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Recovery advice
Free, expert guidance answering the questions women most often ask before and after breast surgery. Written with clinical expertise, regularly reviewed, and free to read. No sign-up required, and no obligation to buy anything.
All guides
What to pack in your hospital bag for breast surgery
Pack a front-fastening bra you can put on without lifting your arms, loose tops that button or zip up the front, and anything that…
How long do you need to wear a post surgery bra?
Most surgeons ask you to wear a soft, wire-free, front-fastening bra day and night for around four to eight weeks after breast surgery, depending…
How to sleep after breast surgery
Most women are most comfortable sleeping on their back, propped up on several pillows rather than lying flat, with a pillow under each arm…
VAT relief on post surgery bras: who qualifies and how to claim
Yes, if you are buying it because of a qualifying medical condition. In the UK, post-surgical bras bought by someone who has had breast…
Organisations, charities and specialists Nicole recommends
We don't sell any of these services or products. We've included them because recovery is about more than what you wear. Sometimes, finding the right advice, support or specialist is one of the most important parts of the journey.
Going into hospital
Packing for a mastectomy or a reconstruction, and the one thing most lists leave off.
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Drain Dollies (opens in a new tab)
Surgical drain bags that hang from the shoulder, so drains can be carried without lifting your arms. Two for a double mastectomy, one for a single.
Designed by a patient. Profits go to Prevent Breast Cancer.
Getting to the toilet after abdominal surgery
After abdominal surgery, lowering yourself onto a toilet and standing up again can be uncomfortable while the abdomen heals. Standing to urinate avoids some of that movement and pressure.
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Shewee (opens in a new tab)
The original stand-to-pee device. The Reco Brief is designed with a discreet opening so it can be used without taking the garment off.
Reco Heart works in collaboration with Shewee, and Reco Heart customers get 10% off with the code RECO10. Always follow your surgical team's advice.
Padding, if you have been advised to use it
Some surgical teams recommend soft padding over the breast in the early weeks, particularly after a mastectomy or lipofilling. The Reco Bra® can be worn over padding, as directed by your team.
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LanaCare breast surgery pads (opens in a new tab)
Soft wool pads shaped to sit over the breast after mastectomy, reconstruction, augmentation or radiotherapy, in four sizes.
Sold from Europe and priced in euros. Ask your surgical team before putting any padding over a healing wound.
Lymphoedema: where to start
If lymph nodes were removed, or you have had radiotherapy, this is the part of recovery least likely to be explained to you properly.
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Lymphoedema Support Network (opens in a new tab)
The national charity for lymphoedema. Start here if you have been told you are at risk, or have noticed swelling and do not know what it means.
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MLD UK: find a therapist (opens in a new tab)
Search by postcode or area for a registered manual lymphatic drainage therapist near you.
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MLD UK: useful links (opens in a new tab)
Further reading on manual lymphatic drainage and what it can and cannot do.
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Mini guide: MLD after breast cancer (opens in a new tab)
How manual lymphatic drainage can help with lymphoedema following breast cancer treatment.
PDF, opens in a new tab.
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Mini guide: MLD after cosmetic surgery (opens in a new tab)
The same, written for women recovering from cosmetic procedures rather than cancer treatment.
PDF, opens in a new tab.
Compression, if you have been advised to wear it
Either as a preventative after lymph node removal or radiotherapy, or because swelling has already started.
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LympheDIVAs (opens in a new tab)
Compression sleeves, gauntlets and gloves in patterns you might actually want to wear. Worth knowing about if you are dreading the beige.
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Pebble UK: compression tights (opens in a new tab)
Clear support and compression hosiery for women, in ordinary tights rather than medical beige.
If surgery is being discussed
A specialist route rather than a first step, and one to raise with your own team.
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Oxford Lymphoedema Practice (opens in a new tab)
Surgical treatment for lymphoedema, including the supermicrosurgery this team brought to the UK.
Future Dreams
The UK's dedicated breast cancer support centre, in Kings Cross and online.
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Future Dreams House (opens in a new tab)
Workshops, classes, one to one therapies and community meet-ups, in person and virtual, at every stage of a diagnosis.
Reco Heart works with Future Dreams, and the Reco Bra® is available in their Bra Fitting Lounge.
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Breast cancer surgery: advice and support (opens in a new tab)
Their surgery hub, including women explaining in their own words why they chose the operation they did.
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Lymphoedema: advice and support (opens in a new tab)
Everything they have written on lymphoedema after breast cancer, in one place.
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Lymphoedema: 16 questions answered (opens in a new tab)
A panel of specialists on what causes lymphoedema, how common it is, what to watch for and how it is treated.
These are other people's organisations and we have no control over what they publish. Nothing here replaces the advice of your own surgeon, breast care nurse or GP.