Clothes for after Breast Surgery

[Octopus45]

Hi, I'm probably being a bit premature with this, cause I dont know yet whether I will be having a lumpectomy or mastectomy. I've got bc and the lump is very near to my nipple, so I've been told a mastectomy might be the best cosmetic solution.

I'm someone (like many women) who just wants to feel normal when I'm recovering and afterwards, so will be going for the surgery that gives me the best cosmetic outcome. I'm trying to work out what clothes I will need for after the operation, bearing in mind I'm not going to be able to lift my right arm up very much for ages (so I've read). So far ideas I have include shirt dresses, wrap dresses, leggings and a button through blouse all with a long cardigan over, which I have already bought.

For context I'm 48, love bright colours and prints, clothes that are a bit out there. I dye my hair bright colours etc. So far, I've found a shirt dress on ebay that I ordered. Size wise I'm 5ft5 and a size 10 in dresses and tops, occasionally need a 12 for my bottom half. Also, I'm looking to not spend much, unless the clothes end up being things that I can wear afterwards.

Not quite answering your question but get some front fastening bras. I had a lumpectomy and couldn't put a bra on.
It's the discomfort I found an issue, just wore my normal togs

You will need a decent front opening blouse as you will have examinations afterwards so you can undress easily I bought baggy t shirts from c shops as area can get quite dry and creams can run onto your clothes
ESP if you have radiotherapy
Make sure you wash any hospital clothes as many infections in there

Hi, thanks for the advice about front fastening bras, I will sort that out once I know for sure about my surgery. Also, I will probably be having radiotherapy, but maybe not if I end up having a mastectomy.

Sorry you're in the club no-one wants to join.

I tried to circumnavigate radiotherapy by opting for a mastectomy. I still need radiotherapy.

The main difference is that if you do have a mastectomy, you will have a surgical drain in place (or two if it's a bilateral) for a week. This comes out just below your breasts/on your ribs. The cord needs to be lose. For the first week, I wore lose clothing, nothing tight and slept in the front opening bra. This means I couldn't wear anything that tied/wrapped around the waist. But, it's only for the first week. Also, and in both instances, you won't be able to lift your arm above shoulder height for the first few weeks, so you will need to consider washing your hair/how you keep it. (I became a master of doing a one-handed bun). I also figured out how to put a sweatshirt on too without raising my arms!

Also, if you do opt for a mastectomy and it's the NHS who does it, you will be given two free mastectomy bras before your operation. Talk to your breast cancer nurse about this and also Macmillian. The latter are particularly great at sorting this out.

Wishing you all the best

PS. Whichever you opt for, ask to look at pictures of your surgeons work. I knew at the outset that I wanted a flat closure mastectomy. This was all I researched at first and made sure my oncoplastic surgeon understood exactly the outcome I wanted.

Having had lumpectomies previously, they heal well. Also, many breast cancer surgeons can rearrange what's left of the breast tissue so the result it decent. However, if it's close to your nipple, that is harder. Also, be advised that on ultrasound, my lump measured 18mm but when it was removed, it was a smidge over 50mm. It was the size (along with its position close to the chest wall) that made radiotherapy a definite.

Ultimately, do what's best for you and make sure your team understand what you want and how you want to look.

Thanks @doublec , if I do have a mastectomy it will be cause they cannot save the nipple, I've got to have another ultrasound before my appointment on Wednesday, which I'm a bit worried about, but its probably to check if if the lump has increased in size since 29th September. I had read that about not being able to lift my arm, which is why I was thinking about the sort of clothes I could put on. My hair is shoulder length, dont normally wear it up, will be brushing with my left hand I think. Good to know about the free mastectomy bras, I also have a voucher for Bravissimo. Guess I need to practice putting clothes on with my left hand if I do need a mastectomy.

Thanks again and I'm so sorry you are in this horrible club as well.

PPS. After surgery, I couldn't even pull up my own knickers! The nurse had to help me. Also, bathing and showering was difficult. I wouldn't submerge in the bath/get my mastectomy scar wet for six weeks. Again, this will all be explained to you!

Any questions, just drop me a line 😀

If you buy a bra from Bravissimo, tell them about your condition as you will be exempt from paying VAT.

Tbh, I didn't find their offerings particularly great. The (free) ones I have are soft, cotton and really good for the first few months.

You'll be surprised how well you manage with limited movement. It's a lifeskill you didn't know you would learn and a pretty great one to have!

I had a double mastectomy without reconstruction and was able to lift my arms within a week, just not to full capacity.
Front opening is the easiest, but after 6 weeks I was back into my own clothes.
I didn't need radiotherapy in the end, so didn't have that to contend with.

My drains were removed within 24 hours, so you might not even have those to contend with!

Are you having lymph node removal? I had all mine taken.

