Undergoing a mastectomy is a significant moment in your journey toward recovery from breast cancer. Your dedicated care team will provide specific instructions tailored to your medical needs, but conducting your own research will help you feel more prepared for life after the procedure.
From finding the right support system immediately after your surgery, to looking into breast forms in Australia to boost your post-op confidence in the long run, there are many proactive steps you can take to get ready for this new chapter in your life. In this article, we’ll offer information that can help you care for your emotional and physical well-being as you navigate life after a mastectomy.
Supporting Your Emotional Recovery
No matter how prepared you feel beforehand, it’s natural to experience a wide range of emotions after your surgery. When going through any significant change, especially when it comes to health, feelings of grief, anger, and uncertainty are very common. Knowing you’re not alone can help you recover emotionally from your surgery and regain mental strength to tackle these internal confrontations.
Your loved ones are the people who know you best and are well-equipped to support you. But if none of your family or friends have ever been through a similar experience, you may begin to feel isolated, even when surrounded by people who know you best.
It’s important to remember that you are not alone. There are many support groups for individuals who have been affected by cancer. In a safe space, you can lean on others who share your journey and provide meaningful support in return. Your care team may be able to refer you to a support group, but you can also find a group online. Professional psychological services can also aid you as you navigate these fresh emotions in a more private environment.
If you’re not yet ready to talk to anyone about your experience, that’s okay! You still don’t need to walk this road alone – you can find stories from other mastectomy patients and breast cancer survivors that resonate with you and encourage you throughout the emotional recovery process.
Navigating Your Physical Recovery
Recovery from a mastectomy requires strict adherence to your care team’s guidelines and a lot of self-compassion. You may experience numbness and pain around the incision sites and along your chest for up to two weeks. Your care team will likely prescribe you pain medication to cope with these sensations, but don’t hesitate to reach out to them if the pain persists for longer than expected.
You may also experience changes in your range of motion. Your care team may refer you to a physiotherapist or instruct you to stretch and exercise your arms gently, which will help prevent discomfort and stiffness and get you back to your daily activities.
Practising self-care tips and adjusting to your changed body in the interim can ease your stress as you take your recovery one day at a time. By looking after your physical health in a holistic way, you’ll feel more in control of your life. Sleep well and maintain a balanced diet to lessen fatigue, ask loved ones for help around the house, and follow your care team’s recommendations regarding exercise and physical activity.
While complications are rare, it’s important to be aware of potential issues such as infection or lymphedema. Before you go home, you’ll be taught how to identify these issues so that you can promptly seek treatment. Symptoms of infection may include fever, redness, and pus draining from the area. Lymphedema may cause swelling, achiness, tingling, heaviness or tightness, and the sooner you treat it, the more likely treatment is to be successful.
Adjusting To Your New Normal
Returning to a new normal in your daily life after a mastectomy takes time. Getting dressed may be challenging as you adjust to your new body. You may experience different bodily sensations as your body recovers from surgery, so loose-fitting, front-buttoned shirts will be key to staying comfortable despite surgical drains and stitches.
While you recover, you may have concerns about your appearance and how you look in your clothing. A mastectomy can impact your confidence and self-esteem, but in time you will feel like yourself again.
After your care team has determined you have healed sufficiently, you can start wearing a prosthetic breast form if you want to. Breast forms are worn beneath your clothes to help you regain breast symmetry and enhance your confidence. You can wear a prosthetic breast form while you wait to undergo reconstruction, or you can opt to use the breast form permanently. Retailers offer many different sizes of breast forms so that you can find the one that best suits you. But this is entirely optional, and if it doesn’t feel right for you, it isn’t a necessary step in your recovery.
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When thinking about life after a mastectomy, preparing yourself to tackle the emotional and physical challenges that may arise after your procedure will ease your mind as you enter this new chapter.
Looking for support from loved ones, people with shared experiences, or a mental health professional will ensure your emotional needs are met. Your care team’s instructions, alongside self-care, can help ease some of the physical pain and discomfort that arises after surgery. Lastly, taking steps to improve your confidence such as finding the perfect breast form will help you move forward. Above all, remember that recovering from a mastectomy can take a toll on your mental health, so be kind to yourself.
Follow these tips to restore a sense of normalcy to your life and ease the journey of recovering from your mastectomy.
