Preventive Mastectomy: Preparing for Revision Surgery

Posted November 4, 2024 by Prairie Wife -

In some ways, preparing for my upcoming Revision Surgery has been much easier than preparing for my original Preventive Mastectomy.

I already know I can handle the pain and recovery, and I have the perspective that this is just a tiny part of my life right now…so I can have 10-15 years of not being in pain or worrying about my Breast Cancer risk.

I also have an idea of what I need to be comfortable during my three weeks of recovery, where I will have extremely limited motion, and I have Cowkids that are much older than the first surgery. They understand what is happening and are much more self sufficient.

But I still know this will not be an easy journey!

For this recovery process, I will need many of the same things I needed from the Preventive Mastectomy. But, I admit that as soon as I could get rid of those reminders from my surgery, I did…and the last surgery was almost 9 years ago. I wasn’t going to hang on to items I didn’t need “just in case.” That’s not my style!

Below is a list of what I purchased to be comfortable after surgery and for the three weeks of recovery afterward. Remember that every doctor is different, and it’s usually best to follow their advice and recommendations. When in doubt, call them and check.

1. Zipper Jackets with Inside Pockets: For the first two weeks, I will have wound drains, and in the third week, where I still have limited arm movement, I will be living in these. A zipper top is necessary because I can’t move my arms away from my sides or raise them. The inside pockets work perfectly to hold the wound drains and keep them from being evident if I go out in public.
2. King-Size Pillows: While we do have a recliner in our home, I found that the most comfortable place for me to rest and heal was our bed. I placed a pillow on either side of me and then used two pillows behind my back to prop myself up comfortably. Sleeping on your side or stomach is something you won’t be able to do for several weeks after surgery.
3. Fiber: Anesthesia slows down everything in your body—and that lasts for days! Many pain meds have the same effect. Add to that staying still and resting instead of being up and about to keep things moving, and you have the perfect storm for incredibly uncomfortable constipation. You can take pills to help you get fiber, but I prefer a powder I can add to the smoothies I’ll be drinking.
4. Protein: Research has shown that increasing protein intake before and after major surgery can positively impact healing. You can find natural protein sources (like meat and other protein-filled foods) or use a powder. I add a powder to my morning smoothie to keep things manageable.
5. Green Tea: Green tea has numerous benefits, and I have found that drinking a few cups a day really helps my body recover from surgery.
6. Antibacterial Soap: After my initial surgeries, I couldn’t take showers for two weeks (while my wound drains were in), but this time, the rules have changed. While I must be careful, I can take showers 48 hours after surgery. To help reduce infection risk, I recommend using Antibacterial Body Wash.
7. Simple Bras: For 8 weeks after surgery, you must wear simple, lightweight bras. No underwire and a back clasp are recommended, though later in your healing process, you can put your arms above your head and use pull-on bras instead.
8. Lap Tap Computer and Streaming Service: For the first week after surgery, I will be dozing off and on like a grandma (no insult to all the grandmas out there). Reading a book or even listening to a podcast isn’t going to be something I feel up to. Watching old, familiar TV shows on my laptop while resting in bed is the best thing for me. Then, as I am a bit more awake and aware during the second week (but still keeping as still as possible), I will be catching up on all the shows I’ve been missing.

I also recommend looking at this post that shares what I needed for my first round of surgeries. It has other items like chargers, water bottles, and warm, cozy socks that you may want to ensure you have on hand. I already have these items purchased and ready, so I didn’t include them on this list.

Categories: Preventive Mastectomy, Revision Surgery

Tags: , breast cancer, breast surgery, preparing for revovery, preparing for surgery, preventive mastectomy, revision surgery, surgery