Clothing immediately after masectomy?

[seven201]

Hi all. My recently widowed sister is soon to be having a masectomy. She has asked me to help her find out what clothes she can wear immediately after.

She's not having the breast reconstructed (for now at least) but will be given a softie prosthesis. She read something about button down tops being necessary as you can't put stuff over your heard for a while? Presumably vest tops she can step into will be fine. How long do you normally wear a post op bra for (does she need to get this or do the hospital provide them)? We were thinking of some wrap tops but they're generally low cut so probably not ideal. She's 40, 34F ish, short size 10-12 and has primary aged kids so is looking for practicality mainly. She's not a blouse kind of woman (doesn't own an ironing board). She normally lives in t-shirts.

Any top tips? I like making clothes so I could always make her something specific if that's best. Sorry, I've probably over explained! Thank you

Not clothing but a godsend for my mum who had a mastectomy 2019 at age 82 was a small soft pillow/cushion, sort of 1/4 moon shaped that had a strap on it so she could tuck it under her arm.. it kept pressure off the operation side.. With tops, as long as she remembers to put her ‘bad’ arm in first she can then put it over her head then the other arm in and this worked well.
Your sister is lucky to have you thinking of these things now as they do help.

@user1485291191 thank you. I will have a look for a similar cushion. That sounds reassuring that getting tops on may not be as hard as we thought.

The cushion mum had was made by volunteers and the hospital cancer support nurse would probably know how to get one

You can buy the cushions on Etsy, I bought one for a friend having a double mastectomy. They also do dressing gowns with pockets on inside for the drains to be put in. Not sure how helpful they are though x

Friend showed me her scarred new chest (boobfree, no prosthetics) about a week after her double masectomy. She was wearing a shallow collar t-shirt, but not button down. I remember distinctly her pulling the collar down so I could peek inside.

She said the double takes from other women when she went in public places was funny.

Thank you everyone. I could easily add a pocket to a dressing gown, that's a good idea!