Hi Ladies
I am due for a mastectomy on Jan 5th well actually I am losing my reconstruction due to recurrence in skin. So am losing my implant as well. Annoyed not the word. Consultant says I wont be entirely flat but will still need prosthese.
Anyway I would appreciate some advice about what bras to buy, pyjamas, clothes etc for immediate post op please.
Thanks all
Pyjamas that open at the front are best and very soft.
Don’t worry too much about bras at this stage as it’s difficult to swivel and twist into them! Just soft cosy clothes that help you feel nurtured. A clever scarf at the neck can hide a multitude of sins and drape over your lost side.
A soft cushion to support your scar side is very helpful in bed and when you’re sitting around.
My advice is to keep up your exercises diligently as they are really so important. I didn’t do them at the beginning because I was so sore and I do regret that!
Really hope your stay in hospital is straightforward.
I was supposed to have my mx on Jan 4th last year but I got ill and had to postpone it a month until February 4th!
Good luck, Welsh girl x
Hi Ginger,
Welshgirl is right on all counts, pyjamas are the best idea as they will preserve your modesty and are more comfy to wear. As far as bras are concerned you might want to consider a soft front-fastening one to begin with. I have two from Royce that are absolutely brilliant on that score for those days when I really don’t want to be lop-sided. Do keep up with your exercises as they are key to getting your mobility back. They are sore to begin with but it is worth persevering. I am 5 weeks post-op and I’m glad that I did.
Any type of soft cushion is a really good idea as it helps to keep the pressure of the wound. At my hospital we were given a little heart shaped cushion donated by a local charity and it’s flipping marvelous - exactly the right shape!
As far as clothes are concerned - lots of layers, and for the first 2/3 weeks things that you don’t need to pull over your head are really a good idea. I’m managing t-shirts and jumpers now but sometimes need a hand to get them off at bed time! 
I found that soft camisoles were a comfy and warm alternative to bras - M&S do a great range of cotton ones at very low prices.
I hope your operation goes well - let us know how you get on.
Nymeria x
I was really impressed with M&S when I went shopping at the weekend. The range of bras they have for ladies with prostheses is really pretty, and other bras are also really nice. Got a lovely soft cotton one. And they do a pack of bra extenders for a fiver which I suspect will be really useful (I remember having very swollen boobs immediately after babies and they would have been brillant then, so hoping they’ll be just as useful for post-surgery swelling.)
I’m having a lumpectomy (as far as I know) and my consultant suggested that I get a bra the same size as now, but also get bra extenders to allow for swelling. You might want to give your BCN a ring and see what she says, as she’ll know what your consultant usually advises.
I’m hunting out all my big square shawl-style scarves and woolly wraps too, as an alternative to cardigans or jumpers for keeping warm. I think the looseness and drape-y style will be really helpful when I just don’t know what to wear.
The little cushion is an absolute must - I bought a little ‘sausage’ cushion in Tesco for £4, and it has been brilliant - the breast care nurse was giving out little heart shape cushions too, but I didn’t take one as I had my pink sausage!
Front opening pjs, and button up shirts or loose vest tops and cardigans are the easiest for day wear - I couldn’t pull a sweatshirt over my head for a couple of weeks post-op as my arm wouldn’t stretch enough.
I have my proper prosthesis fitting tomorrow, and still haven’t sorted a ‘proper’ bra yet, but have found one that fits remaining breast well (I was very lopsided and big boob came off), so that will get the prosthesis sorted, and I’ll go M&S for fitting later. Actually only worn the cumfie twice, more trouble than it’s worth, and this time of year layers and scarves disguise the missing breast easily.
The bra extenders are a very good idea - I’ve been braless at home because bras are still uncomfortable to wear (I had my mx mid November). M&S also do camisole/vest tops with built in soft cups - they are brilliant, and give an illusion of shape even with no prosthesis in place - so long as you don’t dent the cup!
Good luck, so sorry you’re still coming up against new cr*p.
Sophie xxxxxxxxx
Although… I think most of arm limitation was due to node clearance - so with mx ‘alone’, you may not have the same difficulties with bras/sweatshirts etc… but best to be prepared anyhow.
And stock up on chocolate…