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Good on you for being so considerate!

I just had my surgery on December 16th. Here's what I can recall from the first couple weeks.

1. Ask the doc for a prescription nausea med if one hasn't already been offered, especially if she's prone to nausea/dizziness/vertigo or sensitive to prescription pain meds. Throwing up after surgery puts a lot of pressure on your chest and can pop stitches and be very painful.
   
   
2. Have lots of high protein, easily digestible foods available. I was surprised I was hungry and that the hospital let me eat just a couple hours after I woke up. Simple foods I could eat by the following morning: Yogurt, pudding, jello, mashed potatoes, oatmeal, kefir etc. Protein will help her heal faster and her guts may be wonky because of the antibiotics so Kefir is a good choice.
   
   
3. Pillows! I'm three weeks out of surgery and I still have roughly four billion pillows around me. A wedge pillow is very helpful if she's going to sleep in bed but pillows under her legs and arms, in the arch of her back and smooshed all around the edges of her body (or body pillows) are so helpful. It hurts to support yourself or lift yourself up so the more pillow support the better. If your pillows are very soft and squishy, you can roll up towels or blankets instead. And yes, keep a pillow in the car for trips.
   
   
4. Standing requires using your abs and the muscles over your ribs are sore after surgery so you will probably have to help her to stand from a sitting or laying position for at least a couple of weeks. The same goes for sitting, especially on the toilet. Lowering yourself requires use of your ab muscles so help her to sit and stand so she doesn't pull a muscle or a stitch.
   
   
5. Speaking of the bathroom, reaching to wipe can pull your rib muscles as well or just throw you off balance. It won't be an option for everyone, but I made a point of getting a bidet that attaches to my existing toilet before the surgery and it's been awesome. Also, your gal is likely to be constipated. Stool softeners, fiber and LOTS of water (or cranberry juice to prevent UTI's from the catheter) are her friend.
   
   
6. Bathing: For the first few weeks she can't shower so you'll have to help. Here's how I do it. With my husbands help I strip from the waist down but keep the bra on. I stand in the shower while he sits on a little stool in front of the open shower. I soap up and he rinses me down. I carefully get out of the shower and he helps me dry off well and get new underclothes on. Then we put a towel around my waist and one around my neck and clasp it with a hair claw. I sit on the stool and he sits on a chair behind me and uses a spray bottle of water to wet my hair and then a comb to gently apply soap throughout. Then I stand up and lean over the tub white he sits on the back of the tub and uses a cup to rinse my hair. Then he helps me wrap my wet hair in a towel and we change my bra and bandages. The whole process takes about 20 minutes and is the easiest routine we could fine. We tried other options but they always ended up with water everywhere and usually running down my chest.
   
   
7. Changing the bandages. Your lady's doc will tell her what to do and every doc is different so take this with a grain of salt. I had a keyhole or anchor style incision. One week after surgery, my bandages were getting gross, smelly and frayed so I changed them. I'm very sensitive to glue so the way I do it minimizes tape usage. I remove the bandages slowly. Then I spray a clean cotton bandage with saline lightly and use that to wipe off my entire breast as well as under the breast and close to (but not on) the nipple). Then I inspect the incisions for swelling/redness and other signs of infection. Then I carefully remove any loose glue/scabs etc. Be VERY careful when doing this as it's easy to pull off skin with the surgical glue. The reason you want to snip or pinch off the loose bits is because they catch on the bandages and the bandage pulls it when you move and that stings! Plus, the loose bits poke at you which is uncomfortable. Anyway, after it's all cleaned up, I take the largest bandage I have and open it all the way and then fold it into quarters long ways so I have a thick long band to place from the inner corner of the incision (between the breasts) all the way to the outer corner incision (near the armpit) and I use a small piece of tape to tape each end. Then I take another large bandage and unfold it once and place it over the center of my breast to cover the nipple and about four inches of skin on each side. I use three small pieces of tape to take this bandage, two pieces hold the bottom of it to the strip of bandage under my breast and one goes at the top. Once I put the bra on over the bandages I peel the tape off my skin and fold it over so that the only tape sticking to my skin anymore is the piece under my underarms. The bra does a good job of compressing the bandages to my incisions so I don't need any other tape and it's much more comfortable this way.
   
