The Essentials
This list is based on my personal experience. It's not exhaustive and I'm not a medical professional. Always follow your surgical team's instructions.
Clothing & Comfort
2 minimum zip-front or button-front tops.
1 zip-front top or hoodie with a drain pocket/s.
Soft, wide-waistband pants or shorts, get as many as you can. You will live in these.
Slip-on shoes for every outing.
A zip-front hoodie that's one size too big, even without drains this will come in handy.
Soft bralette or camisole when cleared.
Nothing with underwire. Possibly ever again.
A robe! If you make one nice splurge, make this it.
Comfy under-things. I’m not saying to buy granny panties you hate, but make sure you are comfy.
Bras… lots of bras. You will come home from surgery in a bra your surgeon prefers. Your surgeon may have a second stage bra or other undergarments. After that you will need to wear supportive bras and garments. Below is a list of those I know to be comfortable and I will update this list as often as possible. And… supportive bras can also be comfortable!
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The stuff that applies every Single Time
Bathroom & Hygiene
Stool softeners + gentle laxative (You will thank me).
Dry shampoo, this is a life-saver! Because we have to look good…
Body wipes / no-rinse cleansing cloths, because showering is really difficult at first.
Gentle, fragrance-free everything, soap, lotion, deodorant.
Anti-bacterial soap, for pre-op and to keep the surgical areas clean when you do wash them.
Shower chair or stool, depending on your surgery you may need this for a few weeks.
Handheld shower head, if possible, this makes showing easier and safer.
Extra feminine products, no one tells you this, but heavy bleeding is possible for us lucky girls. Surgery can mess with your cycle. Heavier, earlier, or irregular periods after major surgery are common and nobody mentions it. Pack more than you think you need. Tampons can be difficult to navigate.
Comb, brush, ponytail holders and a headband is really helpful to keep your hair tame while you are in bed for the first week.
Moisture… listen, there is never an excuse, keep the moisturizer going. It feels good to self-care.
If you wear contacts and/or glasses, do not forget (I did).
OK, let’s talk wiping… you know where…. some procedures make this difficult. Diep flap is one of them. Mastectomy was doable. This stage doesn’t last long, but this is one thing you want to be prepared for. Some hospital stays will cover the duration of this stage, but many do not. I will link to some tools that I think help others and I found a helpful video online as well I will link to for wipe-strategy, because we this matters, a lot!
Medical & Home Supplies
Drain management system, lanyard, pins, or drain pouch.
Gauze pads, possibly multiple sizes if you are having a surgery with additional operations sites (diep flap).
Medical tape, paper tape is gentler
Silicone scar strips or sheets (when surgeon clears you)
Thermometer. Fever is a red flag post-surgery. Monitor it. At the sign of anything going wrong, catch it early.
Blood pressure monitor (optional but useful) especially for those at high risk.
Pill organizer is handy to have all your medications, surgery does not usually come with too many medications.
Notepad with pen or app to track meds, drain output, symptoms. You will need to take your drain output all day every day. Keep your tracking sheet in the bathroom or the location you are stripping your drains.
Alcohol swabs, this is imperative to keep everything clean and when you are handling your drains.
Clean sheets and blankets, you want to come home to a sterile environment to stave infection opportunity.
Soap, to wash your hands! Keeping germs at bay is important.
Pillows! Extra pillows to prop yourself up
Sleeping Upright! Wedge, Recliner, Adjustable bed. All are fine options but you will need to sleep upright. Your doctor will tell you how upright. But you need to figure out which option works for you before surgery, not after, when you're drugged and exhausted and trying to stack regular pillows at 3 AM.
Sleeping Upright: Pick Your Setup
You will need to sleep elevated after surgery. Your doctor will tell you the angle. What they won't tell you is which option actually works for your life. Figure this out before surgery, test it, sleep in it for a night, and adjust. You do not want to be solving this problem post-op.
Wedge Pillow — Cheapest option. Works if you only need a mild incline. Downsides: it can slide on your mattress, and if you need a steep angle, you'll need to stack two. Great as a secondary support even if you go with another option.
Recliner — The gold standard for most women. You can adjust the angle easily, the arms give you something to push off when you need to stand up (and you will need help standing), and you can nap in it during the day without committing to the bedroom. If you don't own one, borrow one. If you can't borrow one, buy a cheap one. It's worth it.
Adjustable Bed — The luxury option. If you already have one, you're set. If you don't, this isn't the time to buy one unless you were already considering it. A recliner does the same job for a fraction of the price.
Bottom line: A recliner is the most versatile choice for most people. A wedge is the budget backup. An adjustable bed is great if you've got one. Pick one, test it, and move on.
Real Talk
Nobody tells you this: reconstruction is not always one surgery. It's a process that can span years. Each surgery has a different recovery.
Be patient with yourself, be clear with your surgeon, and don't let anyone minimize what you're going through. You are not alone in this! 💖