Preparing for a mastectomy can be difficult. Especially when all you want to do is forget that the procedure is coming. But doing some prep work ahead of time will make the healing process – both physical and emotional — that much easier.

Here are tips that helped me get through my mastectomy, as well as things I wish I had done or known ahead of time. It’s a long article, but it’s meant to prepare you as much as possible. This is especially true for those of us who do surgery as our first step in treatment!

REGARDING CLOTHING…

Post-Surgical Bra

Odds are your hospital will outfit you with some sort of surgical bra when your procedure is done. But after that you’ll want sports bras or a post-surgical bra while you continue healing. These bras have pockets for breast prostheses (or Knitted Knockers) in case you’d like to utilize those. Post-surgical bras also don’t have underwires. This is important because your skin may be numb and you don’t want a stray wire stabbing you. You’ll likely want to consider a front-closing bra, though most post-surgical bras are.

This is the one I chose once I graduated from my surgical bra to a post-surgical bra.

Get Fitted First!

You’ll have to get fitted for one of these bras, and it’s helpful to do this before your surgery. Afterwards, you’ll have to wait several weeks for the swelling to come down to ensure a proper fit. I didn’t know this before my mastectomy, but it all worked out. I just had to live in the surgical bra and sports bras for a few months until I could go for a fitting.

Often your local cancer center or a nearby university cancer center will have an area for bra fittings. If you’re not sure or can’t find one, check with your oncologist or nurse navigator.

Just to Clarify…

You’ll have a surgical bra right after surgery, then a post-surgical bra that still provides some compression while healing. After a few months, or whenever your doctor suggests, you can transition to post-mastectomy bras. These also lack underwires and may have pockets for a prosthesis or Knitted Knocker. But they look more like your average, cute, everyday bras. Soma, AnaOno, and Valiant Lingerie are some great places to shop for post-mastectomy bras!

Recovery Shirt and/or Drain Belt

After surgery you’ll have two to four drains for one to six weeks depending on your healing. I highly recommend getting the HealinComfort mastectomy shirt! I didn’t find out about this shirt until I was preparing for my DIEP flap reconstruction. But I wish I had also had it for my mastectomy! If you’re interested in reading my full review of this shirt, click here.

If you don’t get a shirt with pockets for the drain bulbs, you’ll either want safety pins so you can pin the bulbs to your clothes, or a pouch that can be tied around your waist. Sometimes hospitals or hospital volunteers will give patients these sorts of pouches. But if not, you can pick up an inexpensive, basic tool apron at a hardware store. I’m talking the $5 or less canvas aprons that are just a couple pockets and tie strings.

Wearing my HealinComfort shirt to my surgery follow-up appointments. I LOVE this shirt since it’s easy-open with the Velcro down the middle and the pockets it has for drains on the inside. It’s lightweight and breatheable. And the front-opening means I don’t have to wear a paper gown at doctor appointments.

Loose, Easy Clothing

I recommend a few zip-up hoodies (weather permitting) and pants that are easy to pull up. It’s amazing how many tasks require your pectoral muscles, and you’ll feel the discomfort for a few weeks after surgery. So whether they’re sweats, loose leggings, basketball shorts, etc., just go with something that’s easy to pull up and keep in place.

You won’t be able to lift your elbows above your shoulders for a few weeks, so front-opening shirts are a must!! This is partly why I love the HealinComfort shirt and zip-up hoodies. Flannels are also a good option.

Another good option is getting a couple PJ sets with the button-up fronts and matching pants at a thrift store. Those sets are almost always loose-fitting, they’re cozy, and it’s a less expensive option than buying brand new. Of course, if you want to buy new so you can pick fun designs since you’ll be living in them for a while, go for it.

Socks and Shoes

This is optional, but if you have a lot of slick floors, consider socks with those grippies on the bottom. You’ll get a pair from the hospital and those may do you just fine. But they’re not as cozy as actual socks.

Also, slip-on shoes like Crocs or something similar are perfect! Your reach will be limited for a while, so shoes you can simply slip on rather than tie will save you a lot of discomfort!

SLEEPING ARRANGEMENTS

Recliner

Much to the dismay of side and stomach sleepers, you’ll have to sleep on your back for several weeks after surgery. I found it easiest to sleep in a recliner because the shape prevents me from rolling onto my side in my sleep.