   
8. Some days she will be full of energy and will have little pain and other days she will become exhausted from walking to the bathroom and her boobs will feel like they're badly sunburned and jellyfish are stinging them. There's no rhyme or reason to it, I feel great one day and terrible the next and then great again etc. The first two days after surgery I felt like I could run a marathon, the two days after that I basically didn't get out of my recliner because I was on so much pain and so tired. She'll take a lot of naps and that's good, she needs rest. I would feel so nauseous and like I never wanted food again and then twenty minutes later I'd be ravenous. Just roll with it. Have some comfort foods handy, but try to eat healthy and get lots of water. The last thing you want is an upset stomach, gastro issues or inflammation because Taco Bell seemed like a good idea. I drank a lot of smoothies made of fresh fruits and veg and I really think that eating healthy has helped in my recovery.
   
   
9. She needs at least two or three bras. They send you home in a surgical bra but mine was very uncomfortable and caked in blood and lymph fluid so I wanted out of it asap. I purchased this one and this one and they've been awesome. They're soft, no wires, close in the front and they don't cut into my sides.
   
   
10. Disappointment. When I first saw my new boobs, they seemed really small and I was worried. After a few days I realized they were proportional to my size and only small in comparison to my crazy enormous boobs from before. The shape is all wonky, I have scabby gross incisions, I feel like I'm sweaty and smelly (I'm not), I'm sore, I'm tired, I itch (thank you Percocet), my whole body was swollen for the first week, I felt useless and lazy and restless. It's all normal. Surgery is hard on your body and when you're stuck in a chair (or bed) for days or weeks with nothing else to do you start to dwell on all the negative stuff. Help her stay distracted (video games, movies, magazines, puzzle books, sketch pads etc), remind her that she's just had major surgery and that her body needs calories and rest to heal properly. Tell her how great she's doing, how proud of her you are for being so brave, what a strong bad-ass she is etc. Be really supportive, empathetic and compassionate. She might cry more or be more anxious and that's ok. It's roller coaster of both physical and emotional feelings but she can get through it if you stay supportive.
    
    Good luck and feel free to PM or comment here if you have any questions!

Currently 8 days post-op, and here's some of my must-haves:

• Laptop with easy access to power: I thought I might spend my time reading but I really spent most of it watching Ken Burns documentaries on Netflix (don't judge)
  
• Giant reading pillow with arms: Most reading pillows just weren't big enough for long-term use - I got a HUUUUGE one on Amazon and it was amazing - it was comfortable to sleep propped up in (for the first few days anyhow, since I'm a die hard side sleeper) but it was amazing for staying recumbent for hours at a time without any aches or pains from weird angles.
  
• Cough drops: Your throat will be sore/dry/hoarse for at least first 24 hours post-op. Get something to suck on - any hard candy will do.
  
• Tylenol: For if/when you decide to wean off any opiates prescribed by your dr, be sure to have plenty on hand. Speaking of opiates...
  
• Stool softener: You will take days to shit. I did Ex-Lax but I got impatient and took too much. Go with something more gentle or be patient, and don't make the mistake I did.
  
• Button/zip-front tops: Your tits will be sore and you will be banned from lifting your arms up. Get a variety of tops - most zip tops are a thicker material, so try to get some short sleeve/softer fabric button-down type dealies for when you're just hanging out and you're not cold. I personally never felt cold post-sx, only comfortable or warm, so a light knit button up top was perfect for me.
  
• Zip-front or front-hook bras: Buy them in various sizes. I was so completely overwhelmed and unsure of how to buy a sports bra, since I've only even been able to buy them 4-5 sizes bigger than my band size (and had them fit horribly). I was also in utter denial that any sports bra could fit me, even *after* surgery, but I went ahead and got sports bras based on my band size - two styles in my current band size and two styles in the next size up, just in case of swelling. I found that the regular band size fit snug but well for healing and moving around (you don't want them swimming around in there!). Some people with more swelling find the bigger band size works better for recovery, then the regular band size works better as the swelling subsides.
  
