What to wear after a cystectomy? Your guide to comfortable recovery clothing

Recovering from a major surgery like a cystectomy can take several weeks, during which your comfort is a top priority. Knowing exactly what to wear after a cystectomy is a critical, yet often overlooked, part of ensuring a smooth and pain-free healing process.

Quick Summary

After a cystectomy, opt for loose, soft, and stretchy clothing with easy closures to accommodate incisions and potential ostomy sites. Choosing garments that are non-restrictive and breathable is key for promoting comfort and proper healing during recovery.

Key Points

• Soft, Loose Fabrics: Prioritize soft, breathable materials like cotton and bamboo to avoid irritating surgical sites and to manage moisture effectively.

• Accommodate Medical Devices: If you have an ostomy, choose loose-fitting, high-waisted garments and adaptive underwear to prevent compression and ensure comfort.

• Opt for Easy Closures: Shirts with buttons, snaps, or zippers are ideal, as are pull-on pants with flexible elastic waistbands, to minimize straining when dressing.

• Adaptive Wear for Added Convenience: Consider specialized adaptive clothing with side snaps or zippers for maximum ease, especially in the early stages of recovery.

• Listen to Your Body: If any clothing causes pressure, rubbing, or discomfort, opt for an even looser and softer alternative. Your comfort is the primary factor in a smooth recovery.

Prioritizing Post-Surgical Comfort

After a cystectomy, your body is in a state of healing, and your choice of clothing can significantly impact your comfort and recovery. The primary goals are to minimize pressure on surgical incisions, accommodate any drains or ostomy equipment, and make the process of dressing and undressing as easy as possible. A radical cystectomy, which involves removing the entire bladder, will also require adapting to a urinary diversion, such as an ileal conduit or neobladder, which further influences clothing needs. By focusing on specific garment features, you can reduce discomfort and support your body's natural healing.

General Clothing Principles for Recovery

• Choose Loose-Fitting Garments: Tight or restrictive clothing can rub against and irritate surgical wounds, cause pain, and increase swelling. Opt for loose-fitting tops and bottoms that give you ample room to move without pressure on your abdomen.
• Prioritize Soft, Breathable Fabrics: Materials like soft cotton, bamboo, and modal are gentle on sensitive skin and help regulate temperature. They also wick away moisture, reducing the risk of skin irritation around incisions or an ostomy site. Avoid rough, scratchy materials that could cause friction.
• Select Easy-to-Wear Styles: With limited mobility and potential pain after surgery, garments with simple closures are ideal. Look for pull-on pants with wide, flexible waistbands, zip-up or button-down shirts, and adaptive clothing with snaps or Velcro. This eliminates the need for twisting or straining to get dressed.

Accommodating Your Urinary Diversion

The type of urinary diversion you have will influence your clothing choices. A radical cystectomy requires a new way for urine to exit the body, and the two main methods are an ileal conduit (urostomy) or a neobladder.

Dressing with an Ileal Conduit (Urostomy)

An ileal conduit requires an external pouching system to collect urine via a stoma.

• Protect the Stoma and Pouch: Clothing should be loose enough to not compress the stoma or pouch, which can cause irritation or affect output. Compression can also increase the risk of leakage.
• Look for High-Waisted Pants: High-waisted pants and underwear can provide extra support and help secure the pouch discreetly. Avoid low-rise styles that may hit directly on the stoma site.
• Use Pouch Covers: Fabric pouch covers can offer an extra layer of discretion and prevent the pouch from rubbing against your skin. They come in various styles and can be worn with your regular clothes.

Dressing with a Neobladder

A neobladder is an internal pouch made from a piece of intestine, which is connected to the urethra. This type of diversion does not require an external pouch, but you may experience temporary incontinence, especially at night.

• Focus on Abdominal Comfort: Loose, soft clothing is still essential to protect the abdominal incision as it heals. Avoid tight waistbands that could cause discomfort or impede healing.
• Manage Incontinence Discreetly: If you experience leakage, wear absorbent underwear or pads. Look for underwear made from soft, breathable materials to prevent skin irritation.

Specific Clothing Recommendations

• Tops: During the initial recovery, button-down pajama tops or loose T-shirts are excellent choices. Tear-away tops with side snaps are also available for maximum ease of use.
• Bottoms: Soft sweatpants, drawstring pants, or loose pajama pants with elasticized waistbands are ideal. Adaptive pants with side-zippers can be a lifesaver, especially for individuals with limited mobility.
• Underwear: For ostomy patients, special ostomy underwear and support belts are available to hold the pouch securely. For those with a neobladder, absorbent briefs made from soft materials will provide comfort and security.
• Footwear: Slip-on shoes or comfortable sneakers are recommended to avoid bending over to tie laces during early recovery.

