My Mastectomy Must Haves PART TWO
Because just one list wasn't enough.
I've gotten such positive feedback from my first must haves list - I'm so happy I could help you guys!
I want to view part one as the list of things you'll absolutely want to have on hand before you have your mastectomy surgery. Part two is a list of things that I found extreeemely helpful. I think my recovery would have been much more challenging without these items. I also used a lot of the items on both lists again when I had my exchange surgery.
At the same time, I know that cancer treatment can result in a huge financial strain. So please understand that if you can only swing one set of these suggestions, go with part one. I promise, you will do just fine with those!
As always, feel free to shoot me an email or DM on Instagram if you have any questions💖
Price: $78.00
AnaOno is a fabulous, female-owned brand that was created by a cancer survivor. Though I'm now over a month out from my double mastectomy, I still wear this robe allll the time. The material is seriously like a cloud - SO soft and comfy! I love that the material isn't so heavy that hot flashes are unbearable. Once I was able to shower, I wore this robe all day long. The drain belt it comes with takes a little time and help to get used to using, but I found it really helpful once I got the swing of it.
If the belt isn't your cup of tea though, it's removable - another reason the $80 you'll spend is well worth it! It's super high quality, so I know I'll be using this for years to come.
So far, I only own this robe, but I've heard such great things about the brand on the whole that I can't wait to order more!
Price: $18.99
I have this bra in 2 colors (beige and black) and 2 sizes (small and medium) that's how much I love it.
Once I got the green light to change out of the post-surgical bra from the hospital, I immediately switched to this bra. It's very comfortable, supportive and easy to put on without assistance.
A weird thing I've learned about life post-mastectomy is that I've personally wanted to sleep in a bra every night. This is the bra I wear to bed every night because it's so comfortable and I also wear it just in my every day life!
For my ladies undergoing reconstruction through expanders, this bra is a fantastic option you'll want to have on hand! Throughout the expansion process, your boobs, well, expand, and the YIANNA bra is great for all those rapid changes. That's why I got two sizes! I will say it runs pretty true to size and I've been using the medium mostly.
Price: $48.99
*Bring to hospital!
My parents got me these as a gift before my surgery and they were game changers. I don’t know how I would have been able to ride in the car without the chest pillow. I used it for the entire first month after surgery, every time I rode in the car, and also used it for my car rides home after getting a fill. It fits right in between your chest and your seatbelt and makes it a lot more bearable to not want to die from every little bump in the road.
I also really liked the underarm pillows and found them most helpful for the first few weeks after surgery. I used them while sitting up in bed because, even though it hurt to move my arms a lot, it hurt even more to not use them. Being able to prop them up with these pillows right under my armpits was a huge help. My pillows are in the Minnie Mouse fabric because Minnie is my girl.
Price: About $20
Yep, I'm recommending another pillow. But hear me out!! I've been using two of these pillows--one on either side--for underarm comfort throughout the day.
Also, the pregnancy pillow that I love oh so much, isn't the most practical to travel with. This pillow is a lot easier to bring on my travels and, as a stomach/side sleeper, an absolute essential.
You can get super cute pillowcases for these at Target or Bed Bath & Beyond.
Lap Desks
Price: About $20
I have two different types of lap desks - one like this and one like this. I found these super helpful once I was able to sit up more and wanted to browse on the internet. The lap desk with a squishy bottom was the most comfortable for me to use for the first few weeks since it sat lower and I didn’t have to raise my arms as much. Once I got my drains out, I felt like I had more mobility and preferred to use the wooden lap desk that sits a bit higher.
Lanyard
Price: Varies (I used one that was in our junk drawer!)
Showering with drains in is a huge pain in the ass - but a lanyard makes it better!
We clipped the drains to the lanyard and I wore it around my neck to give me a bit more mobility and to be able to wash more areas.
I’ve also heard of women who prefer to wear their drains this way all the time. I personally preferred to use the Pink Pockets or AnaOno robe, but this would be a good solution as well!