after surgery what special clothing will I need?

BadCatz
BadCatz Member Posts: 5 Member
in Breast Cancer #1

 I am wondering if I will need special bras for the expanders.  What about the drains, how do you keep them in place?  I am so afraid I will not be prepared for when the time comes after the mastectomy. I do not want to come home from the hospital and not have what I need.  Everything is so expensive.  It is scary.

Comments

  • New Flower
    New Flower Member Posts: 4,294
    #2
    Well it is good to be prepared

    Hi

    please do not be afraid you have enough time. You will need loose clothes, button or zipper shirts will be helpful. The average time for drains between 7 to 10 days. Most people recover at home, where you do not need much. Your surgeon will explain how to keep drains in place.

    Look at the what you own now, you might already have everything at home. I also used my husband shorts to pockets. You might want to buy a nice button blouse to go out, because you will recover after your surgery and have a life to enjoy. you might want to buy something one size up or wait and do it after your surgery.

    I did go through all of my clothes and was able to find couple of loose blouses for after mastectomy recovery. I gave away all of my tide tops.

    Good luck and keep is posted.

     

  • JoAnn4818
    JoAnn4818 Member Posts: 83
    #3
    Post Mastectomy

    Hi,

    First - I'm sorry you need to have a mastectomy. You're right, there's so much to think about and you want to be ready. I always feel better when I've got things organized. I had a single mastectomy and I did fine. The nurse in my surgeon's office told me what I needed to wear afterward and I'm sure they'll let you know. Right after the surgery, they had me in a surgical bra to go home in. I wore it for a short time.The nurse gave me a pouch with a very long strap that went around my neck - it was sewn by a volunteer out of plain cotton. I was able to put the drains in there while I showered or changed so they didn't dangle and pull out.

    After I healed a bit they had me in a non-underwire bra. I used one I already had. I was able to put in soft pads until the expander was fuller since it was only on one side.  I also recommend button down shirts. I used tops I already owned. It was hard to lift my arm at first so I couldn't pull things over my head well. I also had a very loose camisole top that I wore a lot. I could pin the drains up in it using large safety pins and put a button down shirt over it and I was all set. The drains will be out in a week or two and you'll be on your way to healing. 

    I wish you all the best. I'll be thinking of you.

    JoAnn

     

     

     

     

  • camul
    camul Member Posts: 2,537
    #4
    New Flower said:

    Well it is good to be prepared

    Hi

    please do not be afraid you have enough time. You will need loose clothes, button or zipper shirts will be helpful. The average time for drains between 7 to 10 days. Most people recover at home, where you do not need much. Your surgeon will explain how to keep drains in place.

    Look at the what you own now, you might already have everything at home. I also used my husband shorts to pockets. You might want to buy a nice button blouse to go out, because you will recover after your surgery and have a life to enjoy. you might want to buy something one size up or wait and do it after your surgery.

    I did go through all of my clothes and was able to find couple of loose blouses for after mastectomy recovery. I gave away all of my tide tops.

    Good luck and keep is posted.

     

    I just wore some loose tops.
    I was not big breasted and they didnt do a fill so I didnt even bother with a bra. Just wore tops that buttoned and loose t shirts. I picked up a package of mens wife beater undershirts that were cotton and soft. The drain wasnt much of an issue I tucked in the unddershirt and it didnt go anywhere and put a blouse over it. I was pretty lucky, I listened to the doctor and started 'walking the wall' the first night. It hurt but I got my arm motion back rather quickly, and tooj the pain meds every 3-4 hrs for the first 2 days and never needed more than Tylenal after that.
    After havin c-sections, hysterectomy, and gall bladder surgeries prior, the masectomy was not so bad. I was really expecting more pain and the drains were not as bad as the gall bladder drains. I was so glad to have the cancer gone.
    I wish you the best.
    Carol
  • disneyfan2008
    disneyfan2008 Member Posts: 6,583 Member
    #5
    I only had 2 lumpecomties but

    I only had 2 lumpecomties but my friends bought me great night gown /short knee but I could step in and out of it...i still wear it...i wore my hubby's shirts (big and baggy) other then that I am not much help...

     

    I am sure you'll get other suggestions.

     

    Denise

  • rebriggs
    rebriggs Member Posts: 2
    #6
    Breast Surgery will be okay!

    After surgery you will wake up with a bra on which opens in the front.  The drain will be attached and hanging down underneath the bra. Not that uncomfortable.

    I had one breast removed and drain put in. I was home for a week in a half and back to work after drain was removed. Just take it easy.

    I do not equate being a woman with breast.. I favor my long legs. lolol.  Just make sure you take the medicene the doc tells you to.  I did not listen and thought they got it all and my cancer metastized to some bones and lesions on my liver. I am now taking chemo pills every other week.

    Stay hopeful and just enjoy each day. We have no choice but to go forward being happy or sad. I laugh alot more!!  lolo

  • CypressCynthia
    CypressCynthia Member Posts: 4,014 Member
    #7
    My sister just had a

    My sister just had a bilateral mastectomy last year and the hospital gave her a drain holder velcro thingie which she said was great.  You might check and see if your hospital supplies you with one.  My other two sisters (all 4 of us have now had mastectomies) and I did not get such a device.  You can buy them now.  There is one at the ACS TLC site: https://www.tlcdirect.org/Post-Surgical-Drain-Belt-with-Pockets.html?did=42.  If not, just tuck the things in your panties and get a roll of surgical tape to reinforce them.

    My sister's surgeon recommended a fairly inexpensive bra.  I will find out what kind - maybe from Sears???   I had a nightie that buttoned all the way up the front that someone gave me.  It really made things easier.

    Don't hesitate to call your local ACS.  They love to help with things like this.  Not sure if Reach to Recovery is up and running in your area, but they helped me a lot after surgery. 

    Good luck and I will write about the bra as soon as I here from my sister.

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