Recommended Fabrics for Your Post-Cystectomy Wardrobe

• Cotton: A classic choice for its softness, breathability, and durability.
• Bamboo: Known for its silky texture, moisture-wicking properties, and breathability.
• Modal: A semi-synthetic fabric made from beech tree pulp, prized for its exceptional softness and smoothness.
• Jersey Knit: A soft, stretchy fabric that provides flexibility and comfort.

Dressing Tips for a Smoother Recovery

1. Plan your outfit ahead of time. This helps minimize stress and effort when dressing.
2. Dress while seated. Sitting down to put on pants and shoes reduces the risk of falls and minimizes strain on your abdomen.
3. Use a pillow for support. When coughing, sneezing, or laughing, holding a pillow against your incision can help provide comfort and support.
4. Embrace adaptive wear. Don't feel you have to struggle with standard clothing. Adaptive garments are designed specifically for post-operative recovery and can make a huge difference.
5. Listen to your body. If a certain garment feels restrictive or causes discomfort, change it. Your comfort is the priority as you heal.

Comparison: Adaptive vs. Standard Clothing

Feature	Adaptive Clothing	Standard Clothing
Ease of Dressing	Highly convenient, often with snap or velcro closures, side openings.	Can be difficult to put on due to limited mobility or pain from incisions.
Comfort	Specifically designed to be loose, soft, and non-restrictive for sensitive post-op areas.	Standard fit may not accommodate swelling, incisions, or ostomy sites, potentially causing discomfort.
Accommodating Devices	Built-in features like internal pockets or special cuts to discreetly hold ostomy bags.	May not fit well over ostomy equipment, leading to potential rubbing and irritation.
Cost	Can be more expensive due to specialized design and materials.	Generally more affordable and widely available in stores.
Appearance	Modern adaptive wear is stylish and discreet, blending well with regular clothes.	Appearance is not specifically affected, but garments may be loose-fitting out of necessity.

Conclusion

Post-cystectomy recovery requires a shift in priorities, and that includes your wardrobe. By opting for loose-fitting, soft, and easily manageable clothing, you can reduce discomfort, protect your surgical sites, and focus on healing. Whether you choose standard clothes with the right features or invest in adaptive wear, prioritizing comfort is the most important fashion choice you can make during this time. For more information on what to expect after a cystectomy, consult the resources provided by the Mayo Clinic.

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of clothing is best for the first week after a cystectomy?

In the first week, when you have limited mobility and incisions are most sensitive, the best options are loose, button-up or snap-closure tops and soft, wide-legged pants with a very gentle elastic waistband. Adaptive tear-away clothing can be particularly helpful.

Should I avoid wearing tight underwear after a cystectomy?

Yes, you should avoid tight underwear. Choose soft, high-waisted briefs that do not constrict your abdomen or press on any incision sites or ostomy appliances. Adaptive underwear with side closures is another comfortable option.

What fabrics are most comfortable for sensitive skin after surgery?

Soft, natural, and breathable fabrics are best. Recommended materials include 100% cotton, bamboo, and modal, as they are gentle on the skin and help prevent irritation.

Can I wear my regular pants after cystectomy surgery?

You can, but it depends on the fit. Standard pants with stiff waistbands or zippers should be avoided initially. Opt for loose-fitting sweatpants or pants with soft, stretchy elastic waistbands that sit comfortably above or below your abdominal incisions.

Are there special clothes for people with an ostomy after a cystectomy?

Yes, there are a variety of adaptive and specialized clothes designed for ostomy patients. This includes ostomy support wear, high-waisted garments, and underwear with internal pockets to secure the pouch and provide discretion.

What kind of shoes should I wear after a cystectomy?

Wear slip-on shoes or comfortable sneakers that don't require bending over to tie laces. This reduces strain on your abdominal muscles and helps prevent falls when you are still recovering.

How can I prevent my clothes from irritating my incision or stoma?

Choose loose-fitting garments made from soft, non-abrasive fabrics. Ensure that your clothing does not rub or put pressure on the healing area. If you have an ostomy, use a pouch cover or support belt to protect the stoma from friction.