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  Also some things I got but didn't need:
  
  
• Shower brush: I had good mobility by day 3 and could reach all but the bottoms of my feet.
  
• Maxi pads to line my recovery bra: I was prepared for tons of leaking from the incisions, even with drains. I had none.
  
• Anti-nausea accoutrements: My #1 post-sx fear was nausea & vomiting, and I was PREPARED - I got two giant boxes of crackers, ginger candies of all kinds, peppermint tea, pepto bismol, jello, bread to make toast, white rice, fruit popsicles, etc. I never once experienced any nausea or vomiting, and my appetite didn't even wane. However, if that's a fear of yours, definitely stock up on the above stuff.
  
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  I'm not going to lie, I kinda hit the ground running after surgery, and with the exception of the first hour in recovery when I was a little woozy, I did pretty well overall. I was up and about at 75% capacity by the day after surgery, and 90% the day after that. I did give myself a solid week of house arrest to recuperate and not stress myself out, but I was showering by day 3 (doctor OK-ed) and with some slowness and mindfulness (I had drains...still do actually), I was able to wash my hair and body without dizziness or pain. Cooking light stuff and puttering around by day 4. Finally went back to work 1-week post op (yesterday!) and did a full day and felt fine. This is all basically to say...you might have a completely different recovery process than me! I recovered surprisingly quick, hence the items I didn't need that I thought I would for-sure be using. But better to have them and not need them than to need them and not have them, I always say. Thank goodness for Amazon and Target's return policies!

Congratulations! I had one in March and it was one of the best decisions I have ever made. Do you have any friends or family that could be with you at home the first few days? One thing I didn't even think about is that you cannot use your arms at all to shift your weight, to help push you up out of bed or into a sitting position. I learned to scoot around on my rear end. :) It is also challenging to bathe and wash your hair for the first couple of weeks. It helps to use those muscles but I had to have my husband help me shower the first week or two. Another idea is to have someone stock a cooler to be near where you settle to recover for the day or night so you can access easy to reach food, water & other beverages. You are healthy and that is to your advantage.

Good luck!! I hope you love it as much as I do. Oh, one last piece of advice. Once you have been cleared at your one or two week check, you will want to start using somehing on your scars. Mine still get itchy and uncomfortable if I don't keep them well moisturized. I expect to use it for a year or so based off of a previous surgery. My accupuncturist recommended a belly balm. I love this one (I am terrible at linking): https://www.amazon.com/Beautiful-Belly-Balm-8-oz/dp/B0011NK95G/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1_m?ie=UTF8&qid=1483473982&sr=8-1-fkmr0&keywords=Beautiful%2Bbelly%2Bbalm%2Bfor%2Bpregnancy&th=1

I estimated what size soft front close bras I would need, based on my surgeon's predictions. There was a lot of swelling in my ribcage and chest for the first two weeks, so definitely leave a bit of wiggle room in your estimations. You will want compressive but not restricting bras. I recommend getting an extra wide ace bandage to supplement compression for when you need it.

Here are four bras I used. I'm about a 28DD right now at 5 weeks post op, working my way down to D or C.

Hanes women’s seamless Like a genie bra but better construction. Form fitting and generally supportive, not very compressive.

Fruit of the Loom comfort front close sport bra Love this one. Good compression and support. Bonus points: it's p cute.

Carole Martin full-freedom cotton bra Provided support but not much compression

Fruit of the Loom Women's Front Close Racerback Good compression. 2 pack!

I have circulation issues in my legs and have been wearing the Jobst trouser socks for 5 years. I still have the original socks, and I purchased them in 2013, so soon they'll be 6 years old. They no longer look new, but they're still in excellent shape with minimal pilling. My smartwool socks purchased at the same time are about ready to be recycled into something else.

I wear them to work, as they look very nice under slacks, I wear them on flights and road trips... I have relatively large calves and they're super comfortable and incredibly durable. They're thin enough to fit into my nicer work shoes, and I've used them for winter layering when my feet are cold (putting them on as a base layer, then wool socks on top). Cannot recommend them enough. :)

Hey! I'm gonna paste the shopping list I used to buy things before my surgery and maybe it'll be helpful for you!

