Hello i was diagnosed with breast cancer a couple of weeks ago and I will be having a single mastectomy in a dew weeks. I wanted to ask anyone who has been through it what it is like sleeping afterwards? I assume I will have to sleep on my back but how long did you have to ? I always sleep on my side and I am not sleeping well at the moment due to coming off hrt and the worry so I am worried I will be knackered. I appreciate this may the least of my worries but it’s what I am focussing on now so would really help to put my mind at rest
Thank you
Hiya, sorry you find yourself here.
I’m due to have single mastectomy and DIEP reconstruction early February and wondered the same thing. Not top of my list of worries but any advice from someone who has been there would be welcome. I just wanted you to know I’m here even though I can’t help yet. Only advice I’ve had so far is lots of pillows…
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Hi @tweety1
Sorry about your diagnosis
When had my mastectomy I had a v shape pillow which helped sleeping on my back also had a drain so was difficult at first
My daughter bought me a heart shaped pillow which was great for under my arm where nodes were removed and also in the car stop seat belt from rubbing
I slept on my back for about a week and until drain came out , then slept opposite side to mastectomy , you will feel tired for first few weeks so will fall asleep , I used to sleep on sofa sometimes
You will find a way to get comfortable and be able to sleep . Good luck with your surgery wish you well Xx
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thank you x
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V shaped pillow highly recommended. Get extra pillowcases for it too.
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Hi! Sorry to hear you are going through this too. I had a single mastectomy without reconstruction on Wednesday and I have been surprised how good I feel afterwards. I have back pain and was also worried about sleeping but my breast care nurse said I could sleep on my unaffected side if it was more comfortable. I switch between my back and side during the night and so far I have had no problems. Good luck! x
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Hi,
I had a single side mastectomy last October. I am a side sleeper so was worried about how I would manage sleeping on my back but I found a V shaped pillow a real help and slept fine on my back with it. I was given a little heart shaped pillow by the hospital (york), they are provided by a local breast friends charity, and this was really useful. It kept my arm away from my wound when in bed and also when just sitting around. Great for keeping the seatbelt off me in the car too.
Good luck xx
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Would definitely recommend a v-shaped pillow. I found it helpful during the day too when sitting up - helped keep me more upright and supported my back. I had a drain fitted that was more uncomfortable than anything else.
Good luck with your surgery xx
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I had a double mastectomy so had to sleep on my back. I bought a long u shaped pregnancy support pillow which stopped me rolling onto my side. I used the heart shaped mastectomy pillows under my arms too. I did this for quite a few weeks until I was well healed.
You could try a natural tea like camomile to help you get to sleep.
You will be sleepy from the anaesthetic and will be naturally tired from the surgery. I slept when I felt I needed to - sometimes in a recliner chair in the afternoons.
I wish you all the best for your surgery x
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I bought a wedged pillow from amazon. It was advertised as a reading pillow. It helped me stay upright.
To be honest youre so tired from surgery that you manage to ger enough sleep in that position. It definitely didnt keep me awake all night.
Youll be fine. Youve got this
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Hello tweety1. I had a single mastectomy in August 2023. I slept on my other side (left) from day one. I used a normal pillow at my left side just for support and only ever used heart shaped pillow in the car. Never had any problems. Wishing you all the very best with your surgery and recovery xx