Although I will be having a mastectomy sometime in the next couple of months, after chemo has finished, I am beginning to research to try and find out what to expect after surgery. I will also be having lymph nodes checked at the same time as mastectomy.
Any tips or advice would be appreciated please in order to prepare myself and get my head around the procedure.
I am wondering if I should order a few special bras designed for mastectomy, in which case does anyone know of a website that caters for ladies with larger busts. I am usually an F cup, size 38 but I think I might be better to order a slightly larger size as I am worried that the bra will fit across the mastectomy scar and cause soreness.
As I don’t live in Uk I will need to order via the internet.
Hi Peacock, I had a mx in June and second op 8 weeks later to remove lymph nodes. Following the mx I was fine, good pain relief although did have a drain for 7 days. Given exercises to do daily and still continue to do them. I bought 1 bra that was not underwired and 2 post surgery bras ffrom a store called Asdas (£6.00) which are wonderful. If you would like any other info/advice please let me know.
Had my mast 2 weeks ago and know totally where you are coming from. Also had axillary clerance. I went out and got a special bra (I am 34F) but have not used it…and returned to the shop last week. I just stuck to some washed out old M & S minimiser underwireds and they have been fine with my softie wotsit.
I had two drains in which stayed with me for 7 days. Apparently us larger ladies can expect the drains to be in a little longer than the smaller girls. i had no pain whatsoever, I did have a morphine plug in so i could administer pain killer when I needed it, but i hardly touched it and asked them to remove it after about 8 hours. i had some oramorphine for two nights to help me sleep (and it made me feel nice and contented) but other than that I was on paracetemol only (and red wine at on my last two nights on the recommendation of the nurses)!!!
Take in a nice small bag for carrying your drains (something along the size of a ‘little brown bag’) and this will make life easier. i wore pj bottoms and t-shirts with a dressing gown to cover myself. Within two days i had my bra back on and felt a trillion times better for it. You can also bath and shower as long as you keep your wound clear which makes you feel a whole heap better.
Just start moving your arm as soon as you can. i didnt keep to the exercise routine but I could get my arm straight up after about 4 days cos i moved it constantly in all directions. And relax. Read, eat, drink loads of water and sleep as much as you can…you will be fine, I promise you.
Hope this helps you a bit but please yell if i can help further.
You may find Breast Cancer Care’s publication, ‘A confident choice’ helpful to read. It contains information about buying bras and clothing following breast surgery and has a list of specialist bra companies at the back, here’s the link:
thanks to everyone for your help and very useful tips and comments. Without sounding too daft, can I ask what a softie is? I am presuming this is something like a breast that you fit into your bra to give a good appearance?
It is a temp. triangular shaped, cotton covered piece of foam, and they give you a little bag with some more filling if you want to adjust it.
Although it is only temp. it gives you the confidence to feel just like you did before the op.
It weighs next to nothing though - when I got my permanent one, I nearly went back as I thought it was far too heavy - it was just that I had got used to the missing weight on that side.
I can also recommend the Asda bra at £6
Hi Pecock, you will be fine. The softie is a soft replica of what yoou had before op and you get a “permanent” one layer. feels as good as your real boob!!
I had a mastectomy on the 8th September and am 36G. My problem with th softie is that it is so light it keeps riding up so I spend half the day pulling it down! Any tips please - Di
I was told to pin the softie to my bra…and I did for the first couple of times. I am lucky that my hospital has given me quite a few (I’m a bit of a laundry freak so constantly in the washing machine). A tip: when you wash it stafety pin the flap in the back and it keeps its’ shape…tumble drying also helps.
If I was smaller (breast) I would go for a nice seamfree sports bra, as they look really comfie. I think the secret is to get a bra which is high enough in the front so the softie stays in place better. Also I find my shoulder blade is tender on my op side, and I think my bra strap irritates it.
i agree with what’s been said re the op - i had mine with lymph clearance in December 2007 (whoo - a long time back now!!). I’d take ear plugs into hosp!! I didn’t get offered morphine but had the odd codeine in the first day and it was fine. your chest will be a bit numb for a while anyway - my armpit is still numb. i had full movement the day of th eop but it is worth doing the exercises because ‘cording’ can occur - your nerves going into hyperdrive and the stretching exercises help.
i had the chemo and rads after the op… but we all have different plans!
best wishes to all
jen x
i was told underwired bras were a no no but i bought ‘serviceable’ mainly cotton bras and pinned the softie to it - they do ten to make gues appearances otherwise! a more realistic appearance can be gained with them by putting in coins or rice - to give a bit of weight.
the advantage of mastectomy bras is that they are cut slightly higher at the front and have firm front edges - so that when u lean forward and the prostheis falls away form your body the gap is less noticeable. amoena, nicola jane and royce do good ranges but most of the pretty ones stop at D cup…sigh… i am an E. i bought some really pretty ones from Royce recently tho!