Waking Up After Surgery - What Was Your Experience?

Bearhitch

Waking Up After Surgery - What Was Your Experience?

Bearhitch

I posted previously about getting the drains removed just to feel like I have an idea of what to expect and now I am wondering what everyone's experience was waking up right after surgery?  Like, what did you feel like and how much pain would you say that you were in?  What were the first days like afterwards for you?  How much help did you need?  The only surgeries I have ever had would be three c-sections so, I only have that to compare to.  

I think one thing that makes this surgery scary is not having any idea of what to expect.  I have no idea what I will look like without breasts and that is scary.  I've been getting a few shirts that I could never wear now because of having larger breasts and wrote a letter to my future self for the day that I can't remember why I did this to myself.  I just think it would be easier knowing what other people's experiences were like to have an idea of what to expect the best I can.  

sarahjane7374

Waking up after surgery is surreal.  I felt fine - not nauseous or headachy - but in quite a bit of pain.  Not to scare you, but to be honest it felt like a grenade went off in my chest.  I've delivered 5 babies and this pain was right up there with labor.  I don't know if I'd say worse, but comparable. I had reconstruction though, so that may be part of it.

The first few days were pretty rough.  I spent 2 nights in the hospital and took full advantage of my morphine drip.  I felt ok as long as I didn't move.  But transitioning from sitting up to lying down, or trying to stand, use the bathroom, dress, etc. was hard and I needed help with most of it.  Once home, I spent a couple days on the couch and then gradually started moving around.  My PS told me that if I sat around and did nothing, it would take longer to heal.  So I did start taking short walks around the block and sat outside within a couple days of coming home.   My drains were removed on day 6.  The day I got my drains pulled I walked 5 miles.

For me the bad pain didn't last very long - I went back to work 10 days after my surgery, but I realistically could have gone back a couple days sooner but decided to work from home instead.  I opened my swimming pool and planted my vegetable garden during the time I was off work.  I feel like I had pretty much a best case scenario recovery.  I listened to what my doctors told me and followed their instructions to the letter, and that worked out well for me.  Everybody's different.

Good luck.  When is your surgery?

Edited to add - I was home by myself during the day.  My mother made meals for us, which was completely awesome.  So I didn't have help during the day - but I didn't really need it either.  Nice to not have to cook for a while, though.

aunt_paula

I had a BMX at the end of January this year. I was really worried about what it would be like waking up in terms of pain--it was not anything like I had imagined (I thought I would be in excruciating pain). I had a morphine pump and used it twice in the first several hours after surgery. It helped tremendously that I was in a binder. I was awake, talking, felt much more like myself than I'd expected to. A few hours after surgery I got up to to to the bathroom and decided to take a walk, and each time I got up I added a lap or two. I had heard/read that the drains were a pain to deal with, but they weren't bad (my husband did most of the drain stuff), and getting them out was not painful at all (I had also heard that it would be, and was really nervous about it). I found it much easier in terms of pain, and recovery, than my c-section. I did have a little nausea as I was first waking up, but the nurse gave me something and it wasn't a problem again. My husband stayed with me and helped me tremendously, and once I was home for the first few days he made sure I had what I needed, and probably within a week I was getting around pretty much on my own (food/showers/etc), with him as backup.

I was also unsure how I would feel seeing my incisions. It was strange in some ways, but not upsetting, which I thought it would be. There will be a lot of swelling at first, so the appearance will change a lot over the weeks after surgery. Now my scars look pretty flat, though I have some adhesions that are kind of puckered, but massage seems to be helping flatten them. 

Button-front shirts were easiest for me at first, but I was able to put on pullovers within a couple of weeks. I got a robe specifically to use after surgery, and it zipped, which was easy too. I got it thinking I could use it after reconstruction too, but am glad not to be needing it again.  

