Post Mastectomy Must Haves?

Hi there. Sending you hugs for your journey - we are in this together and stronger together. Knowledge and support is so powerful in all this. I am a survivor and thriver is what I like to say. My diagnosis was stage 1 grade 1 invasive ductal carcinoma. You will want to take your mastectomy pillow with you for the drive home from the hospital. I had double mastectomy with direct to implant with ADM on 6/26/26. I am about 6 1/2 weeks out now. It has gone well for me overall. I did not have a huge amount of pain. I did take the Percoset 5 mg a few days then was able to switch to Tylenol. It is more a tightness across the chest and aching and of course you feel it if you use your arms. Prepping your home is important and having things at hands reach is very helpful so you don't have to reach above shoulder level as that was mentioned. I also purchased a lot of paper plates to use to keep dish use minimal and less dishes to load etc. I also purchased some 2 x 2 and 4 x 4 gauze along with paper tape on Amazon. They come in handy for placing in bra etc for the bra edge and so forth but be careful to follow all surgeon orders for that. Getting in and out of the bed can be challenging - I did not have a recliner so I had to improvise. I used a small padded stool at my bedside to keep me from using my arms when getting in and out of the bed - but please be careful that it does not create a fall hazard for you. My husband has a home office and he was on hand 24/7 for anything I needed. It is important to follow all the activity precautions, and for me very important with the immediate reconstruction to heal properly. Also little tip on the medication bottles - have the lid loosened if you are wanting to be independent in taking your medications - surprisingly, it is hard to remove them, but this gets better. Wishing you all the best and take care.

Really good pillows. Had to sleep sitting up for 2 weeks.

A Wedge pillow in indispensible; as you'll find it difficult, even impossible to sleep in bed for the first week or so.
Also keep in mind while your drains re in, you won't be able to raise yur arms above your head. So, pepare the necessary items, like coffee cups, plates, shampoo pre-surgery. Wishing you a successful OP!

Hi. Wishing you well on your surgery. I had a lumpectomy with lymph node removal. I bought a mastectomy pillow which help me so much. Ride home from hospital with pillow was great. Used it to sleep. Underarm seemed to be the most sensitive. Also used a pain cream underarm and down the upper inside arm. Great relief.
Hang in there. You will get through it and get your arm use again.