Extra strength Tylenol, frozen peas (for icing), gauze pads (I've gone through three packs of the largest band-aid brand gauze at Target), Hibiclens soap for my pre-op shower, three cases of water, throat drops, saltines, light soups, small bottles of gatorade so they're easier to lift, paper plates +disposable utensils so you don't have to do dishes, and cat food + cat litter (obviously this is specific to cat owners, but if you have a pet I suggest buying everything they need before so that you won't have to pick up anything for them at the store post-op)

Something else that might be helpful is a pack of cheap wash clothes to dry your chest after you shower since they're easier and quicker to wash than using a new full size towel every time. Paper towels are also helpful to dry your chest since they're disposable. I'm 11 days post-op, allowed to shower, and still have tape over my incisions, so I use a wash cloth to dry my chest and then blow dry my chest on low heat from a distance since I don't want the tape to retain moisture. Maternity pillows are great for sleeping- I borrowed one from a family member since I don't have any children and they're kinda pricey.

As far as post-op bras go, definitely call your surgeon's office and ask if they will provide a post-op surgical bra. My surgeon never mentioned it, but ended up providing one since I woke up in a size 38 band velcro surgical bra. I bought one Fruit of the Loom front closure bra in 38 since I knew I would be swollen. It didn't fit until 5 days post op. Here is the bra. I got it in black so that it wouldn't show any leakage, but the inside is white anyway so it didn't really matter.

Good luck with your surgery!!! :)

I'm two weeks post-op.

People here all have fantastic suggestions so far!
I used:

1. Fruit of the Loom bras from Wal-Mart, look like this. They were cheaper at the store vs. Amazon. I specifically like this bra because it's shaped like a tank top -- not a racerback, which means I can wear more clothes with it without straps showing.
   
2. Curad Non-Stick pads that look like this. That's what my doctor shoved in my post-op bra, so I just got more of them. Now I don't need them anymore. I didn't even finish the one box of 12.
   
3. Husband installed this bidet for me. The dignity of cleaning my own butt after such a challenging surgery was nice.
   
4. Someone else said heating pad -- yep.
   
5. Consider pre-making some food -- something really healthy and easy to eat. I made a diet soup that is meant for a cleanse because it had a ton of fiber (cabbage, lots of other veg) and was easy to heat a little at a time. I can provide the recipe link if you want it. I also took psyllium fiber tablets every day and drank dark coffee each morning, while drinking as much water as I could. And I lost some extra weight with the soup, too. For breakfast, I only ate oatmeal with cinnamon and bananas since that's so easy to digest. I had no problems, uh, getting the job done with all that fiber.
   
6. We installed a handheld shower head. I had my husband around to help me bathe, and it made things easier for both of us. I sat in a shallow bath and he helped me clean with the shower head. In the shallow bath, I used some scented epsom salts to help me relax. The first couple of baths were uncomfortable and awkward and it helped.
   
7. Tylenol. I weaned myself off the drugs after 3-4 days. In the morning, I took half the dose of Tylenol (which is every 3 hours vs. 6) to see how my pain was, then I'd either take another one on time, wait a while, or take half a pain pill. I did this until I was using only Tylenol and eventually nothing or only one dose a day of it.

Good luck with surgery and wishing you a smooth recovery! I tried a few different bras, but this has been my favorite after surgery: https://www.amazon.com/BRABIC-Post-Surgical-Adjustable-Wirefree-Racerback/dp/B07GGR68WB

I don't know if it's standard practice anyway, but I asked the anesthesiologist for anti-nausea patches which helped me. I figured I'd lose sensation in my nipples, but was surprised to find that I have extremely sensitive nipples now; it bothered me so much that I made a run to the store to get non-stick gauze to cover them with daily. I'm a side/stomach sleeper, so a side pillow made it easier to sleep (folded into a U shape and could lean slightly to the side). I don't have any kids, so no advice there but it sounds like you have a good support system with your husband and friends to help out.

