Things You Need After a Mastectomy for the Hospital and Home

17 Things to Help You Recover After a Mastectomy

17 Things to Help You Recover After a Mastectomy
Canva; Everyday Health

Preparing for a mastectomy — the surgical removal of cancerous or potentially threatening growths in the breast — can be terrifying. While each person’s experience is unique, one thing that may help you feel calmer is being prepared for your time in the hospital and back at home.

The products below may help ease your post-mastectomy recovery, from a robe with holders for surgical drains to a wedge pillow for your bed that can help relieve strain on your chest muscles and promote healing.

Note: Keep your receipts! You may find that something you’ve purchased doesn’t meet your needs and want to return it.

Sleep Mask

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An eye mask should be on your list of things to bring to the hospital because you’ll most likely sleep at random hours. The silk one here is lightweight, breathable, and adjustable to help shield your eyes from those annoying lights.

Alaska Bear Silk Sleep Mask, $9.99, thealaskabear.com

Cozy Slippers

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Often an underrated necessity, slippers offer great protection from the cold hospital floor. These warm fleece-lined slippers are easy to slide on and off, don’t require you to bend over to adjust, and have an anti-skid sole. Machine-washable and available in multiple colors.

WateLve’s Women’s Memory Foam Slippers, $23.99, Watelves.com

Baby Wipes

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After any surgical procedure, your doctor will have specific recommendations regarding how soon you can shower or bathe. Packing baby wipes for your hospital stay and keeping them on hand during your recovery will be helpful as a way to easily refresh yourself.

The Honest Company Baby Wipes are fragrance-free and contain no parabens or phthalates. They are also made of plant-based material and are gentle enough for a baby’s bottom.

The Honest Company Baby Wipes, $4.99, 60 count, Honest.com

Feel for Yourself

Anne Peled, MD, and Ziv Peled, MD, pioneered a sensation-preservation mastectomy technique that has improved quality of life for those affected by breast cancer. Watch this incredible, personal story, recently recognized as a Webby Award Honoree.
Feel for Yourself

Dry Shampoo

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After a mastectomy or breast surgery you won’t be able to wash your own hair for some time because of limited arm movement. If that’s a bummer for you, dry shampoo can help you look and feel your best.

Hair Dance makes an all-natural, vegan, and eco-friendly dry shampoo that will absorb excess oil and help your hair look freshly washed even if it’s been a few days ... er, weeks.

Hair Dance Volumizing Dry Shampoo, $9.99, Myhairdance.com

Hospital-Style Gown

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Recovering from a DIEP flap surgery — a type of breast reconstruction in which blood vessels, skin, and fat are removed from the lower abdomen and transferred to the chest — poses special challenges.

A hospital-style gown like the model here from Kindred might become your go-to after this operation because the procedure can make it uncomfortable to wear any garment that comes into close contact with your belly.

Kindred Bravely Universal Labor and Delivery Gown, $42.90, kindredbravely.com

Heart-Shaped Pillow

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The Billow pillow was created by a breast-cancer previvor after she underwent a prophylactic (preventive) mastectomy, a decision she made after testing positive for the BRCA gene. The pillow is designed to cushion and support the upper arms, neck, and breasts following a mastectomy and lymph node removal.

All Billow pillows are available with two fillings, wool for a softer feel and kapok (a plant fiber) for a firmer feel.

Billow Heart Pillow (Kapok), $24, Whitelotushome.com

Wedge Pillow

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Lunix

After a mastectomy, you’ll want to avoid sleeping on your chest and should instead lie on your back with your upper body elevated. A triangular-shaped wedge pillow is designed to make it easy by propping you up.

The Lunix model here comes in several pieces, so you can customize the height and elevation to find a position that feels most comfortable.

Lunix LX6 3 Piece Orthopedic Bed Wedge Pillow System, $44.97, Lunix.com

Neck Pillow

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The more pillows you experiment with during recovery from surgery, the more likely you are to find the ones that work for you. A small travel pillow to support the neck can be helpful if you are unable to sleep lying down in the days after your mastectomy or breast reconstruction surgery.

The Travelrest model here comes with an adjustable drawstring to prevent the pillow from shifting and a removable, washable cover.

