Post Surgery

Hello! I am 2 years now with implants following tissue expanders. At first after surgery, I wore a bra all the time (even to sleep) not because I needed the support but because it was more out of habit. I stopped wearing one, though, not long after my implant surgery and have not missed wearing one. Then you get into the discussion (if you have not had nipple conserving surgery) about nipple reconstruction because some people decide they don't want the trouble of dealing with 'headlight's which negates the - I don't have to wear a bra now!' positive aspect of no bra liberty. But we can save that discussion for another QA! Best wishes to you and congrats on being out of those uncomfortable expanders! Hello! I am 2 years now with implants following tissue expanders. At first after surgery, I wore a bra all the time (even to sleep) not because I needed the support but because it was more out of habit. I stopped wearing one, though, not long after my implant surgery and have not missed wearing one. Then you get into the discussion (if you have not had nipple conserving surgery) about nipple reconstruction because some people decide they don't want the trouble of dealing with 'headlight's which negates the - I don't have to wear a bra now!' positive aspect of no bra liberty. But we can save that discussion for another QA! Best wishes to you and congrats on being out of those uncomfortable expanders!

There are a number of post-surgery camisoles and shirts on the market that you can easily find on the web through search engines that are in the price range of $30 and up.

A number of patients have shared their solutions about using a fanny pack or belt to store drains but if you have had a surgery using admoninal tissue, that might not be a good options due to tenderness at the site.

Another new option on the market is Pink Pocket patient pockets - they are self-adhesive, peen N stick cotton flannel fabric instant pockets that you can attach to the inside of your pj's, hospital gown, button down shirt. Peel and restick or wash the garment with the pockets - they can be removed when the drains are gone. Packages come in 5 pairs (recommended for mastectomy patients who typically have drains longer) for $19.99 or 3 pairs for $13.99. Patients love them because they are versatile and can be positioned anywhere (so if you have had a reconstruction with abdominal tissue) or tummy tuck, the drains don't have to be attached around your waist, which may be very uncomfortable. www.pink-pockets.com to order or for more information.

The other low-tech solution is to safety pin the drains to you clothing but the above discussion will hopefully provide some ther alternatives for patient comfort. Be well in recovery! There are a number of post-surgery camisoles and shirts on the market that you can easily find on the web through search engines that are in the price range of $30 and up.

A number of patients have shared their solutions about using a fanny pack or belt to store drains but if you have had a surgery using admoninal tissue, that might not be a good options due to tenderness at the site.

Another new option on the market is Pink Pocket patient pockets - they are self-adhesive, peen N stick cotton flannel fabric instant pockets that you can attach to the inside of your pj's, hospital gown, button down shirt. Peel and restick or wash the garment with the pockets - they can be removed when the drains are gone. Packages come in 5 pairs (recommended for mastectomy patients who typically have drains longer) for $19.99 or 3 pairs for $13.99. Patients love them because they are versatile and can be positioned anywhere (so if you have had a reconstruction with abdominal tissue) or tummy tuck, the drains don't have to be attached around your waist, which may be very uncomfortable. www.pink-pockets.com to order or for more information.

The other low-tech solution is to safety pin the drains to you clothing but the above discussion will hopefully provide some ther alternatives for patient comfort. Be well in recovery!

A post surgery camisole is a garment that has pouches or pockets that are designed to hold the JP drains after surgery. The camisole also comes with two soft puffs (that patients that are having tissue expanders can use for breast forms during their expansion.) They look like a tee shirt! If anyone wants to see a photo of them they can google Amoena and their website explains them well. A post surgery camisole is a garment that has pouches or pockets that are designed to hold the JP drains after surgery. The camisole also comes with two soft puffs (that patients that are having tissue expanders can use for breast forms during their expansion.) They look like a tee shirt! If anyone wants to see a photo of them they can google Amoena and their website explains them well.

One of the significant emotional issues my clients face in the emotional realm as survivors is feeling overwhelmed...by fears, the vast amount of information they've had to sift through regarding options, the choices they've had to make about treatment and dealing with all of the changes that a diagnosis and treatment generates (economic, social, career, family, wellness, intimacy, body image, friends, co-workers, self-care).

Feeling overwhelmed can affect sleep, raise anxiety and stress levels, being stuck and unable to move forward. Many of my clients begin coaching feeling like they have very low physical energy levels. Some worry about this having a negative effect on healing. Survivorship often means a shifting of priorities, values and needs.

In coaching, we help clients not only do this but work through feelings of guilt so they can, instead, give themselves permission to put self-care first without remorse.

As part of my i-Thrive! approach, I created a concept called The Four Facets which defines four sources for increasing our available energy in life.

Most people are well versed in Physical Facet and understand key ingredients to having more physical energy, but are unaware of the other three which can have a major impact on the physical…they include The Emotional Facet, The Mental Facet and The Spiritual (think mission or life purpose)Facet.

Designed Dialogues are another of my signature tools I sometimes use. These dialogues help clients generate empowering conversations to address situations where they need to make a change. There is always a very apparent sense of relief when they see what their needs are and create shifts to get them met in a way that honors themselves and creates authentic conversation with others.

Doing this work energizes them as they no longer have the conflict between what they need for their healing and the shoulds that used to run their lives. There is a vast array of resources out there for working through emotional issues stemming from the experience of surviving cancer and readers can begin right here on this site.

I often remind my readers and clients that we are not in this life alone, nor are we meant to be. We cannot know, be and do everything. We can make a choice to reach out to the network of caring and ask for help…and in doing so, we can find comfort, connection and support to make it through the challenging times.
this is rather a difficult question to answer - it not only involves innate qualities to a woman herself, but also family/friends' support, the different doctors involved in her care, nurses, social workers, patient navigators, amongst others.