Post Mastectomy Must Haves?

@dolphina3 Hello,

You have such wonderful suggestions.

I am considering a bilateral mastectomy and your suggestions are insightful and thoughtful.

I can imagine there may be stress following a mastectomy . I found the Belle Roth Naperstek MSW FREE You Tube guided imagery to be helpful.

Best

Susan

@smith777
Hello Susan,

I am glad you found something to guide you that helps.
I kept busy with friends and reading.
I was glad when it was all over and I could get back to doing more things. I remained flat and for me it was the right choice. I didn't want any more surgeries. I think when I looked back I was more relieved than stressed. The first few days I was nervous but then got into the needed routine of emtying the drain.
Thinking of you and hoping all goes well for you.

Hugs
Kathy

@okisharon
I checked in around 10:30 and didn’t have surgery until 2pm. Was discharged on the same day around 11pm. I was ok. My sister was discharged the same day too. I think it’s more comfortable to go home and rest. You’ll be ok. Just make sure you have help that night and the first week because you won’t be able to raise your arms. My husband helped with changing the bandages around the drains. I did the milking of the drains myself. Make sure you wash your hands well ( and the one helping you too) when changing bandages around the drains. Don’t touch the wound. Have doctors’ contact numbers when you need to get hold of them quickly. And watch out for fever, most likely you won’t have fever. Once the drains are removed, you will feel a lot better! The recovery time varies from person to person. It took me almost 6 month to feel normal again. Some recover quickly. Some take longer but we will all recover in the end. BTW, I went flat. Wish you all the best.