Thank you!

I had a double mastectomy 8/2022 with plastic surgeon and breast surgeon working together and expanders placed during the mastectomy. I am a teacher and I went back to work after 2 weeks but it was the teacher workdays at the beginning of the year. I had a week to adjust to working, then the kids returned and I did fine.

I needed only over the counter pain medication but I used the extra strength and I took it right on schedule. I was given stronger pain meds, but I did not use them. I was given strong pain meds in the hospital though and they can cause constipation. Buy some stool softener and maybe prune juice or prunes. I started eating prunes a few days ahead of time. I had no issues.

I recommend buying a post - mastectomy pillow. I got mine off Amazon (Zomaple Mastectomy Pillow - Post surgery) You will need shirts and PJs that button up the front. If you will not have a caregiver with you, then get all your food down on the counter before surgery. You won't want to be lifting your arms up to reach cabinets. Also have small size liquid containers. You don't want to be trying to lift a gallon of milk for example.

I slept in a recliner for 4 or 5 nights. Then I switched to the bed but with a wedge pillow purchased at Wal Mart. The wedge pillow keeps you elevated. I used a lot of pillows. I was never a back sleeper, but I had to sleep on my back for about 6 weeks. I put one small pillow under each shoulder to keep me on my back. I also kept one under my knees for comfort.

For a few weeks prior to surgery, I started doing shoulder and arm exercises to loosen them (I was 60 at surgery time). You won't be moving your shoulders much for some time after surgery and you don't want them to get stiff

I had 2 drains. I was given a cloth bag to hang around my neck at the hospital. The drain bulbs went into the bag and it kept them more secure. I was also sent home in a post surgery compression bra that had little hooks for the drain bulbs. I personally liked the bag better. I had to wear the bra for 2 weeks (until the surgery follow up). My drain tubes stayed in 16 days. Some people do not keep them that long.

You will likely get "zingers" of pain for several weeks. Just random pain will shoot thru your chest for a second or two. That is the nerves settling down and readjusting to the new pathways. It is normal.

If someone asks if they can help with anything LET THEM !!!!