I had a tumour in a similar place and had a wide excision lumpectomy. Aside from a little bit of scarring and a slightly smaller boob, you'd never know. I bought Primark vest bras. Wore them day and night and they were really comfy. It was about a year before I could wear a bra comfortably. George at Asda do some pretty ones too. I hope you don't have to have a mastectomy. Hopefully it'll be the lesser surgery. Wishing you a speedy recovery

I imagine you will still need radiotherapy. My advice for that is 100% aloe Vera gel spread on immediately after and followed by E45 lotion, not cream. It really did help minimise scarring. You can ask the hospital for cold packs and they can give you cream if you end up with burns (I had a small but very painful one).

I didn't have any problems with my arm but I only had sentinel node removal. It's really important you do the exercises they tell you to do starting the day after surgery. I hated not being able to lift weights for a quite a few weeks but with the exercises, I was back to normal pretty quickly. This obviously is highly dependent on what node removal surgery you have.

Thanks for the advice re radiotherapy. I am expecting to still need it. Agree about the life skill thing being able to work with limited movement. All so daunting.

It hasn't spread to my lymph nodes, so I dont think I will need any removing but who knows

@doublec thanks for the advice re VAT. Did you use wipes and stuff when you couldn't have a bath or shower? Were you able to use deodorant, wear make up? I realise I am sounding really vain.

That's good news!

I was able to shower within a few days

If you're near London have a look at Future Dreams they're a charity based in a beautiful house in Kings Cross, they offer bra and prosthesis fitting as well as a daily schedule of meet ups and workshops. It's a really lovely, uplifting place:

https://futuredreams.org.uk/specialist-bra-lounge/

Me too. It was tough but got through it.

You will be given exercises to do if you have surgery With radiotherapy do not tinker about with creams The staff will give you the stuff depending on your reactions etc

@Octopus45

FYI, mine hadn't spread to my lymph nodes either, so no further surgery needed. Phew. Still need chemo though due to a genetic rarity.

Anyway, re bathing. No shower pressure, so I sat in water that came up to my lower stomach. Sponged the armpit on the surgery side, and dabbed around the dressing holding the drain tube in place. Be advised I was horribly allergic to the adhesive, so now know to ask for a different dressing.

As PP said, exercise are so important. I stuck the sheet in the bathroom and started a good week before surgery to get into the habit.

Yes to deodorant, no to make-up because I don't really wear it, but yes to applying face oils and other beauty products. I'm left handed, so lucky, I wasn't compromised in that way as my surgery was on my right side. But, that is, weirdly, my dominant side, so had to use my other shoulder to carry my bag on. Also, get something to put your drain in should you go that way, althoug often, I just wore it attached to the bracelet on my wrist!

And no, don't be silly, it's not vain at all to worry about this stuff. It's a hard thing to go through without losing who you are. I was surprised by how easily I accepted my mastectomy. I think it's beautiful. No plans for a reconstruction, nor do I plan to wear a prosthetic. It's all about finding yourself in this and not compromising on who you are. When there's a will there's a way and all that!

For the first time in my life, I am positively embracing change that has been thrust upon me. This phase won't be forever, and for me, yes, the next seven months of treatment will be tough, but it's only temporary.

PS. Re. showers, drains etc, everyone is different. The nurses will tell you want pertains to you. My drain came out at day 5. All drains are removed by the seventh day anyway.

I found the walk-in breast clinic nurses were really helpful with anything post-op care/drain related, so feel free to speak to them if you're not sure on anything.

@DresdenDoll thanks for the tip about that specialist place in Kings Cross, at the moment I go up into London to work at least once a week so will look them up.

@doublec thanks for all your tips and advice, as long as I can wash in some shape or form that is ok, on the plus side at least its Winter not Summer so shouldn't feel as sweaty, although I will be starting my antioestrogens next week. Also thanks for the advice about the exercises, like you I will start doing them prior to surgery. I really admire your 'where there's a will there's a way attitude', I'm trying to be like that, but its just all really got to be today. Best of luck with the rest of your treatment, like you say its a temporary thing.

Thanks to all of you ladies for the advice.

@Octopus45 Yes, the fact winter is approaching is great news. I had surgery late August and was so thankful it wasn't a mega hot summer. And now with the weather cooler, and chemo starting, I can hid my lack of hair underneath a soft cashmere balaclava! Have always fancied wearing one, and now I can. (I just would have preferred it without the cancer part!)

The sweats haven't been too bad as yet which was a huge relief as HRT was a saviour in that way. My GO prescribed a light antidepressant which seems to be working well to reduce the flushes and keep my mood balanced. (HRT was also fabulous for that).

Like I said, good luck with everything. Am on the cancer thread on the general health board so will keep an eye out for your updates