After undergoing a breast operation or mastectomy many women may be concerned about the feeling process and what everyday life will be like. It is hard to anticipate exactly how someone will feel after going through such an operation but hearing about how other women have successfully navigated those first few days and weeks and getting as much information as possible often helps people feel better about what will happen. One thing that many women who have breast cancer wonder about is what type of bras they will need after their surgery.
Immediately After the Surgery
Depending on which type of surgery you have you will be staying in the hospital for about two to four days. While you are in the hospital you will feel the most comfortable wearing loose fitting clothes that allow the wound to be free of restriction. You will not likely wear a bra while in the hospital, rather you will have a wrap around your breast to protect your wound and prevent infection. Once you go home take it easy and allow your body time to heal. Don’t do any major cleaning or lifting. Let other people take care of you and pamper you until you are feeling better.
Getting a Follow-Up
When you are discharged from the hospital you will need to make a follow-up appointment to see your doctor and discuss any issues or concerns that you have. Your doctor will check the wound and make sure that it is healing properly and ask how you are feeling. They will discuss your current test results and give you information on what you can expect in the future. This would be a good time to talk about your plans for reconstruction or a prosthesis if that is something that you are interested in.
Finding a Good Bra
Women who have mastectomies often get a breast prosthesis to put inside of their bra. These are often called cumfies and they can be worn immediately after the surgery if desired. Some women like wearing the prosthetic while others opt to go ahead with reconstruction and a permanent prosthetic. The artificial breast will slide inside of the bra. There are special breast cancer bras available to purchase that have special pockets to hold the prosthesis in place. These bras make it easier for women to comfortably wear a prosthesis without worrying about it slipping out or changing position.
