Reading Time: 5 minutes Post Operative Mastectomy Shirts – More Options for Breast Cancer Survivors
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Now, there is better post-mastectomy recovery clothing, breast cancer clothing, and mastectomy supplies to help with recovery after mastectomy and surgery from breast cancer. Mastectomy recovery shirts like HealinComfort hold drainage tubes to help breast cancer patients with recovery after surgery.
Post Mastectomy Clothing Recovery Shirts to Wear After Breast Cancer Surgery
Nine years ago I had a bilateral mastectomy for breast cancer. You can read more about my Breast Cancer Journey here. After my surgery, I had four drainage tubes coming out of my body. These tubes prevent fluid buildup and patients have to empty and measure the fluid every few hours. Unfortunately, the drains usually stay for about a week or two. I wasn’t sure how to manage the drains at first and I wanted to know what to wear after a mastectomy and recovery from surgery. At that time we didn’t know of any postoperative mastectomy shirts.
What You Used To Have to Do and Wear for Mastectomy Shirts and Surgical Drains
In the old days, here is what I had to do and wear after my bilateral mastectomy and breast reconstruction surgery. Doctors and breast cancer survivors advised me to get a large button down shirt for post-operative mastectomy recovery. Since the range of motion is limited, it’s easier to get dressed in button-down shirts after a breast removal. Also, these postoperative button-down shirts would serve as an easy hiding place for dangling fluid drains. To deal with these, I was told to use either my husband’s old dress shirts or pick up some cheap shirts from Walmart.
For about a week and a half, I miserably managed the post-mastectomy drainage tubes. I safety pinned them to shirts, pants, or front-closure exercise bras. Everything was a challenge including using the restroom without the drains getting in the way. To make the situation even worse, the safety pins would sometimes come undone or poke me. Finally, I had the drains removed. What a relief!
New, Better Options for Post Mastectomy Clothing for Recovery after Operations
The old way of post-op clothing for mastectomy patients … I got an old button-down shirt and safety pins for breast cancer surgery recovery. Now, there are better options for postoperative mastectomy shirts after breast cancer surgery for recovery and drainage tubes.
Heal in Comfort Clothes for After Mastectomy
A friend of mine here in Austin, who is also a breast cancer survivor, is the inventor of Heal in Comfort, post-mastectomy clothing. Cherie Mathews helps women (and men now too) heal in comfort and dignity after breast cancer surgery. The patented healincomfort Mastectomy Shirt not only has internal pockets, but it’s also made of a moisture wicking material and Velcro fasteners. I have seen these shirts in person and they are super soft. Oh, I wish they were around 7 years ago. I am so glad there are better options now for mastectomy recovery clothing.
Breast Cancer Clothing and Mastectomy Recovery Kits
There are all kinds of breast cancer and prophylactic mastectomy recovery kits and fun t-shirts on the site. These would make great, useful gifts! Cherie pointed out, that for the same cost (or less) as a bouquet of flowers, you can get a breast cancer patient a Healincomfort shirt that would be helpful for post-op recovery, doctor visits, radiation, chemo, sleeping, and daywear. Save them the hassle and embarrassment of using oversized shirts with safety pins.
Get this Healincomfort Recovery Kit that comes with:
Healincomfort Recovery Shirt
“Extra Set of Hands” Wrap-around
A KILI Carrier for shower use
Bad Hair Day Bandana
How fun are these cancer t-shirts?
Men can get breast cancer too!
There are now mastectomy recovery clothes for men too. Therefore, Healincomfort comes in blue and black colors as well.
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I chatted with Cherie and she told me she has recently partnered up with Male Breast Cancer Coalition to help guys healincomfort instead of old bungee cords from the garage to manage the drains. Yes, men can get breast cancer too and they deserve to recovery with dignity.
More information on Post Mastectomy Recovery Clothing
If you would like to learn more, then here is a video to show you more about HealinComfort, the Post Operative Mastectomy Shirt for Breast Cancer Patients. Get one on the HealinComfort site.
Next: Find Pretty, Comfortable Bras for Breast Cancer Survivors and Previvors from Elemental or learn How to Get Social Security Disability Benefits for Breast Cancer.
Rachel is an Austin blogger, educator, mom, wife, young breast cancer survivor writing about health, saving money, and living a happy life in Austin, Texas.
Rachel has written for HuffPost and Hometalk and has been featured on KXAN, Studio 512, Fox 7 Austin, and CBS Austin.