Drains hurt especially after about a week. I didn't have much pain because the plastic surgeon who did my reconstruction was the researcher and one of the few now who uses Botox injected into the chest muscle to paralyzed it. The hospital stay is about 2-4 days but I went home the next morning. Also see if you can get a camisole that has pockets to put in drains in and have lots a safety pins. Take the netting home its great to pin the drains to when you want to take a shower.

Best wishes to you! I am 5 weeks out from mine. My surgeon also numbed my pectoral muscles, so the muscle pain didnt really kick in there until day 5 and by then I was already feeling a bit better so it balanced out. I stayed in the hospital 2 nights (highly recommend) and brought some cucumber facial wipes to the hospital and they were great to feel more human since you cant shower etc. I also brought a robe bc they want you up and walking asap. Otherwise I just wore the hospital gown and socks. I bought a few Champion front zip long sleeve tops from Target (sort of like light weight exercise jackets) and they conveniently have inside pockets so I just tucked the drains in there (a snug fit but easiest option for me). I brought one to the hospital with sweats to wear home and I lived in those tops and they looked cute and are comfortable. I wore my felt clogs for a few days bc I didnt want to mess with laces. I also bought a total of 4 surgical type bras that fasten in the front with no underwire. Make sure the nurse shows your caregiver how to "strip the drains" so they are comfortable doing it and take a pain pill before gettibg the drains removed. I also took a pain pill before each expansion of my expanders (if you are having those) because I found the expansion process painful. Expect to be constipated while you are on pain medicine and buy Miralax (also stock up on Tylenol) and drink a lot of water. Listen to your body and your doctor. Once I got home I really focused on walking and resting. Try to put everything at counter level that you might need. My husband lowered the glasses so I could grab a cup without straining. Even several weeks out, I still needed someone else to open the refrigerator (it is a really heavy door) and sometimes push me up to a standing position from the sofa. But no more -- now at 5 weeks I actually feel really good (the expanders just hurt a little at night and sometimes I get up for a tylenol). I think the key was following my doctors instructions to walk A LOT and also stretch my arms up against the wall like you are making a snow angel. You will get through it.

I asked my breast surgeon to write a script for a hospital bed and my insurance covered a lot of the expense. I was able to get up and down more readily and I didn't disturb my husband all night long with my constant movement. Even after my drains were removed I couldn't wash my hair because I couldn't lift my arms enough so I splurged and found a decent (not expensive) place to wash and blow-out my hair a couple of times a week. I felt like crap but my hair looked nice!

There are surgical and front closing with eye-hook bras that are sold at specialty stores but I was able to find the same no-underwire eye-hook bras at Walmart for about $10 each.

Just had bmx 4 days ago...back scratcher a definite must have. Cleansing wipes til have strength for sponge baths, notebook to record when to take or when you did take medication. Camisole with pockets has been a godsend. Extra pillows. Remember to use leg muscles not abs/pecs to get up. I also put clothing I would need in a convenient place so didnt have to reach. Extension cord for phone/tablets chargers. Paper plates, bowls, cups etc. Easier for cleanup and lighter to pick up