Rich with Life

One of my biggest concerns in preparing for surgery was, how am I going to dress myself every day on my own? My mom and boyfriend are at work early, so am I just going to stay in my PJs all day? Not the healthiest thing for your mental state. You don’t realize how important this ADL (activity of daily life) is until you first hand are unable to do it! I talked to my friend who is an OT and her recommendation was to cut up some large shirts I didn’t care about and also just buy some bigger, stretchier shirts that I would be able to get over everything.

What I did:

• I went to Target in the weeks leading up to surgery and rummaged through the clearance section, buying medium and larges (I’m normally a small or XS) in shirts with big necks and stretchy fabric.
  • Most of these went for around $4, but I’m sure you could find stuff at a thrift store or the dollar store for even less.
  • I also bought a medium size spaghetti strap tank that was super stretchy.
• In the mens section I bought some packages of white t-shirts, like Hanes and Fruit of the Loom.
  • These were in medium sizes as well, a couple larges.
  • I opted for the v-neck over the crew neck – and I am so glad I did.
  • Some are cheaper than others, but you won’t regret buying the higher quality cotton in at least a few.
  • Muscular attractive men in their boxers on the front? Count me in! These run around $4/shirt, unless you can find a sale.

Then, I TIE-DYED! This was the absolute best decision I could have made, because it brought fun color and patterns to my dreary few weeks.

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I cut them in different ways to make it easier to get them on, and then I attempted to sew velcrow pieces on. This didn’t go over so well with my sewing machine, as the sticky kind messed with the machine and the non-sticky was just really not easy, at all. I finally got one done and decided to see how I liked it before proceeding.

I did not like it. I ended up using the shirt with the velcro the least because it itched and scratched my skin no matter how carefully I placed it. However, I will say it was nice to have one shirt that I could very independently put on myself without needing to pin. If you are more skilled at sewing – have at it! I did not even try to make zippers… that was much too intimidating.

What I ended up using:

Tops:

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The tie-dye shirts were my absolute favorite and I wore these every day for the first 2 weeks of surgery and most days for the first month in total.

I had about 7 shirts, which was nice to not have to do laundry too regularly.

I wore the mediums (I’m usually a small) most days, but did like the large shirt for surgery day.

The first time I wore a non-homemade shirt was two weeks post-op, but I wore these other shirts rarely. Overall, I barely ever wore the “normal,” larger shirts I bought at Target and actually returned a few when all was said and done.

I never wore button down shirts, despite my big plans to use the newly acquired button hook. It worked, it just took too long and I didn’t need to wear them. Also, I didn’t want to have to thread my arm through the sleeve and never wore long sleeves unless going out, in which case I wore a big jacket.

Bottoms:

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I wore lots of stretchy pajama shorts (easier than pants) when I was at home because there is no buckling, zipping, or buttoning. Shorts and any pants that do not require a fastener are going to be your best bet. I eventually was able to wear jeans on my own, and was able to button and unbutton with both hands.

You will figure out the trick of putting shorts/pants on: 1) hold shorts in unaffected hand on that side of the shorts 2) Put affected side leg into shorts 3) Put unaffected side leg into shorts, using the affected side leg to push out and help pull up with unaffected side. (Don’t worry, you’ll figure it out on your own!!) 😉

How you can make the shirts:

1. Purchase a package of mens v-neck white t-shirts from Target, Walmart, department stores, or grab some thrifty ones at a Goodwill. $~25 for 6 shirts
2. Find a tie-dye kit at your local craft store (Michaels, JoAnns, even Target) and dye the shirts. This one from Michaels dyes up to 15 shirts $20
3. Wash the shirts before wearing them.
4. Cut the shirts in 1 of 2 ways:
   • Cut down the affected arm side including under the armpit all the way down to the bottom. Be careful not to cut the top of the sleeve
   • Cut only the top of the affected arm side sleeve all the way to the neck on the seam
5. Optional: sew velcrow or buttons on both sides of these new cuts
6. Optional: some shirts begin to unravel easier than others if you don’t sew a new seam. Fold each side of the new cuts over and just sew along the side so it doesn’t unravel

Putting shirts on:

• Tie-dye shirts are easy:
  • For the ones cut down the side: put unaffected arm in first, then pull over head. Have someone help safety pin the side (2-3 pins), or add velcrow. If staying at home, pinning down the side isn’t necessary.
  • For the ones with the top cut out: put on from feet up over hips, under sling, and put in unaffected arm. Then pin the top at the neck and above affected shoulder.
• Stretchy non-cut shirts:
  • Always put affected arm in first. Prop sling & arm on pillows, unstrap it, slide the arm through, then over head and lastly the unaffected arm.

Tips:

• Make sure you bring your homemade cut up shirt to the hospital the day of your surgery. I stuck mine in the car the night before, just in case we forgot the morning of.
  • I brought the shirt that was cut on top of the shoulder, and we pulled it up from my legs toward my chest, but either version will work.
• Wear a strapless bra to the hospital (and some granny panties, not a thong. It’s gonna get personal when your drugged up). I thought I would be wearing sports bras, but it really doesn’t work at all. They are too tight and have to go through both arms.
• I really highly recommend the v-neck tee’s because it’s easier to get over your head
• For the ladies: I wore a bandeau bra the first week of surgery and whenever I was home for the first month. My thin frame made it easy for me to slide it up and over my hips. However, the other options is a front clasp bra, which I wore after the first week whenever I left the house. I would invest in a couple of these (I bought mine on amazon).
• I was lucky to have pretty warm weather during my recovery, but if you’re having surgery in a cooler season, try to find ¾ length stretchy fabric shirts. Yoga pants or sweatpants are great, keeping in mind you won’t be able to tie, button, or zip.
• For some more ideas or pre-made shirts you can buy, check out my pinterest board for surgery. There are some folks on Etsy who make shirts for shoulder surgeries as well as mastectomy and these may be more convenient for some, but are definitely pricier.

Making these tie-dyed really brought so much color and happiness to my days after surgery. I was almost sad to be healed and out of the sling because I couldn’t wear my comfy t-shirts anymore!!

Are you having shoulder surgery? See parts 1, 2, and 3 of my journey with tips on the blog.

And of course, healing vibes being sent your way! ❤

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