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I am having bilateral mastectomy tomorrow. When I went to pick up my camisoles for post surgery, I was told that I would not need to get compression bras right away. I am having drains as well as expanders and the doctor will be doing a sentinel node biopsy. Do I need the compression bras right away?
I never used a compression bra. My insurance paid for surgical bras that my hospital fitted me for. they were not compression type at all and not supportive. I wore them for two weeks and then switched to a soft cup bra. when i am home i often go braless.
@A MyBCTeam Member I also has BMX and I never needed/purchased a compression bra. My hospital sent me home in a floral velcor tube top (see my pinboard photos under surgery). I pined the drains to the tube top (you can also see in the picture). After a weeks I finally felt comfortable to get rid of the tube top. My PS wanted it off me sooner than I did!!! I just wore mens sleeveless tanks for a couple weeks, then moved onto spagettti strapped tanks that I still wear every day in place of a bra.
The expanders feel like an "internal bra" to me so I have not worn a bra since I had the surgery, 2 mons ago.
You really dont need to spend money right away. The best thing is to have to loose button up PJ.s or button or zip front items, a thick ribbon to tie drains while bathing, a couple small pillows for under your arm.... Take the ones from the hospital. They cannot reuse them anyway and they will be great for the ride home. LMK if you have any other questions....its all still fresh in my mind!
I used compression bras right away after leaving the hospital. Got them cheap at Walmart. The front closure made showers and dressing easier with the drains, the compression actually helped a lot with swelling and comfort.
I never used compression bras. It was advised by my lymphedema certified physical therapist to purchase a tank top that would put compression in my arm pit area since I had 31 lymph nodes removed.
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