Emmylou, that's great news, it must be such a relief! On the bra front...I would suggest a front fastening sports bra, they're very comfortable and don't dig in anywhere. M&S do some great ones. I bought bras before my first op that I ended up never wearing, the sizes were all wrong.
When I had the first op, with a large amount of tissue removed, and just about everything that was left rearranged and resited, I was really worried about how it would look. The only incision was round the areola, and it was only closed with glue, so I could see straight away. At that stage, my breast looked the same size and shape as it did before the operation. I know now that was due to the amount of swelling and seroma. By the time the margin shave was done, which took another chunk, and radiotherapy, I was left with a very significant difference in size.
The NHS prosthetic service provides partial prosthetics which you wear inside your bra to even out the size. They're made from flesh coloured silicone, and fit in ordinary bras, no one can tell you're wearing anything.
Ive now had two breast reductions to the good side, both on the NHS. It depends on where you live, my area (Dorset) is still funding it, other areas are withdrawing funding.
After the reductions I was given a front fastening surgical bra which was very similar to the sports bras, and I was so much more comfortable, I wish I'd had them for the cancer ops. I know some areas tell patients to buy sports bras. They were particularly good for sleeping in, you have a lot of internal stitches which pull unless you keep everything strapped down!
Good luck with the surgery, and I wouldn't worry about the cold, it's got plenty of time to clear up, and they don't worry about sniffles, only that you're not unwell, I think I had a bit of a sniffle each time and they weren't bothered.
