Hey Family, Friends, and Fellow Breasties!
With our first two surgeries (preventative double mastectomy and exchange surgery) behind us, we have put together a list of items we recommend purchasing before you undergo a mastectomy. The items listed under post-surgery are things doctors and fellow Breasties have recommended for post-op healing along with things we found necessary for recovery. Everyone's healing process is different so things we may LOVE for recovery you or your loved one might end up not liking or using.
The bottom half of this post is dedicated to friends and family members of Breasties who want to show support for their loved one going through this big life change. This list was created from things we were grateful to have received (thanks everyone!!) and some other other ideas we think would be nice to show your loved one you care and support them .
We hope this is helpful!
xxx Ivy & Eve
Please note if you use our Amazon affiliate links, we will donate the proceeds to one of our favorite breastie Non-Profits, BRCAStrong.
Post-Surgery Must-Haves:
What to bring with you to the hospital:
Car seatbelt pillow for the ride home post-surgery
Post-surgery pillow
Post-surgery bra - Talk to your doctors beforehand to see if they provide any. Ours gave us two, one we wore out of the hospital, and an extra to take home. If you need to buy your own, SIZE UP if your doctor doesn’t want you to wear compression.
Throat lozenges - (helps with dry or sore throat from anesthesia)
Compression socks
Lip balm - We suggest Aquaphor, plus it can go on any dry skin after surgery
Button up pajamas and loose drawstring bottoms for wearing in the hospital recovery
Slippers
Soft washable blanket (having a nice non-hospital blanket made our 4 days in the hospital feel less sterile and more cozy)
Toiletries
Books and/or magazines
Charging cords
Headphones/Book
Have ready at home:
Body wipes
Dry Shampoo
Wedge or U-shaped pregnancy pillow - great if you are recovering in a bed
Recliner chair - if you don’t want to sleep in a bed for recovery
Cute water cup with straw for easy hydration!
TV tray - to fit on your lap for meals
Zip up hoodies
Button-up shirts
Phone charger- the longer the cord the better!
Drain pocket belt and/or Shirts/Bra/Robes that come with drain pockets
Sleep eye mask (this was very nice to have)
Extra post-surgery bras for when you need to wash one
Care package gift ideas & ways to support from near and far:
Boob everything! Boob mugs, shirts, cards, jewelry
Comfy button-up sweaters, pajamas, and tops
Nice smelling candles - you can never have too many!
Flowers
Spa day gift card - pre-surgery massage or facial!
Mani/pedi for before or after surgery (they may not be allowed to get nail polish before surgery but a nice nail buff/cleanup is always nice!)
Self-Care Products - sheet masks, under-eye masks, lipgloss, etc.
Dry Bar gift card - great for the week after surgery when they may not be allowed to shower or be able to style their own hair
Doordash/Grub Hub/Uber Eats etc. - So they can order meals without having to cook
Cozy socks
Cute slippers - easy to slide on
Soft blankets
Heartfelt note or card
Frozen meal delivery - Great for those who don’t have someone home to cook meals for them.
Sleep eye mask
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