Which boob wrote this:

A pre-surgery checklist/shopping list

I suspect they meant something different?


I've talked in other posts at length about surgical options that were available to me. If you're facing down surgery, it may be similar to what I did, or it may not. Either way, preparing can be overwhelming.

I'll do a couple of different checklists here of things that helped me. I'll update if I remember other things.

Things to ask the doctor about

  • Are you doing reconstruction? Ask about complication rates, when you'll do which part of reconstruction, and how to know if something isn't right as you heal
  • Not doing recon? Talk to your doctor about an aesthetic flat closure if you feel like that's right for you. I didn't and I wish I had, but not enough to do a second surgery for revision. Without the aesthetic flat closure, it's still fine.
  • If possible ask about a nerve block. This is a painless procedure you do before surgery and basically makes you pain free for 12-24 hours. I felt AMAZING.
  • If you tend to get sick from anesthesia, talk to the doctors about this! A scopolamine patch can help with nausea. In addition, I advocated a lot with my doctors and got an anti-nausea oral med and light anesthesia. 
  • Physical therapy. After surgery, I was sent home with a packed of photocopied exercises. Most were a bit aggressive for immediately post op, but that wasn't clear. I had a PT I worked with (California folks, hit me up if you need a rec) who helped me get back to activity on a reasonable schedule.
  • Drains. If you're squeamish, this may be the worst part. Will you have them? Ask me (or your doctor!) about them if you need more information, but be careful googling this one.
  • What do you do if you do have a complication? Who do you call?
  • If you are exceptionally weird like me and want a souvenir from the surgery, ask your doctor about that and how/where/when you can get them. I got the tags that marked my tumors returned to me, but technically all of the stuff they remove from you is yours and you are apparently entitled to it (at least in the US). Do with this information what you will.
  • What are you not allowed to do/have prior to surgery? I had a long list.

Things you might want to have on hand 

Nothing here is required but these are a few things I found handy.

  • Gatorade
  • Ice Roller. Feels so nice. You may lose sensation in your skin post op, so a roller is also nicer than ice packs so you don't forget about them and get frostbite.
  • Mastectomy pillow (and have whoever picks you up from the hospital bring it. I didn't have mine yet and ended up driving home without a seatbelt because I was not ready for that pressure.)
  • Acetaminophen/paracetamol. I was not sent home with pain meds, and didn't end up even really needing the Tylenol, but it was good to have.
  • Compression vest. You can ask your doctor what you'll be sent home with. I got two that were nice but I've learned YMMV on this. If you'll have drains, you'll want something you can clip them to so when you're finally able to shower, you aren't juggling them and soap.
  • A backlog of dumb shows to watch and dumb books to read. Maybe you are different, but I wanted simple and light, not heavy and thought-provoking. Get recommendations from friends. Maybe also specify that they should not have sick or dying people in them. 
  • A weird one, but when Anna brought me a basket of get-well presents from friends, it was lined with the softest blanket. I lived with that thing. The feel of something soft was weirdly comforting. You're apparently never too old for a security blanket.
  • Pillows. You may not be able to sleep on your side or front (ask your doctor) so you'll want something to help prop you up.
  • Enough essentials like toilet paper...
  • Clothes that button or slip off. You won't be able to put your arms over your head, and it's too late once you realize that that's how you get out of most shirts. I grabbed a few comfy and cheap nightgowns.

Things you might want to do before surgery

  • I already mentioned physical therapy, but if you're active like I am, you may want to talk to a physical therapist pre-emptively. Weeks before I went in, I had some great exercises that helped open up my chest muscles and kept me from stiffening too much.
  • Cook and freeze. If you don't cook, stock up on things that you can cook with minimal effort. Line up a schedule of friends to bring you foods you like. You'll need sustenance and you won't be able to do it yourself. 
  • Consider picking up a load of snacks and protein bars too. 
  • Put things where you can reach them, especially if you live alone. You will not be able to reach overhead for several weeks if you have a mastectomy, and bending can also be complicated, so put dishes, classes, coffee, all the things you use regularly, on a low shelf or a counter.
  • Think through a day and everything you want or need. What you'll want after surgery may surprise you but if you can prepare and have things in reach, it will help.
  • Laundry. You won't be able to lift after surgery. I bought myself extra underwear just in case, though my spouse was completely willing to deal with wash for me.