After the mastectomy

cegill
cegill Member Posts: 1
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I am having a mastectomy next Tuesday. What do I do to fill my bra until I have reconstruction surgery?

Comments

  • dyaneb123
    dyaneb123 Member Posts: 950
    #2
    Hey Cegill
    Well there are all sorts of breast prothesis on line you can buy, but I think most of us just stuff with whatever's around. I saw a thing on t.v. where a plastic surgeon showed how to make a simulated implant by filling a sock with rice. It gives good shape and weight. That's what I use. Good luck with the surgery.
    Dee
  • Christmas Girl
    Christmas Girl Member Posts: 3,682 Member
    #3
    Welcome to the group, cegill
    We're all here to support and encourage each other. Glad to have you.

    My surgery was lumpectomy; so, can't directly address your specific question. However, I'm sure others will. (As Dee already has.)

    Sincerest best wishes to you for your upcoming surgery. Hope all goes well.
  • confused123
    confused123 Member Posts: 251
    #4
    Good luck on Tues. I got a
    Good luck on Tues. I got a mastectomy tank top. There are pads that go in each side so you can use one or both. Also it is easy to take some of the stuffing out if there is too much.
    Also it has velcro pockets to hold the drains.

    Kim
  • Marcia527
    Marcia527 Member Posts: 2,729
    #5
    I think someone on here said
    I think someone on here said they got a free breast form from the ACS. I tried socks and they didn't work too well. Now I just go without and wear sports bras. I never got reconstruction.
  • Kristin N
    Kristin N Member Posts: 1,968 Member
    #6
    Hi Cegill and Welcome! This
    Hi Cegill and Welcome! This site, ACS, can help you with that. Also, most cancer center's have a small store or they can give you names of places to go buy something to use. Ask your oncologist or surgeon. They probably have a list of stores for you.

    Good luck with your surgery!

    Hugs, Kristin
  • susie09
    susie09 Member Posts: 2,930
    #7
    Kristin N said:

    Hi Cegill and Welcome! This
    Hi Cegill and Welcome! This site, ACS, can help you with that. Also, most cancer center's have a small store or they can give you names of places to go buy something to use. Ask your oncologist or surgeon. They probably have a list of stores for you.

    Good luck with your surgery!

    Hugs, Kristin

    Welcome Cegill!
    Just wishing you good luck with your surgery next week!

    Hugs, Susie
  • daystar8
    daystar8 Member Posts: 3
    #8
    bra fillers
    Joann Fabrics or any sewing store will have some very inexpensive pads to fit inside your cup in the notions section that will help. They use them for sundresses or swimsuit pads. Penneys also has a specialty catalog. not sure whether it's available on line. Your surgeon may put in an expander under the skin, depending on the surgery you have. I had a skin sparing mastectomy...kinda like making a jack-o-lantern. The areola was cut off & scooped out the enclosed tissue, and 'drawstringed" it like a pouch. the expander is inside the pouch & is filled periodically with saline until your skin expands. it didn't hurt getting the saline. the skin stretches out & no more wrinkles around the breast bone...perky! I will have the areola tatooed back on soon. Tatoo artists told me to wait about a year to make sure the scar, which isn't bad looking, is fully healed to adhere the pigment or ink.
  • missgogo
    missgogo Member Posts: 58
    #9
    Good Luck Cegill With your
    Good Luck Cegill With your surgery next week. I had a mastectomy last Oct 2008 the surgery was fine. Also remember to do some arm exercise when you can after your surgery check with your doc.
  • stmgriffin
    stmgriffin Member Posts: 25
    #10
    daystar8 said:

    bra fillers
    Joann Fabrics or any sewing store will have some very inexpensive pads to fit inside your cup in the notions section that will help. They use them for sundresses or swimsuit pads. Penneys also has a specialty catalog. not sure whether it's available on line. Your surgeon may put in an expander under the skin, depending on the surgery you have. I had a skin sparing mastectomy...kinda like making a jack-o-lantern. The areola was cut off & scooped out the enclosed tissue, and 'drawstringed" it like a pouch. the expander is inside the pouch & is filled periodically with saline until your skin expands. it didn't hurt getting the saline. the skin stretches out & no more wrinkles around the breast bone...perky! I will have the areola tatooed back on soon. Tatoo artists told me to wait about a year to make sure the scar, which isn't bad looking, is fully healed to adhere the pigment or ink.

    expander
    I have the same kind of expander..I am going for my first saline fill July 23..The Dr. told me it might be sore for about two days after each fill..Was that your experience??
  • Terri5
    Terri5 Member Posts: 24
    #11
    I had reconstruction right
    I had reconstruction right away, but things weren't even and I would add padding to even things out. You probably won't be able to use anything until you heal, but once you do, they sell forms and special bras to hold the forms in place.
  • lories
    lories Member Posts: 2
    #12
    the post-op drain bulbs
    OK, this is truly what I did, but it's gonna make you crack up! I had a double mastectomy and after surgery I decided to stuff my bras with the drain bulbs! You will have these drains after surgery, for a few weeks. At the end of the drain tubing are bulbs that look like the old blood pressure cuff pumps. I'd depress one side to form a half moon shape and put those in my support bra that they make you wear after surgery. Worked like a charm! Of course after you get your drains out, take every one else's advice that posted!! At least while you have the drains you can make some use out of them and get a chuckle at yourself for being so creatively crazy! Good luck with your surgery, you will do great!!!! - Lorie
  • Kristin N
    Kristin N Member Posts: 1,968 Member
    #13
    Christmas Girl said:

    Welcome to the group, cegill
    We're all here to support and encourage each other. Glad to have you.

    My surgery was lumpectomy; so, can't directly address your specific question. However, I'm sure others will. (As Dee already has.)

    Sincerest best wishes to you for your upcoming surgery. Hope all goes well.

    Just want to welcome you to
    Just want to welcome you to the site too! I had a lumpectomy so I can't answer your question, but, many here will.

    Good luck!
  • mlmjt1
    mlmjt1 Member Posts: 537 Member
    #14
    Hi cegil
    I had bilateral mastectomy May 13 with expanders right away. I developed a complication on the right side which was the cancer side and the plaastic surgeon had to remove the expander. I am on my second dose of chemo so wont even mess with the reconstruction until next year. I went to the local medical supplier in town and they checked my insurance which paid for 2 silicone prosthesis at 250.00 apiece plus 2 mastectomy bras with a doctors prescription. Check with your insurance and see. Luck to you Linda T
  • Trisia
    Trisia Member Posts: 10
    #15
    stmgriffin said:

    expander
    I have the same kind of expander..I am going for my first saline fill July 23..The Dr. told me it might be sore for about two days after each fill..Was that your experience??

    My expander experience
    I had a bilateral Mastectomy with immediate reconstruction where they put in the expanders in September, 2008 . I found that some of the fills didn't bother me at all and some were sore like you mentioned for about 2 days. Sometimes toward the end of the day they felt like I had a sunburn??? All in all it was doable and really not too painful. My PS prescribed a muscle relaxer, Skelaxin, for the pain...It seemed to help.
    Trisia

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