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Your journey · stage 1 of 5

Just diagnosed

Understanding what happens next, and what you may need.

Woman photographed against a gold background during her recovery from breast surgery

The days after a diagnosis are a blur of appointments and information. You do not need to solve everything now. On the practical side, there are only a few things worth knowing early: what kind of surgery is being discussed, roughly when, and that the garment side of recovery is simple and already thought through.

The short version

Write down your surgery type and date as soon as you have them; everything practical hangs off those two facts
Ask your breast care nurse whether the hospital provides a post-surgical bra or expects you to bring one
You do not need to buy anything yet; sizing is best done closer to the date
Macmillan (0808 808 00 00) and Breast Cancer Now (0808 800 6000) are free and endlessly patient

Worth doing at this stage

Which surgeries the Reco Bra® suits

Mastectomy, lumpectomy, reconstruction, cosmetic surgery, lipofilling and breast implant removal.

What surgeons and nurses say

Named clinicians and NHS units, in their own words.

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.

Nicole de Havilland, in her studio
Chosen by Nicole de Havilland Lymphoedema practitioner for more than thirty years, and designer of the Reco Bra®

Going into hospital

Packing for a mastectomy or a reconstruction, and the one thing most lists leave off.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

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.

If surgery is being discussed

A specialist route rather than a first step, and one to raise with your own team.

Future Dreams

The UK's dedicated breast cancer support centre, in Kings Cross and online.

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.