Christmas is a magical and joyful time of year that goes by too fast. However, for those who have to spend Christmas preparing and recovering for surgery, the holidays may seem endless. There are many creative Christmas gifts for patients who are going through the breast reconstruction journey. If they can’t make it to the Christmas celebrations, bring Christmas to them!
Although everyone’s breast reconstruction journey is unique, being prepared can help them feel more at ease. From phase 1 surgery to recovery, the process can take around 6 weeks. Because of this, we have created a list of products to help individuals across all aspects of surgery, including what you’ll need in the hospital as well as post-surgical clothing.
Here is our list of must-have items for breast reconstruction surgery and recovery:
For the Hospital
- Soft Blanket: Cozy blankets can help your loved one relax and being comfortable can decrease the ‘fight or flight’ part of one’s nervous system.
- Eye Mask: As we know hospitals run around the clock, so it can be difficult to get the needed rest without a little help blocking out the bright lights and activities around them.
- Cozy Slippers: Slippers are an underrated necessity and offer great protection for the cold hospital floor. Look for soft, fleece slippers with grip that are easy to put on so patients don’t have to bend over to adjust them. Machine washable slippers are always a good option.
- Book: If you know what they like to read, a book makes the perfect gift and can help take their mind off things. Reading can help pass the time and make sleepless nights more bearable.
For the Home
- Button Down Pajamas and/ or Loungewear: Comfortably loungewear is essential! Look for items with a loose fit, front closure, and additional pockets for drains. Patients are usually not prepared for how uncomfortable drains are and a post-surgery robe can help alleviate some of this discomfort.
- Flap Reconstruction Bra: A post-breast reconstruction surgery bra is a wonderful gift. It may feel overwhelming to pick one out so a gift card to a post-surgery store gives your friend something to look forward to!
- Cleaning Service: Even under the best circumstances, maintaining a clean and organized house can be difficult. When you are recovering from surgery, it becomes significantly more challenging. Hiring a cleaning crew to come by and help with dishes, laundry, and other household chores is a great gift.
- Prepared Meals or Grocery Delivery: A person recovering from surgery needs to eat well in order to maintain their strength. However, they most likely won’t feel up to shopping or cooking for themselves. You can place a grocery order for delivery and get it sent to them or purchase some freeze and reheat meals.
Are we missing any of your favorite items? Leave them in the comments below to share and encourage others to help make a difference in your loved one’s life.
“Set realistic, attainable goals after your surgery. Your body is going to feel different now than it did before surgery. If you are doing it simply to lose weight or get back into a certain dress or pant size you may be setting yourself up for failure. Reset your compass.”
Leave Comment
-
-
Thank you so much for sharing this with us!
December 16,2022
-
Sign Up for Our Monthly Newsletter
Continue Reading
Understanding DIEP Flap Reconstruction: FAQs, Recovery, and Best Practices
Understanding DIEP Flap Reconstruction: FAQs, Recovery, and Best Practices April 18, 2023 Share on Facebook Twitter Linkedin What is DIEP flap reconstruction surgery? DIEP flap reconstruction surgery, or Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator flap surgery, is a type of breast reconstruction surgery that uses tissue from the lower abdomen to create a new breast after a […]
Unhappy with Your Implant Reconstruction Results? Here’s What You Can Do
Unhappy with Your Implants? April 05, 2023 Share on Facebook Twitter Linkedin Breast Reconstruction is a transformative surgery that helps many women feel whole again after battling breast cancer. While the procedure can be a significant step in your healing journey, it’s crucial to know what to do if you’re unhappy with your results.Be Honest […]
Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS): The Future of Perioperative Care at PRMA Plastic Surgery
Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS): The Future of Perioperative Care at PRMA Plastic Surgery March 31, 2023 Share on Facebook Twitter Linkedin At PRMA Plastic Surgery, we are committed to providing the best possible care for our patients. That’s why we have adopted the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) approach to perioperative care. ERAS is […]
Preventative Breast Mastectomy: Taking Control of Your Breast Cancer Risk
Preventative Breast Mastectomy: Taking Control of Your Breast Cancer Risk March 23, 2023 Share on Facebook Twitter Linkedin Considering a Preventative Mastectomy?Whether you have a BRCA gene mutation or a family history of breast cancer, your doctor might have suggested a prophylactic mastectomy to lower your risk.This procedure, also known as a preventative mastectomy, removes […]
No ICU Stay Needed: PRMA’s Advanced Surgical Techniques and Recovery Protocols
No ICU Stay Needed: PRMA’s Advanced Surgical Techniques and Recovery Protocols March 22, 2023 Share on Facebook Twitter Linkedin DIEP (Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator) flap surgery is a popular breast reconstruction surgery that uses a patient’s own abdominal tissue to reconstruct the breast after a mastectomy. This procedure is becoming increasingly popular due to its […]
TruSense®
TruSense® March 15, 2023 Share on Facebook Twitter Linkedin Breast cancer is a devastating diagnosis that affects millions of women every year. For many women, a mastectomy is the recommended course of action to remove the cancerous tissue. While a mastectomy can be lifesaving, it often comes with the undesired side effect of lost sensation […]
What to Know if You Start Your Period Before a Surgery: Expert Advice for Women
What to Know if You Start Your Period Before a Surgery: Expert Advice for Women March 10, 2023 Share on Facebook Twitter Linkedin What Happens if You Start Your Period Before Surgery? Starting your period before a surgery can be a cause of concern for many women. It is important to understand that surgery puts […]
Too Thin For DIEP Flap? You May Have Other Flap Options!
Too Thin For DIEP Flap? You May Still Be A Flap Candidate! March 03, 2023 Share on Facebook Twitter Linkedin What happens if you are too thin for DIEP flap surgery? At PRMA we have successfully performed DIEP flap reconstructions on women with BMI’s of 20 and even less. For those who are deemed “Too […]
How Long Will I Be Out Of Work After DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction Surgery?
How Long Will I Be Out Of Work After DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction? January 31, 2023 Share on Facebook Twitter Linkedin DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction is a major surgery that requires planning, support, and 4-6 weeks of recovery time. The exact length of time off work after a DIEP flap will depend on several factors, […]
This Simple Coding Change Could Kill Access to DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction for Thousands of Americans
This Simple Coding Change Could Kill Access to DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction for Thousands of Americans January 25, 2023 Share on Facebook Twitter Linkedin Changes in medical coding by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will severely limit the breast reconstruction options women have available through insurance, potentially making procedures like the DIEP […]
Cough drops, lip balm, robes with pockets for drains, puzzles, rocks with paint sticks, a lap pillow to put under your seatbelt…these are a few of our favorite things!!
Rose’s House
December 16,2022