Travelrest Curl Memory Foam Neck Pillow, $19.95, Travelrest.net

Seat-Belt Pillow

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To protect your chest and feel more comfortable while you’re driving consider the ParkPuff, a cushion that latches around your seat belt.

Rachel Park, a breast cancer survivor and fashion entrepreneur, originally created this cushion for a friend who had a lumpectomy. Then, after she received her own breast cancer diagnosis, she made one for herself and has been using it ever since.

All ParkPuffs are produced by hand in Los Angeles. Park donates a portion of proceeds from all sales to the Remember Betty foundation, which provides financial assistance to breast cancer patients and survivors in need.

The ParkPuff Pillow, $49, Parkpuffpillow.com

Robe With Drain Belt

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Founded by breast cancer survivor and advocate Dana Donofree, AnaOno is a lingerie line exclusively for women who’ve undergone breast-cancer surgeries.

Its Miena Robe is ideal for those recovering from a mastectomy or any breast cancer surgery because it comes with an inner belt designed to hold surgical drains. The lightweight material feels soft against healing skin.

AnaOno Miena Robe With Drain Management Belt, $89, Anaono.com

Drain Holder Pockets

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Pink Pockets are flannel squares that easily peel and stick to the inside of clothing (no pins needed) to discreetly hide up to two drains in each pocket. Created by a breast cancer survivor, Pink Pockets can be temporarily added to any garment to hold a drain, and easily removed when no longer needed.

Pink Pockets, 4 Pairs (8 Pockets), $24.95, Pink-pockets.com

Mastectomy Bra

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Finding the best bra to wear after surgery will depend significantly on your doctor’s recommendations and your personal comfort. AnaOno’s lingerie line consists of several bras that can be helpful following a mastectomy or breast reconstructive surgery.

The compression level and front-closure of the Rora bra makes it ideal for post-op recovery. The bra provides full coverage with medium support, with pocketed cups that can accommodate modesty pads, prostheses, or lightweight dress forms as needed.

Note that it’s important to speak to your breast surgeon or reconstructive surgeon before buying any bra, as they may have specific requirements or preferences for other post-op garments.

AnaOno Rora Pocketed Front Closure Bra, $65, Anaono.com


Recovery Hoodie

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After a bilateral mastectomy and the struggle with drain management afterward, Kelly Hobbs, the woman behind KellyBeeDesigns, created a hooded sweatshirt with two large pockets inside that can each hold multiple drains.

The hoodie is made from a soft, stretchy blend of rayon and spandex and zips at the front so you don’t need to raise your arms to put it on.

Mastectomy Recovery Hoodie With Surgical Drain Pockets, $42, Kellybeerecovery.com

Inspiring Memoir

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Breast cancer advocate Nalie Agustin became well-known for documenting her breast cancer journey through her blog, vlog, social media posts, and podcast. But her most enduring legacy may be her bestselling 2021 book The Diary of Nalie, full of intimate reflections on lessons learned during her journey with stage 4 metastatic breast cancer.

The Diary of Nalie: A Collection of Life Lessons and Reflections Shared While Thriving Through Stage IV Cancer, $9.99, Goodreads.com

Wearable Warmer

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After Kristen Carbone’s preventive mastectomy, she found herself feeling constantly cold. Carbone soon learned that she wasn’t the only mastectomy patient with implants who was having this problem and was inspired to create something to help: Brilliantly Warm, an app-controlled wearable that can be inserted between the cup of a bra and the skin to create an all-over warming sensation. It can be purchased as a single or set and is completely rechargeable.

Brilliantly Warm (pair of units), $249, Brilliantly.co

Handheld Showerhead

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Cobbe

A handheld showerhead allows for better water control and reduces strain to make it easier to avoid sensitive surgical areas.

The Cobbe high-pressure handheld showerhead features multiple spray settings, a built-in filtration system, an ergonomic handle, and a long hose to help you shower thoroughly while keeping arm movement to a minimum.

Cobbe Handheld Shower Head, $26.99, Cobbe.com

Advice From a Survivor

Allie Bertocchini, a breast cancer survivor, notes that the most practical advice for post-recovery is to accept that you’ll need help.

