Weighty questions

[RitaAnn]

Hi to all!
I've been lurking on this site for a few weeks now and, since I've just received my surgery date, have finally decided to jump into the pool with all of you terrific people. Knowing that so many people have gone (or are going through) what I am is such a tremendous help.

By searching through the back posts I've gotten a lot of information, hints and tips that will certainly come in handy but there are a few specific questions that I could use some help on -- especially from the ladies.

1. Although they wanted to do the surgery fairly soon, my surgeon pushed my date back to give me a chance to lose twenty pounds. Now, I'm not an overweight person. In fact I'm just right for my height. I am, however extremely large busted (36 F). (I've been wanting to get a breast reduction my whole life but was too afraid of having a major surgery. The situation is just a bit ironic ) Anyway, I think that the surgeon thinks the weight is going to drop off of my breasts and I also think he is going to be in for a big surprise when it doesn't. (And no, I didn't point blank ask him if this was the reason for the weight loss -- I was too embarrassed). Bottom line -- has anyone else been told to lose weight before their surgery?

2. I've read past posts about the pros and cons of wearing a bra after surgery and, considering my size, I think I'm definitely going to need one. My questions are: Do I want the band to be larger or the cups? Does your chest actually become swollen along the sternum? I'm worried that the weight of my breasts (each one is approximately six pounds) will pull terribly. How do I avoid that ten-pound lifting limit when it's my own chest? I realize that this is a little unusual but I'd appreciate any comments that you may have.

Lastly: sorry for the long post and thanks for listening.
Rita

 

[Ross]

Hello and welcome to the zipper club.

Until the ladies get on here and address this, your stuck with me.

I've never heard of a Surgeon asking anyone to lose weight unless they are extremely overweight and it may pose a danger during surgery.

As for the other, I'll let the women answer, but no matter what you use, it's not going to be comfortable at all. You may be better off with nothing.

 

[Mary]

You'll want your band to be bigger. You will have an incision line that goes down between you breasts (beyond the bottom of the bra band) plus chest tube holes that are right under your bra. Wearing a bra, you will be touching the stitches and dressings. You want a larger band size so it doesn't rub as much.

No, never heard of a surgeon saying to lose weight before surgery. I don't know why large breasts would make much difference. They put you into a position where nothing interferes with the surgical field; size of the breasts won't change that.

Hope this helps.
Mary

 

[Curtsmum]

If i was you i would go back and ask why he wants you to loose the weight, the breast seem to be the problem as you say your not over weight and if you loose the weight, it wont come off your breast anyway.Go back. Paula x

 

[KristiinSD]

This sounds crazy!

This sounds crazy!

I am obese and no one has suggested that I lose weight before surgery, except that my cardiologist said it would make surgery easier on me. I am also large breasted and though an old (stretched out) sports bra would be a comfort after surgery, but I too worry about the weight of my breasts pulling on the incision and sternum. My surgeon shares my concern so is going to use a minimally invasive approach to reduce overall incision size. Perhaps you want to consider that as well?

Kristi
mr
surgery by robot?

 

[Diesel]

Rita!

Rita!

Rita:

I was just wondering where you are having your surgery? And what exactly are they going to do for you? A valve replacement? Best of luck to you. I hope you have enjoyed this site. It sure has helped me!!

Take Care
Diesel

 

[RitaAnn]

Thanks all!

Thanks all!

Thank you Ross for the warm welcome and thank you all for your replies. This site has already been such a great help to me.

Diesel, I'm scheduled for a mitral valve repair on December 1st at Brigham and Women's in Boston, Massachusetts. My doctor is Lawrence Cohn. My cardiologist in New Hampshire sent me to Boston saying that it was a better place to do a valve repair than NH and that Cohn was one of the best in the area.

Kristi, I asked if a keyhole procedure could be done and he replied that he doesn't do them. He said that having a larger area to work with could guarantee a better repair. He will be doing a use a minimally invasive approach with an incision of about three or four inches.

 

[RitaAnn]

One other thing...

One other thing...

Also, thanks Mary. That's exactly what I was wondering about. I noticed that some of the posts mention a front closure bra. I would think that that would interfere with the stitches more. On the other hand I get it that I won't be able to do the hooks in the rear (at least not for a while). Any thoughts?

