my dr was very negative and i have remission of stage 1b breast cancer

I had a bilateral mastectomy at age 60. I was in good health otherwise and no smoking, no alcohol, 10 pounds overweight. I believe pre-surgery health and lifestyle play a role in how quickly you recover. I took no pain medications except Tylenol. I went back to work 2 weeks after surgery (teacher workdays). The students returned at week 4. My co workers and the students helped with any lifting etc. The actual recovery went way better than what I had imagined in my head. Very thankful for how well it went.
The drains were uncomfortable, I still had them in when I returned to work, but only for 3 days at work. I slept in a recliner about 3 or 4 nights. Then I got a wedge pillow from WalMart and slept on that for several weeks. I had small pillows on my left and right for support of my shoulders. I was never a back sleeper so it took some getting used to for sure. I also put a pillow under my knees because it helped my back. I started sleeping on my back a few weeks before the surgery so I could experiment with what was most comfortable. At age 60, I already had joint aches and pains now and then.
I got a double u shaped pillow off Amazon and used it when sleeping/sitting in the recliner and when going somewhere in the car. It was called a mastectomy pillow.
There's a lot to think about and I tend to be a worrier and over thinker. Once the surgery was over, I felt such a relief. Wishing you the best and remember many people do not have the infections, lymph issues, etc. Don't try to overdo anything after surgery. Just rest and heal.

I did the single mastectomy with aesthetic flat closure. I stayed overnight, met with the nurse navigator the next morning who went over the drain care, and discharge instructions, On the way home we stopped in at shop that had ordered in a special bra and very light- poofy fiberfill prosthetic. The shop owner had ordered it for me, but could not process for insurance until after the surgery. She said all I had to do was stop in with the discharge instructions, and that would be it. She is a 4 time cancer survivor, (I think two were bc) so a lot of empathy. Anyway, the bra had pockets that velcro'ed to the underboob band to hold the drains, Once the drains were gone, I could just use the bra with the prosthetic. The drains are not painful- but they can be uncomfortable.

I slept best sitting upright in the recliner with a U-shaped pillow under the arm which reduces the pressure/friction on the surgical site. I had already picked up my Rx meds for pain and had those at home ready to go. But in the hospital, I asked if I could try OTC Tylenol, and since I could not tell the difference between Tylenol and the Rx- I stuck with Tylenol for healing.

I had no issues with seromas, lymphedema, or infections. Everything healed well, and I did not even do any PT as there was no loss of my range of motion. My job was pretty physical, so the surgeon did not want to release me until 5 weeks, but I had started chemo and the oncologist did not want me back at work until at least 2 chemo sessions were done. So, I was off for a total of 8 weeks.

There are restrictions about driving initially, as well as reaching, and lifting restrictions. But I had prepped for that, so it was only minimally inconvenient.

Keeping you in prayers as you navigate through all the info to make the decisions that are right for you! Hugs!

I had a bilateral mastectomy the end of January. The plan was that I be discharged the same day, but the surgery took longer than what is average as I was a 40DDD, which meant that more anastetic was used, which meant it took me a little longer to wake up from the anastetic so they kept me overnight and I was discharged just after breakfast. I had two drains on each side. My range of motion was very limited for the first couple of weeks. My boyfriend had to open things for me for the first couple of weeks as well. I was completely off of any pain medications (including Tylenol or Ibuprofen) two days after surgery. I healed well and didn't have any issues.

I had two lumpectomies at different times. And I had a cousin who I was super close to that had a bilateral mastectomy.
Your doctor is out to lunch but then he has never had one. You are right to check with women who have has one or know someone. My cousin was in bed at home for at least a week after she was discharged from the hospital. You have drains that can hurt and need to be emptied depending how much drainage there is from your wound. You have an incision from one side of your chest to the other with a space in the middle between your breast's. I don't know how big busted you are but that's a factor when they are trying to get all the breast tissue. Bouncing back from anesthesia takes longer the older you are. Hope that doesn't scare you to death. You need to be prepared and have someone to care for you full time at least for a while after you get home from the hospital. They won't keep you inpatient very long.
And that's just the wound care. Remember you will have a day that you will see yourself in the mirror for the first time. It's different for everyone but you will want the option of someone to share with.
Holding you in my heart. 🫂💗😿