Mastectomy Recovery Must Haves – Preparing for the Mastectomy

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Ta-ta to the tatas

I’m not ready to say goodbye yet. F*** the mastectomy!

I hear you. It’s definitely one of the hardest goodbyes.

Boobs. Guys love ’em. Girls love ’em. What’s not to love?! Well for one, sometimes they betray the people we love by trying to kill them. Boobs – these things that many people hold so near and dear to their heart (haha get it) suddenly have got to go.

For Sarah, my wife, the best treatment path forward was to do the full shebang – a bilateral total mastectomy. The approach of the surgery date and when it finally came were the real dealbreakers that made her diagnosis feel the most real and scary. Her oncologist actually recommended that the surgery should happen before chemo starts based on Sarah’s situation. Additionally, the bilateral mastectomy was the best option for Sarah because of the genetic quirk she carried. There was no worth risking the retention of any breast tissue (aka nipple sparing, lumpectomy, single mastectomy, etc.) because of the higher likelihood of breast cancer recurrence. However for you, there are many other options that may be best for your situation.

The very best step to increase the likelihood of a smooth recovery is preparation. There are a handful of items out there for folks in your situation to get for your loved one during this difficult time, and I want to share those with you. But before I do, I just want to directly address you and your situation —

Truth be told as someone that has gone through it as a caregiver, I can tell you that the mastectomy is difficult. The drains, pain management, physical alterations, and all the rest of it were tough for Sarah and me. My heart truly goes out to you in these difficult times. Something I wrote in my journal at one point as an optimistic moment amidst the chaos that I wanted to share was this:

When she came out of surgery, she smiled her smile and laughed her laugh, and I knew that things were going to be okay from that moment. I guess what I’m trying to say is that when you are on the other side, you will still smile and laugh which is a sign of better things to come.

Without further ado, here are the items I recommend that you get for your loved one before a mastectomy (or lumpectomy):

  1. The Post Surgery Recovery Robe by Baby Be Mine and Gownie

This post-mastectomy robe is easily the MVP of all of Sarah’s surgery recovery. The robe is extra big, so it is easy to lounge in. There are a ton of internal pockets for the drains and tubes to go which is soooooo handy and keeps them out of harms way. It is also made from very light, airy fabric, so it was EASY for Sarah to put on and wear right after she came home from the mastectomy. The seller also has many other designs for the same type of robe. Buy earlier than you think because it looks like they’re often out of stock!

 

 

  1. Fold out “breakfast in bed” tray
The upper body movement after a mastectomy can be quite difficult. I was always lightly supporting Sarah’s back to go from laying to sitting up or standing. This fold out tray was perfect for getting her meals and snacks while she was in bed or on the couch. The amount of space isn’t crazy, so I wouldn’t rely on this for a huge meal, but it was so useful those first few days when I wanted to treat her to a snack or meal without her needing to get up.
  1. Post-mastectomy pillow
Sarah literally did not take this pillow off of her any time she was at home for the next 2 weeks after surgery. Her arms fit perfectly through the slots, so it was never difficult to get the pillow to stay where it needed to be. She also slept with it just for the extra comfort. When I asked her, she said the very light and comforting pressure on the surgical site just felt extra secure and comf. Sarah always took her pillow in the car for the post-op appointments too to protect the seatbelt from rubbing on the chest. Also, there is a slot for the phone! What’s not to love?! 
  1. Wedge pillow
Lounging on the couch was pretty much the main event after the mastectomy. Harry Potter and bad reality TV was the medical team prescribed recovery plan. Like I mentioned before, it’s safe to say that normal sitting or laying down is going to be limited for a bit. This wedge pillow was super handy to let Sarah lounge back in a sort of sitting/laying hybrid position that she really liked. It was slightly squishy and slightly firm which is also the right combo. I believe she used it for sleeping too for a couple of weeks to help with not putting strain on the chest.
  1. Post-surgery drain carrying belt and shower holder
This is a must-have as well. The drains after surgery are…well…..everywhere. They are constantly in the way and difficult to manage without help. If you’re reading this and have had any type of surgery before, you know that the first shower after surgery is magical since you usually can’t shower for a day or 2. The mastectomy is no different. Keeping the drains in the little lanyard guy ensures that everything is easy peasy in the shower. Same idea with the belt. Unfortunately, Sarah’s prescribed couch lounging came with the caveat of going for a short walk a couple of times a day. Movement and blood flow to the legs are important, so Sarah put on her trusty belt, and stuck the drains in there to keep them from being a tripping hazard while going for her walks!


I sincerely wish you the best of luck as you navigate this hurdle. I know it is difficult, but you are not alone. Please leave a comment if you have any other suggestions at all!

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