 

[rbl1999]

Hi and welcome.... I have also never heard of having to lose weight.. I am not large breasted , but am still not able to wear a bra, I am 3 months post op,and wear a camilsole that is made out of a lightweight tee shirt material, you may want to think about that when you do not have to go out, it would give you some support . I bought them a Kmart and they are great... Good luck and keep us updated.. Rose

 

[tobagotwo]

Brigham and Womens is excellent, always in the top five, and Dr. Cohn is well-known. He does do minimally invasive surgery. Here's from an earlier post from Phyllis, with a link to him doing exactly that (probably for an aortic valve):

Here's a video of Dr. Cohn at Brigham's doing minimally invasive surgery:
http://www.or-live.com/BrighamandWomens/1127/
__________________
Phyllis and Dick Gruskin
Dick: Minimally Invasive AVR December 18, 2003
Edwards Magna Perimount Valve #3000
Brigham and Women's Hosp. Boston, MA
Dr. Lawrence Cohn

Best wishes,

 

[joanne6]

Hi Rita Ann

Hi Rita Ann

Welcome. I am fairly new also. I had a mitral valve repair at University of Maryland Hospital in August. I had minimally invasive surgery but the incision is under the breast and sternum was not broken.
Bra was out of the question for weeks. In my case the weather was still warm and I wore no bra with dark colored tanks or tees and a light sweater. Bought several things to try-sports bra larger than my size, still can't wear that. Camisoles are nice, found some very soft cotton ones that worked to give a tiny bit of support. Finally about 6 weeks after surgery I found a "Bralette" at Macys. They are very soft, $13 and come in small, med and large instead of actual bra sizes.
After initial healing has taken place you will feel better with some support but give yourself time.
Hope this helps.
Joanne

 

[Cris N]

You know, I just had a thought on this whole bra thing. How about a 1 piece swim suit with a built in bra? Because it doesn't really work the same way perhaps it wouldn't irritate as much. It's kind of on the same principle as a camisole but it might offer a bit more support. Another thought would be a bra several sizes larger & then put some padding material under the band. I'd sure try these out before the surgery to get them sized correctly.

I do agree that you'll probably want some support - especially when it comes to trying to lay on your side. Even with an average size the 'weight' pulled & made things uncomfortable.

Cris

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Do you have a recliner that you can sleep in?

Most patients (Male and Female) find sleeping flat in bed uncomfortable for the first 2 or 3 weeks, until the sternum becomes more stable. Laying on one's side can put stress on the chest. It is also more difficult to get up from a horizontal position, either on your back or your side.

Another option would be to rent an adjustable (hospital type) bed. You may want to see if your insurance would cover that.

'AL Capshaw'

 

[RitaAnn]

Yes, we have a recliner and we've already put it in our bedroom. You all have definitely had some good ideas. I'll be heading out to Macy's this week and see if I can find the "bralettes". I also like the idea of a one-piece bathing suit. (Maybe one of my old ones will work.) Or maybe the tee shirts with the built in shelf bra.

Once again, many thanks.
RitaAnn

 

[Mary]

I wear bathing suits alot (I'm a swimmer) and it is hard getting them on and off for awhile due to the tugging and pulling involved.
And you would need to get it up and down to use the bathroom and to take your shower.
Maybe a tankini would work, but I'm dubious about a one piece.

 

[geebee]

I have seen camisoles with "cup-like" designs. They would not offer as much support as a bra but would provide some positional "holding". I have had t-shirts with built in bras but they still had the band under the breasts that cause the problem with the incision.

You could also try the one piece undergarment that has the snap crotch (have no idea what they are called) but it would prevent having to remove the garment to use the bathroom. You should be able to find them in the lingerie department.

 

[Cris N]

I went in search of this topic and found some rather interesting things. A growing number of hospitals are providing 'surgical' bras for women heart patients. Several sources recommended front closure bras - apparently there are some that have a layer of material keeping the closure from making contact with the skin. And then I discovered this: http://www.goldainc.com/

They make a bra and a vest - I found the bra on another site http://adaptations4u.com/moreinfo.php?id=237 for $47.99

 

[Mary]

Good Job!
Their product looks like it would be great for women wanting/needing to wear a bra after surgery.

 

[KristiinSD]

WOW! this looks great!

WOW! this looks great!

Thanks for doing the research. I want one for post surgery!

 

[RitaAnn]

Just the perfect thing!

Just the perfect thing!

Chris, The surgi-vest looks so perfect!. I'm ordering one this afternoon (after I get home from work). Thank you for doing the research. It's exactly what I was looking for.