If you have a choice, I recommend an electric recliner so you just have to push a button for it to change positions. After my mastectomy, I had a recliner with a manual lever, and sometimes this was really difficult given how sore my pectoral muscle was! It was also an older recliner with a lever that wasn’t always reliable and I almost got stuck a couple times… It’s a highly unfortunate situation when you have to pee in the middle of the night and are wondering if you’ll have to bail out over the arm of the chair.

Though it may be a little bougie, a lift chair can be super helpful if you’re able to rent or borrow one!

Wedge Pillow

If you don’t own a recliner, or you just prefer your own bed, a wedge pillow or mountain of regular pillows works just as well.

I slept in the recliner for about six weeks, then used the wedge pillow in my bed for another few weeks. I just didn’t use the wedge initially because I didn’t trust myself to not roll onto my side.

A typical surgical drain bulb. You’ll likely have two to four of these after surgery, and some hospitals use a larger version. You can poke a safety pin through the large tab (here with a number 4) in order to pin it to clothes or to a lanyard.

SMALL DETAILS TO HAVE ON-HAND

Lanyard & Safety Pins

You’ll want something to support your drain bulbs when you’re showering. A simple lanyard with a keyring is perfect. Poke the safety pin through the wide plastic ring on the bulbs and clip it to the keyring.

This could also be your main method of holding your drain bulbs without a tool apron or mastectomy shirt. Personally, I didn’t like how “free range” the bulbs were. I preferred to keep the bulbs contained so there was no chance of tugging on the tubes and pulling on the stitches.

Nursing Pads, Gauze, and Tape

I know, the nursing pads sound a little nonsensical, but hear me out. As with the healing process for any major incision, there’s a possibility of blood or other body fluids leaking a bit at the seams. Nothing major, just enough to get your clothes dirty.

Gauze and some sort of medical tape will likely come in handy and are good to have in the home for medical situations anyway. But nursing pads are less likely to bunch, and already have tape on the back of them so they can be stuck to the inside of your surgical bra. Whether you go with the nursing pads or gauze, you’ll at least want one of those options for random leaks or blood spots, which can occur even a couple weeks after surgery.

Stool Softeners

As usual, let’s keep crap real. You’ll have a number of meds given to you before surgery, including but not limited to pain meds and anesthesia. And you’ll likely take a couple heavy pain meds when you get home. All of that can create a backup that can be uncomfortable to fix.

I recommend staying on top of it as soon as you can, taking Senokot or other stool softeners, and making sure you’re getting plenty of fiber and water.

Disposable Wash Cloths and Dry Shampoo

These aren’t a necessity, but they can be darn convenient! Showering after surgery is a song and dance that I was not prepared for! Holy crap did that first one take forever, and it was exhausting… Between being unable to lift my arms or reach, the soreness in the pectoral muscles, and trying to be gentle with the drains, I had a learning curve in figuring out how to shower. My first shower post-surgery, from the time I started getting ready to the time I was dressed again, took two hours… I was ready for a nap after all that.

Some people are ready and able to jump into the shower as soon as they receive their doctor’s approval. I was not one of those people. I waited about a week after surgery because of the soreness. In the meantime, I used dry shampoo and disposable washcloths. Of course, regular soap and washcloths work. But then I have to go over everything twice – once with soap and once just water. With the disposable washcloths, I just had to go over the area once, and I wasn’t worried about whether or not I had enough soap on the cloth.

For The Shower

Once you do start showering, a chair in the shower can be helpful. Again, you might be surprised how tired you are after surgery, and showering may take a while. Even if you don’t use the chair, it may be a comfort knowing it’s there.

I also recommend a detachable showerhead, if that’s available to you. That way you can target different areas to clean without having water spraying directly on your incisions, as well as make showering easier in the chair. One key thing to note, however, is that if your showerhead is above elbow-level, which it almost certainly is, you’ll want to have a spouse or friend pull it down for you before you get in the shower. If you live alone, consider pulling the showerhead down before you leave for the hospital.

These items — gauze, nursing pads, and a roll of tape — have been super helpful in picking up any fluid leaks and saving my clothes!

Tea with Honey

During surgery, you’ll have a tube down your throat for breathing, which can cause a sore throat once you’re awake again. I’m a big fan of Throat Coat by Traditional Medicinals. But any tea with a bit of honey or throat lozenges will help.

Lymphedema Sleeve

If there is a chance you’ll have even one lymph node removed (which is highly likely), you’ll want to get a lymphedema sleeve. I didn’t realize initially that I should have one on-hand for after surgery, so I’m sharing that little tidbit with you. Your arm may be a bit swollen for a while after surgery, which is why getting sized before surgery is a good idea for best fit. You can size yourself, but I saw a physical therapist just for one session to make sure I got a good fitting. She also taught me a couple other tips about treating lymphedema, which was useful.

