you a bra to wear that has a zipper down the front and i wore that one in the beginning and then went with the other ones but i stepped into them and pulled them up just because they didn't want me to raise my arms until i was ready. when they were filling me up, the dr didn't really know what exact size i would end up in but luckly i ended up the same size just nicer cleavage. the expander is flat at the bottom of the breast and round at the top so i could understand it would be hard to tell. dont freak out when you see that, it will look better once you get the real implants.
i thought it was comfortableand supportive it had velcro on the straps and after washing it they started sticking up. they don't move like real boobs. your new ones will be firmer and they don't bounce much because i just went to the mirror to check that out. remember they will make a shelf (using cow or pig liner)to place the implant in and your chest muscle will cover the top of the implant so they are secure. they feel to the hand almost like your early 20's but to the touch mine are still numb on the bottom half. the top half i can feel so when i get cold goose pimples it feels like i still have nipples. weird..
here's the good thing..your getting the breast cancer taken care of and you get a great cleavage! my surgery went fine and i'm sure yours will also. the drains are a hassle to sleep with..if you don't have a recliner just stack the pillows up in the bed that works great also. they will give you alcohol gauze and i work as a dental assistant so i have plenty of latex gloves. you will probably have the drains for 2 weeks and they will show you and your husband how to do that. talk to you later. deb
Thanks Debbie!
They are using human cadaver (sp) tissue for my recon shelf...ugh...they said that there is not 'rejection' with it. weird. Glad that you like yours! lol!
Ya, i know that the expanders will be harder. I have silicone now and they feel like the real deal! I picture having boobs like barbie for a while! (hard and no nipples!)
Hey! I was a dental asst. too! lol!. (in Orthodontics)
Thanks for the info!
Moni
i've been a dental assistant for years and i still like it but there's no benefits and not eneogh money..but glad i have a job. the reason why i wanted to get in dentistry is because i wore braces and the ladies were so nice to me during the process. i had buck teeth..not a pretty sight! mom waited until i was 16 before i got braces probably to guarentee me not to get a date..ha, ha. my job doesnt offer insurance and i'm so glad that i did get my own insurance! i didn't know that they can use human tissue to rebuild. i'll have to look that up. when you leave the hospital you will have a wrap around you chest to keep things in place. i took the muscles relaxer and other stuff so i was kinda out of it. i look back and it's a blur. i think i'll post my breast on the net in a 3 stage pic. will see. it will be educational to the people that are interested.talk to ya later.
I had my mastectomy on dec 31, 2009, still recovering but doing very well. I also had DCIS, right breast.
You will need individual alcohol pads, to clean the drains
Latex/plastic globes to clean your drains
Medicine for constipation (a big problem after anestesia)
I did hang my drains from one of those convention badge holders. It works perfect bc it does not weight down on your bra
The surgical bra i got at the hospital gave me blisters. I did purchased this from my plastic surgereon and it changed my life. I paid $85, but Amazon has it for $39 here is the link http://www.amazon.com/Surgical-Elastic-Certified-Compression-Garment/dp/B0017VX6F2/ref=pd_sim_a_1
An alarm clock or something to program the time when you have to take your medication. I use my Iphone.
Pull up pans. Confortable, easy to pull up and down. You will not have a lot of stregh on your arms.
Make up remover sheets to watch your face. You will not be able to bend over the sink to wash your face
Wipe ones, to clean yourself those days that you don't feel like showering
Roll on deodorant, so it does not put pressure on your armpits who will have the drains and sentinel node biopsy insition.
shoes, easy to slide on
moisteraiser cream for your breast skin. One that does not have oil or is sticky
an electric tooth brush. you will not have streng in your arms to do the side to side movement.
get your prescriptions filled before going to the hospital. The Dr will give you pain killers, muscle relaxers and anti biotics.
Get a coat that does not require to put your arms through. I used a poncho. Here is a link so you know what i'm talking about. http://www.campmor.com/cascade-ii-poncho-regular.shtml?source=PLA&cm_mmc=PLA-_-Google%20Product%20Listing%20Ads-_-Primary-_-
If i remember something else, i'll leave you a message. Good luch with your surgery. The time before the surgery is worst than after the surgery. Believe me, I almost have a heart attact due to strees and anxiety. After the surgery i was so relief that i felt good. Even better than before.
Dear Sandy!
Ohhh bless you!! This is great information! I really appreciate this..gosh, there are some things here that i never thought of!...and for the websites too!
Wow! Thank you for taking the time and being so helpful!
I am so glad to hear that you are doing better now. It has been 1 week and 2 days since diagnosis and I think I am getting more worked up as time passes in regard to the recovery. Reading about these drains has me freaked out...those, and the pain of course. I hate taking meds too, i don't like that feeling...blahhh!
Thanks once again Sandy.
God bless you!
Moni
I'ts really my pleasure. So many people helped me when i was waiting for my surgery. This is the least i can do.
There is another web site that you should read.. There is more active participation and less people, so you actually get to know everybody there and it makes it more personal. Here is the link: http://nosurrenderbreastcancerhelp.org/
In the forums, you can see my posts. These angles on the site took me by my hand during the surgery and recovery. I was so scared and had so many questions. They were patient, gave me answers and made a difference in my life. Here is the link if you would like to read it; it's the "scheduled for December 31 surgery": http://www.nosurrenderbreastcancersurvivorforum.org/?forum=96651
Wish you all the best.
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Hi - Take a look at our Mastectomy Insider Tips - and be sure to stock up on front-button shirts! Good luck - PJH
Thank you PJ!