Tips for post surgery home care?

I had a left sided mastectomy 5 weeks ago. The time with the drain in was the worst. Just so uncomfortable. Once I got that out it was better. I could not sleep on my left side for some weeks though. I slept best sort up propped well up on pillows. Not flat. I too have dogs that sleep on the bed. They were no big problem, but I did have to be careful they didn't suddenly put a paw or weight on my left side. Good luck. 

also RHS MX in june this year. as above the zonta pillow is a godsend nd the bag for the drain is so good. my drain was in for 3 weeks so i had to get used to it - nicknamed it derek - he came everywhere with me.

we also have a cat. animals are quite amazing at working things out. he never once got caught up in the drain - sleep on yr RHS still, its ok, put the drain bag on the floor - so when you get up to wee just pick the bag up and off you go. he slept on the bottom of the bed and all was fine. all animals are different. 

for showering i used a wreath hnager on the side panel, if you dont have one then on the floor or chair outside is fine.

sleeping - set up everthing on yr side of the bed eg long phone charger, random reading material, crosswords, whatever you like to do, as well as scar cream and water bottles

youve got time. youll sort it out. good luck

Hi there.  I had my single side mastectomy this time last year.  I am a side sleeper too so it was a it tricky when healing but here are a few things that helped me:

• There are special pillows that you most likely will be given after your procedure.  Where I live these are given out by nurses and donated by Zonta.  The pillow fits under your arm and helps greatly.  I used mine on and off for quite a while.  They look like this. https://www.zontadistrict23.org.au/what-we-do/service-projects/zonta-breast-care-cushions/
• There are fabric drain bags you can get that hold the drain. They conceal it. I wore mine under a satin robe that I lived in whilst recovering and my kids were oblivious to the drain.  I was given one at the hospital but my Mum who sees also made one.  https://cancersupportuk.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/CSUK-Drain-Bag-Template-Download.pdf
• This might sound silly to some but I wasn’t ready to deal with looking at my scar etc when showering initially so I had a front zip up swim vest I owned that I used initially when showering.  This was after the drain came out though.   I was in such a shock over the diagnosis and the surgery happened quite quickly so this helped me adjust until I processed it all.  I found it confronting the change to my body but now accept it and am grateful that I was able to have surgery and be here.
• If you or your support network can make and freeze some meals that are easy for you to heat up that should be a great help.

Touch base with your hospital and see if they give out the pillows and drain bags.  If not, you could ask your McGrath nurse if she can organise some for you.

Being a year out from surgery and having finished chemo and radiation, I am feeling really good.  It is a tough time but take one day at a time, rest when you need to and let your loved ones (fur and no fur) support you x

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Dear ang3​ 

It's been 13 years so my memory is a bit vague, but I didn't do much. Your experience will depend on a number of things - the size of your wound (I had lymph nodes removed too), your healing rate, drains, any muscular aches or twinges. I was encouraged to shower while in hospital - I had no problem with the wound (waterproof tape) but the drains were a pain in the neck. When clothed, I put them in my dressing gown pocket in hospital but in the shower they were on the floor and easy to trip over. With any luck, you may not have to go home with them (I didn't have to), but if you do that's one thing to be very careful with. I'm mainly a right side sleeper too and I did not have any problem.

In spite of losing 17 lymph nodes, I had excellent arm mobility from the start. So no problem in using my arm for most normal activity. You may however be told to limit your use to begin with, to help healing, which may mean some help for some tasks (hanging out washing, for one). It's pretty normal to get some twinges as you heal, and after. Scar tissue can occasionally cause mild discomfort, for longer than you might imagine - stretching is usually the best remedy, once your wound has completely healed. 

Discouraging pets from your bed is a hard one - but it's unlikely their presence will cause any problems as long as they are not actually in contact with the wound! Normal hand washing after pet handling should be sufficient, I certainly wasn't warned about anything. 

Bes wishes for your treatment and a rapid recovery.