After her double mastectomy, Bertocchini says, “My husband would set up a ‘station’ for me where everything was accessible and within the limited reach I had. Someone was always with me for the first few weeks, and I always had a way to reach out to someone even if they were just downstairs.”

She also says that creating a plan for any tasks or responsibilities ahead of time was a huge relief and allowed her to focus strictly on healing. She suggests mapping out a plan for childcare and other family activities, and coming up with a meal plan page that allows friends and family to contribute.

“You need to focus on yourself and allow yourself the time it takes to heal,” Bertocchini notes, so be sure to talk with your family and team about what you’ll need after your surgery.

The Takeaway

  • Getting ready for a mastectomy isn’t just about the surgery — it’s about making recovery as smooth as possible.
  • Certain daily tasks can be harder but there are products that can help. In the days or weeks after a mastectomy, when your arm mobility is limited, for instance, a dry shampoo can replace the typical kind.
  • Certain products such as special peel-and-stick pockets or belts can make it easier to manage surgical drains.

Additional reporting by Jasmine Lynn Seales.

Common Questions & Answers

How long does it take to recover from a mastectomy?
After a mastectomy, you’ll probably need about two to four weeks to recover, depending on the kind of procedure. Your doctor will be able to give you the most accurate time frame for recovery.
It’s usually advised to avoid bed rest after a mastectomy. You should be up and walking with supervision from your care team within the same day of your surgery.
It’s common to feel pain for a few weeks afterward. Talk with your doctor about any concerns you have.
More than likely, you’ll need physical therapy after a mastectomy to help with mobility and relieve muscle tightness.

Resources We Trust

EDITORIAL SOURCES
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
Resources
  1. Breast Reconstruction Surgery After Mastectomy. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
lisa-d-curcio-bio

Lisa D. Curcio, MD, FACS

Medical Reviewer
Lisa Curcio, MD, is a board-certified general surgeon and a fellowship-trained surgical oncologist. She is currently the medical director of breast surgery at Northern Dutchess Hospital in Rhinebeck, New York. Dr. Curcio attended George Washington University Medical School in Washington, D.C., where she also completed a residency in general surgery. She was invited to fellowship training in cancer surgery at City of Hope National Medical Center in Duarte, California. She was the recipient of the competitive U.S. Air Force Health Professions Scholarship Program. During her military commitment, Dr. Curcio served in the military as chief surgical oncologist at Keesler Medical Center in Biloxi, Mississippi. 

From 2003 to 2004, she served as program director for Susan G. Komen in Orange County and remains involved with Komen outreach efforts. She was on the board of Kids Konnected, a nonprofit that helps children of cancer patients deal with the emotional fallout of a cancer diagnosis. Currently, she is on the board at Miles of Hope Breast Cancer Foundation, an organization dedicated to providing support services for people affected by breast cancer in New York's Hudson Valley. Dr. Curcio also has a strong background in breast cancer research, having contributed to dozens of peer-reviewed articles. She is currently a member of the Alpha Investigational Review Board.

Her practice includes benign and malignant breast diagnoses. Dr. Curcio was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 37. Although her fellowship training was in surgical oncology, this experience motivated her to provide compassionate, high level breast care and to focus on breast surgery.

Dr. Curcio is passionate about treating the patient and individualizing the care plan to their specific needs. Dr. Curcio strongly believes that cancer care must include lifestyle changes to focus on healthier habits to reduce future events. Her practice also focuses on breast cancer risk reduction, education, and access to genetic testing for patients with a family history of breast cancer.

Brianna Majsiak

Author

In her role as an editor, Brianna writes and edits content around breast cancer, gynecological cancer, and hereditary cancer risk. She received her master of science degree from Columbia Journalism School, where her thesis focused on young women who are at high risk for breast cancer.

Brianna is excited to work with the Everyday Health team, which she first joined in 2018 as an intern, because she is passionate about sharing stories and resources to help others feel less alone when navigating a diagnosis or health condition. When she’s not writing, you can find Brianna creating a community for those affected by breast and gynecological cancers through the nonprofit The Breasties.