Fashion Question

In and Out
I think for most of us the surgery was sort of drive thru. You might want to look into a masterctomy camisole. They have a little pocket for your drain (I had two and my cami had two pockets.) It made sleeping much easier because the drains stay in one place. You can find them at Nordstrom or online in a bunch of places including the ACS catalog. I didn't get my drains pulled for nearly 10 days so I was pretty glad to have it. Regular camis work too and I just pinned the drain to the bottom. Otherwise, plan for comfort and make sure it's something big enough that you don't have to raise your arm over your hear to get it one. You won't be able to do that right after surgery.

You won't be able to wear a real bra for a bit but it will depend on how quickly you heal. I had some swelling that made my regular bras uncomfortable and my physical therapis said to stick to the softer sports bras for a while.

Good luck with the surgery - I found that it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.

Button down shirt
Personally, I would recommend a button down shirt to got home in. I had one and was very glad since I had a hard time lifting my right arm for a few weeks because of lymph node removal.

I wore pajamas at home (button down) or sweat pants and a button down shirt.

For me dealing with the drains was my biggest problem. I put one of my husbands long tube socks around my neck like a scarf and pinned the drains to each side. That way they stayed in place and I didn't have to pin them to my shirt. I even wore a sock when I took a shower and then just changed into a dry one when I was done.

I've just started wearing a bra and it's been three weeks since my surgery.

I hope this info helps.

I cannot believe your
I cannot believe your insurance will only cover 23 hrs! There is a new law out that would ban drive through masectomys, Insurance companies would have to pay for 48 hrs. I guess it has not been passed yet. I had 48 hrs in the hospital since I live in the state of Pennsylvania. Wear a buttoned down shirt and sweat pants. You do not want to pull anything over your head, especially with the drains. I wore a sports bra that zippered in the front. If you have an expander put in, you may need this. The bra I got was Hanes, and I got it from Sears. I actually felt better wearing this bra, however, i did not start wearing a bra until a couple weeks later. I wish you luck.....take care.

meena1 said:

I cannot believe your
I cannot believe your insurance will only cover 23 hrs! There is a new law out that would ban drive through masectomys, Insurance companies would have to pay for 48 hrs. I guess it has not been passed yet. I had 48 hrs in the hospital since I live in the state of Pennsylvania. Wear a buttoned down shirt and sweat pants. You do not want to pull anything over your head, especially with the drains. I wore a sports bra that zippered in the front. If you have an expander put in, you may need this. The bra I got was Hanes, and I got it from Sears. I actually felt better wearing this bra, however, i did not start wearing a bra until a couple weeks later. I wish you luck.....take care.

I broke all fashion!!
I wore the hospitial gown home!!! They didn't say a word to me either.. I also used it after I got home to wear around the house..

meena1 said:

I cannot believe your
I cannot believe your insurance will only cover 23 hrs! There is a new law out that would ban drive through masectomys, Insurance companies would have to pay for 48 hrs. I guess it has not been passed yet. I had 48 hrs in the hospital since I live in the state of Pennsylvania. Wear a buttoned down shirt and sweat pants. You do not want to pull anything over your head, especially with the drains. I wore a sports bra that zippered in the front. If you have an expander put in, you may need this. The bra I got was Hanes, and I got it from Sears. I actually felt better wearing this bra, however, i did not start wearing a bra until a couple weeks later. I wish you luck.....take care.

i live in Pa...
Meeba,,,, I also live in PA and was discharged from the hosp. in under 24 hours.. I had my mastectomy in Feb. When did you have yours...

meena1 said:

I cannot believe your
I cannot believe your insurance will only cover 23 hrs! There is a new law out that would ban drive through masectomys, Insurance companies would have to pay for 48 hrs. I guess it has not been passed yet. I had 48 hrs in the hospital since I live in the state of Pennsylvania. Wear a buttoned down shirt and sweat pants. You do not want to pull anything over your head, especially with the drains. I wore a sports bra that zippered in the front. If you have an expander put in, you may need this. The bra I got was Hanes, and I got it from Sears. I actually felt better wearing this bra, however, i did not start wearing a bra until a couple weeks later. I wish you luck.....take care.

I am having hernia surgery
I am having hernia surgery on the 8th, plus some tumors taken out in my left axilla they aren't sure what they are so they want them out, but that will probably be a 23 hour deal also.

My lumpectomy, surgery was a 1:00 pm, I was leaving by 5:00pm that same day. I had very little discomfort, took an extra strength Tylenol.

hi SoCal sister
I'm in the same boat - I have my surgery on the 24th and just went shopping for the post-surgery ensemble. It was an awful experience. I found myself thinking to ask the salespeople - "so what do you have that goes well with a mastectomy?" It is hot here - I'm in San Diego - not sure how south you are. I got, as the others have recommended, some soft loose tanks that I can pull on easily, a light zip up hoodie and some button downs. If you are local I'll tell you all the places I scored so you don't have to do the big search at the malls (ugghh). Sorry you'll be rushed home - hope you have some good supports to help out. We're all here for emotional boosts.
Sheri

Surf
I came home from the
Surf

I came home from the hospital last week after a mastectomy with two drains. I have been wearing my son's or husband's t-shirts because they are big and I don't have to lift my arm very much. I also bought a mastectomy camisole with places for the drains and it also comes with two "cups" that are filled with fiber. The cups are placed in camisole and you can remove some fiber to make them smaller. This was very helpful. I still can not wear a bra, since its too constricting. I am looking at the sports bras though.
Hope everything goes well for you. Many soft hugs. Keep us posted.
Sheryl

Dawne.Hope said:

Surfermom ... I love project
Surfermom ... I love project runway! Best wishes to both you and Sherik on your uncoming surgeries - peace and quick, uneventful recovery!

I don't have any further advice on what to wear but I do have a question. Several have said to wear sports bras. The sports bras I have are tight and six weeks out of a lumpectomy it still hurts to wear them because they squash me. And I know after a masectomy, it is different, but the band would still be incredibly tight on the kind that I have. And I also have to lift up my arms to get them on, which would be tough after a mast. What kind of sports bras are you all recommending? Because maybe I need to get some different ones! Just curious ...

grace and peace,
d.h.

1Surfer mom and Sherik ..
Good luck with upcoming surgeries. I am taking notes on fashion wear - do's - pending mac'tmy first of the year.

Sports bra's - how would one not ripe out drains? Cautious .. Would we purchase bra's a few sizes larger ? Button up tops or zip tops make sense, or very large over sized t-shirts or tanks.

Just thinking out loud - here.

VickiSam