When it comes to ordering, I recommend this website, which was actually recommended to me by the physical therapist. They have the best prices I’ve found for quality sleeves and other compression garments. I’m a fan of the LympheDivas because they have some really fun designs, but there are several brands you can choose from.

And While We’re Talking Lymphedema…

While we’re on the subject, let me give some other tips on lymphedema for y’all, because I felt like I was not forewarned about a lot of this… Or maybe I was but I was more concerned with the fact I was less than two weeks from diagnosis and about to have an amputation.

Lymphedema is such a toss-up – you may have 16 lymph nodes removed and be fine, or you may have only one removed and have lymphedema symptoms. I had 16 removed and for the most part I don’t have issues with it. Occasionally that arm will be achy or feel swollen. But I’ve learned that putting on a lymphedema sleeve for a day or two will take care of it.

However, it’s good to note that the sleeve works with your muscles to help push fluid through your lymphatic system. That means the sleeve won’t do much for you while you’re asleep and not using that arm. Wear the sleeve during the day as needed, and give your arm a break at night.

Also, it’s always a good idea to wear a sleeve if you’re going to fly in an airplane as the pressure changes can cause lymphedema to flare up. Even if you’re not feeling symptoms before you board, wear one preventatively. Hot weather can also cause a flare, such as with saunas, hot tubs, or just really hot locations. This isn’t to say you can never sit in a hot tub again (because that would suck!), but consider keeping your arm outside the tub as a precaution.

Mastectomy Pillow

Again, it’s possible your hospital will give you a pillow made courtesy of generous volunteers. For my single mastectomy, I was given a heart-shaped pillow at the time of surgery. I could carry it under my arm to help protect my surgery side.

If the hospital doesn’t give you one and you’re able to swing the expense, it’s darn handy, though possibly not essential. (I got a really good and cute one for about $30 on Etsy. That specific shop has since closed or I’d share it with you.) I used mine when sleeping as it gave my chest some cushion from my arms. I also used it in the car to keep the seatbelt off my chest.

And frankly, it can be nice to hold onto in crowded places, like church or craft shows. Not only does it help you feel like you have a protective barrier, but people are more likely to respect your distance if you’re carrying a pillow around in front of you. Especially with the sweatpants, Crocs, and zip-up hoodie, it completes the “I recently had surgery” look, and people will thus give you some space.

Pillows everywhere! Here are my mastectomy pillow, and the heart-shaped pillow that hospital volunteers stitched up for me. The bottom right is a port pillow — a thick fabric pad with velcro on either end so I can strap it over a seatbelt. It helps prevent the seatbelt from rubbing against your port or your mastectomy scar.

Protein and Vitamin C

Studies show that protein and vitamin C can help your body heal faster after surgery. You may want to consider getting some protein shakes, eggs, or your favorite protein, as well as some Vitamin C supplements before surgery.

PACKING FOR THE HOSPITAL

Must Haves

Likely you’ll only have to stay one night, but there are still some items that can be darn helpful for you.

For one thing, be sure to pack a pair of your loose pants, as well as your HealinComfort, flannel, or other open-front shirts. If you’re not wearing a mastectomy shirt that has drain pockets, be sure to take a lanyard or tool apron for the drain bulbs. Also wear your slip-on shoes.

Don’t forget your ID and insurance card. It may also be worth taking a copy of your Living Will or Medical Power of Attorney paperwork if you have that; they’ll ask when you arrive.

Things to Consider

If you have long hair, it can be helpful to put it up in a bun on top of your head. That way you can sleep on it and simply leave it in place until you’re ready to shower and deal with it again. Also note that with your limited arm mobility, it may be hard to reach the top of your head well after surgery. So personally, I’m a big fan of the bun on the head so it was out of my way for a while and I seldom had to deal with it.

Take your mastectomy pillow (or a regular pillow) for the ride home with the seatbelt, but you can leave it in the car until you’re discharged.

Of course, you’ll want your toothbrush and toothpaste. And I also recommend a really long cord for charging your phone – like, 6ft or 10ft.

You may want some sort of entertainment, but don’t feel the need to go overboard. You’ll still be sleepy from the anesthesia, so you may just rest more than anything. I had taken a book, but I couldn’t hold onto it between the IV and the tenderness. A Kindle may work better if you have one. You may also consider an iPod or headphones for podcasts on your phone. Be forewarned you’ll have nurses coming to check on you often and take vitals, so they may scare the crap out of you if you have headphones in.