I've only had surgery past friday, so my experience is very limited but absolutely DO get something that closes in the front. I've bought a medical compression bra as well, because of sudden changes in my operation date, and it has a way to open up the shoulders so you don't have to do a lot of weird arm work to get them on. The one I have linked is the one I have, and it has hooks first, so you can close those before you zip it up. My nurse in the hospital and my mom both found that VERY handy. Especially if all things are still a bit swollen and such.

Also got these linked from someone on here, and I've ordered similair as those, and they're so nice. Super colorful, and I need to wear one for 6 weeks straight, so the colors really are helpful to keep the cheering up :)


Good luck with your surgery! It may not be as bad as you think.

EDIT: Also get some shirts and hoodies and such that you can close in the front, because you will need it.

I'm so sorry for the rescheduling problems. The thought of upcoming surgery is emotional enough without them screwing with you that way. I would've been a wreck too if mine had been put off. I'm the kind of person that once I decide to do something, I want it done NOW lol! If the do end up rescheduling again, threaten to go to another surgeon (even if you really won't). My guess is they won't mess with you again though.

Use this extra time to prep yourself. I too had to buy (and bring to surgery) my own post-surgery bra too, it's pretty common. I bought bras a few weeks before my surgery. I didn't have to worry about any return times for mine though. Unless they're telling you that you need a special type of surgical bra, don't spend a ton of money on one. My best ones were just front-close sports bras. They provide plenty of support. I got the cheap Fruit of the Loom ones from Walmart, and ordered some from Amazon. I did also order a couple surgery bras, but like I said, the sports ones were my go-to. This was my fave, and my nurse liked it:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B015QQVR0E/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I'm 10 weeks post surgery and I still wear these. Have several colors.

Hang in there!!

Everyone says to get these Fruit of the Loom bras. I was a 30GG before surgery and I got two of these bras in a size 34. They were too small after surgery. It's been three months since my surgery and the bras are still too small. I would estimate my current size is a 32DD or 32E/34D depending on the bra (my band size is bigger now). So if you get bras like these, get them way bigger.

People also recommend other sports bras from Walmart. I found that with my small band size, these rode up and caused the front to dig into my sore incisions. But you might have better luck.

I bought this bra in a larger size, like a L A/B, because that was all they had available in the shop. They altered it - took a big tuck in the back of the band so it would fit. It's okay for sleeping in. If I were doing the whole thing over again I would have ordered that Amoena bra in a M C/D ahead of time.

yes! they are fruit of the loom on amazon. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07217PCWC/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

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super comfy overall and I'll definitely be using these once I'm all healed up

Wow, that's a bit of a tough situation! I'm not sure what restrictions you'll have with the arm lift. That said:

My surgeon uses the Carole Martin Full-Freedom -- I'd recommend it as an early-on bra because it's inexpensive, front-close, breathable, and ordered simply by band (go one or two band sizes up from what you use now). After that, I really liked the Jockey front-zip seam-free sports bra.

Thank you :) Here ya go! bras

Omg. Besides having my reduction, this bra was the best thing I had ever done for my boobs. Seriously, changed my life at the time! I was a 34N, and it lifted me and gave me great support. I was still miserable and it was uncomfortable (I am convinced every bra when you're that size is gonna be bad) but it was light years ahead of everything I had been wearing before!

https://www.amazon.com/Goddess-Womens-Underwire-Banded-Stormy/dp/B06XVHDFG1/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=bra+34n&psc=1&qid=1571942020&sr=8-3

It was great- here you go

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https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07NJNBP5Z/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

P.S. I have been wearing Warner's wire free bras, because I don't really have a need for VS-style bras anymore -- I don't need the underwires, and I don't need the molding. https://www.amazon.com/Warners-Womens-Easy-Wire-Free-Heather/dp/B071YVQG92/ref=sr_1_8?s=apparel&ie=UTF8&qid=1542045068&sr=1-8&nodeID=2376204011&psd=1&keywords=warners+bra+wirefree

Here is the mobile version of your link