Mastectomy Recovery Tips?
Hi all! My name is Tori and I’m new to the crew! I am halfway through chemo and will have a double mastectomy this December. I am very much a planner and was wondering if anyone had any tips or item recommendations for surgery recovery!
Hello there! I actually made a blog post about my tips after my own surgery in 2022. Hope it’s helpful!
https://www.mitzistarkweather.com/blog/2022/8/11/mybilateralmastectomy
Don’t buy anything… I have so much stuff and loan it to people for their double mastectomy. It gets pricey and I bought every single thing known a man. Give me a call and we can connect. I am in Overland Park. 816-509-3972.
Do you have a lift chair/ recliner?
Peace Out Cancer will lend you one for your recovery. Search for them on Facebook.
One thing I’d do differently is exercise my shoulders sooner. I developed a frozen shoulder or scar tissue, not sure which. Consult your doctor on the right time to start and some exercises that would hopefully prevent this from happening to you.
i volunteer for them and it helped me aooo much! You don’t know you need it until you are there and so nice
Hi Tori,
Sorry you’re going through this. I’m two years out from my bilateral mastectomy and over 1 1/2 from reconstruction.
Like you, I was a planner. It helped me feel a little more in control.
1) A recliner really made all the difference. I slept in it for about 5 weeks.
2) Comfy pjs that button up in front
3) Slip on shoes or slippers
4) Amazon offers a comfy waist band type item to tuck your drains into
5) Shirts that button up the front
6) Having a handheld shower attachment helps a lot
7) I also bought a little stand for my blow dryer so I could sit in front of it and dry my hair
8) Amazon offers a pillow that you can wear that felt so good to me for weeks
9) I changed my lights out for smart bulbs that I could control from my phone
10) I also used a side table a lot next to my recliner
11) Get your meds filled ahead of surgery, and ask for zofran so nausea won’t be a problem
12) Don’t overdo it during recovery! Follow the post op instructions carefully.
Hope this helps! It’s ok to be scared, sad, or whatever feelings come up. Hugs to you!