Preparing for a Mastectomy

If you’re preparing for a mastectomy—whether it’s a preventative mastectomy because of a BRCA gene mutation or a mastectomy as part of breast cancer treatment—this episode is for you.

I recorded this one because I have quite a few women in my own circle heading into mastectomies this month, and this has been an ongoing conversation between me and these women for weeks now. Real texts, real voice notes, real "What do I even do with all of this?” moments—sharing tips we’ve learned the hard way and the little things that end up making a huge difference. At some point I just thought… this shouldn’t stay private. So I’m bringing it here to all of our friends at BRCA & Beyond.

This isn’t a “do it perfectly” guide, and it’s not meant to replace your medical team. It’s a supportive walk-through of how to prepare for a mastectomy mentally, emotionally, physically, and practically—in a way that feels human and doable, especially if you’re trying to hold life together while a surgery date is sitting on your calendar.

We talk honestly about anticipatory anxiety in the days and weeks leading up to surgery...how that date can start to feel like doomsday and how complicated it is to be saying goodbye to a part of your body that’s tied to identity, femininity, motherhood, and sexuality…while also being the very thing you’re being told could someday harm you. If you’ve had the sobbing fests, the random waves of panic, the “I’m fine—wait, I’m not fine” moments… you’re not alone. I also share what helped me most: therapy early on, having a safe place to let the emotions out, and finding support that doesn’t require you to explain every single detail.

From there, we get into physical preparation for mastectomy recovery: what the movement restrictions can look like, how long drains might be in, why muscle loss happens, and how gentle movement, walking, stretching, hydration, and prioritizing protein before and after surgery can truly support healing. I also share what I wish I did more of before my surgeries and why your body will thank you later for even small efforts now.

And then we slow down and get very practical, because the practical prep matters. We talk about meal prepping and freezing food, setting up a meal train, and stocking easy high-protein snacks for the low-energy days. I walk through a real-life “recovery nesting” plan—including things like a recliner or lift chair (a total game-changer), what to wear after surgery (button-down pajamas, zip hoodies, elastic sweatpants), surgical bras and drain management, slippers or slides (because bending down is a whole situation), bath wipes and shower routines when you’re scared to get incisions wet, mastectomy pillows for comfort and protecting your chest (especially around kids), and a seat belt cushion for rides to follow-ups.

We also talk about the first mirror moment — the “oh… this is real” moment — and the emotional side of adjusting afterward: body image, grief, relief, frustration, and how healing is not linear. I share why lining up support before surgery matters so much, including community resources like FORCE, and how giving your loved ones practical “jobs” ahead of time can make recovery feel less overwhelming.

If this episode gives you even one thing that helps you feel steadier going into surgery and recovery, I’m so glad you’re here. This is a big surgery and a big season—and none of us were ever prepared to have to prepare for something like this in the first place… but you’re doing the right thing by gathering support and making it easier where you can.

You’ve got this—and I promise you’re going to be okay.

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