For Friends and Family

All my recent experience with surgeries has taught me that close friends and family may want to be updated when you’re out of surgery and if it went OK. Obviously this is up to you who you tell and how much detail is given. You’ve got enough going on, so if you don’t want Nosey Neighbor Nancy to know you’re out of surgery then that’s up to you.

However, if you have a spouse, kids, siblings, parents, your pastor, or a couple close friends that you’d like to keep updated, write out a list of names and phone numbers on a small piece of paper to be kept with whoever is taking you to the hospital. You could also start a group chat in Messenger or WhatsApp before you leave for the hospital and you or someone with you can update the group that way.

Here’s an example of a canvas apron and lanyards that would work perfectly. The one lanyard is from Midwest Breast & Aesthetic in Columbus, Ohio, which I highly recommend for reconstructive surgery!

ABOUT RETURNING HOME…

Prepare for T-Rex Arms

Have you seen those memes and jokes with T-Rexes and their tiny arms? That’s pretty much what you’ll be like for a couple weeks. You’ll have a 10-lb weight limit, can’t lift your elbows above your shoulders, and will likely feel better keeping your elbows close to your core.

But that means there are likely a whole lot of things you won’t be able to reach well for a week or two! (And quite possibly longer.) Consider how high your shampoo and body wash are kept. What about the dishes in the kitchen? Did you put your protein shakes in the back corner of the fridge? Do you have a reachy grabby thing at home?

I know you have a lot on your mind and this may seem silly, but you may want to practice this before you go for surgery. Keep your arms low and close to your body and go through the day without lifting your arms or reaching. I suggest a practice run-through because I had been told by my doctors I couldn’t reach and thought “yeah yeah that’s fine,” but was amazed at how much I couldn’t do when I got home!

Consider a Relative Staying With You

Perhaps this isn’t an issue if you have a spouse who will be with you all day. But if not, you may want to ask a friend or relative to stay with you for a week or two to help out. Again, your mobility and weight limit are very restrictive, so this could prove helpful.

If not, have no fear, it just requires a little more prep work ahead of time. I recommend being caught up on laundry, stocked on groceries, and having some super easy meals frozen or ready to go. Also, place whatever dishes, gauzes, toiletries, etc., you’ll need within easy reach.

Whether someone is staying with you or not, consider setting up a base camp, like a recliner in the living room. I had a recliner with an end table beside it with any medications, a bottle of water, and a book or other entertainment all in easy reach.

Depending on whether you have kids in the house, you may want to move any prescriptions (including pain killers) to an easy-open container. As I’ve mentioned, you’ll be amazed at what requires your pectoral muscles! And I was highly dismayed to find out I couldn’t open my prescription bottle on my own. It ended up in a pitiful scene of my teary-eyed self going to wake up my dad from his nap so he could open it for me.

PREPARE MENTALLY

I know, this one’s hard. You’re so focused on everything else going on that this can be easy to forget. But it’s important! A mastectomy is no small matter, especially if you’re still getting over the initial shock of diagnosis.

If at all possible, take some time for yourself before surgery. Get in a couple intense workouts, if that’s your thing, because you won’t be able to do arm exercises for several weeks. Enjoy a bubble bath or go swimming since you won’t be able to submerge your incisions for a while. Take time to journal or meditate just to prepare yourself as much as possible mentally.

If you have the time and resources available, you may also want to do a boudoir photoshoot. You could also have a friend take some pictures of you before treatment begins. You may want these “before” pictures to look back on or to see how far you’ve come.

Whatever it is that will bring you some peace and healing during this time, go for it.

FINAL THOUGHTS

I know I just dumped a TON of information on you!

Also important to remember: don’t be afraid to ask for help! Whether you need a parent or friend to stay with you for a couple days, or you need meals dropped off for your family while you recover, just ask! Usually for something like this, friends and church family are happy to help. Remember how when you were diagnosed some people said “tell us if you need anything?” Take them up on that offer. Odds are they just didn’t know how to be helpful.

There may also be organizations in your area that can help with meal delivery or housecleaning while you’re in treatment. Check with your nurse navigator or hospital’s social worker to see if they can connect you to any resources.

For those of you who prefer a checklist to keep everything organized, I made one for you! Click here for access to a free PDF that contains key points from this article, as well as a space for your own notes.

I hope all of this has been helpful for you! And of course, if you’ve already had a mastectomy, please feel free to leave a comment with any other recommendations!

Pin me!