It is different, seeing myself, but not in the ways I thought it would be. I grieved before surgery, but afterward I was ok. I am much less modest than I used to be--at occupational therapy one day the therapist was leaving so I could get dressed, and I told her that if she was uncomfortable, she could certainly leave, but that for me it was kind of like someone seeing my elbow now. 

I was back at work (teaching a class two mornings a week) about two weeks after surgery, then the next week was back almost full-time, and at four weeks was back full-time. I was tired, and needed a lot more rest than normally, but felt good overall.

River_Rat

I never had a c-section but I did have a complete hysterectomy that was done abdominally and that was way more painful than my bmx. They had me on a morphine drip right after my bmx which upset me because I told them they make me sick...sure enough they had to give me something to stop the vomiting. Once home I would say rather than in pain I was just uncomfortable. Part of that was dealing with the drains, part was learning to sleep on my back. I slept in a recliner for the first couple of weeks to make sure I wouldn't roll over - also had pillows under my arms to elevate them and because the recliner was big and needed a little "filling in" for me to be comfortable. I avoided dealing with the drains, they were the only thing that grossed me out - I don't deal well with blood. I was lucky to have a visiting nurse once most days and my husband took care of them the rest of the time.

One thing that I did that I believe really helped me with the adjustment is I looked at a lot of pictures of mastectomies before my surgery and after my surgery I went in to the bathroom and looked at my chest in the mirror several times a day. Watching my scars improve and learning to have imprinted in my mind what my body is now like somehow helped mentally. I know this would be difficult for some but it was very helpful to me. Also being comfortable with looking at myself made it easier for me to be open with my husband. He was comfortable with the bmx from the beginning but I think if I weren't comfortable with myself it would have been too easy to withdraw from him and would have made things awkward.

Celtic_Spirit

I had my tonsils out when I was six. I don't remember much about it except my throat hurt for a couple of days.

My next surgery (42 years later) was auxiliary node dissection. I had no idea how I would react to the surgery. I had a lot of trouble coming out of the anesthesia. The nurses kept telling me to breathe deeply, but that made me more nauseous. I slipped in and out of consciousness for several hours. I was nauseous and groggy for more than 12 hours after surgery. It was miserable.

When it was time for my BMX, I talked to a nurse friend about my surgical experience. She told me to demand they give me an anti-nausea drug called Zofran in my IV. They did, and I'm telling you, it made a world of difference. I came out of the anesthesia and within minutes I was alert and breathing fine. They offered me ginger ale and crackers, and I gobbled them down! I would have eaten a whole pizza had it been offered. So if you don't know whether or not anesthesia makes you nauseous, ask for Zofran.

I didn't have any pain in my chest when I woke up. The surgeon gave me vicodin, which I took as needed for the next week. My arms and chest were stiff, and my boyfriend had to help me get out of bed. I also couldn't lift my arms very high, so he helped me shower and washed my hair. If you don't have help at home, go to a local hair salon and ask them to wash your hair for you. When I woke up, they had already put a compression garment around my chest to prevent swelling. It wasn't uncomfortable.

Prior to surgery, I bought a few shirts and a light robe that buttoned or snapped in the front. This was very helpful, as I couldn't raise my arms over my head. My boyfriend still had to help me get dressed, esp. pulling up pants and putting on shoes and socks. He also carried anything heavy, like laundry baskets and kitty litter.

Also, take a pillow with you to the hospital and leave it in the car. You'll want to put that between yourself and the seat belt on the drive home. I also used a small pillow to place between my chest and the seat belt when I began driving again, and I used that for around a month.

I'm a fast healer. After a week, I was back to walking a mile a day. I went back to work after two weeks. I hiked a tall mountain six weeks following my BMX. Go by what your body says, not by anyone else's timetable. Also, ask your surgeon about arm exercises so you can start getting your range of motion back. I think I started mine at around two weeks post-surgery.

AmyQ

I had an easy time of it too. It must be my Irish blood but when I woke up I asked the nurse when they were going to get started. I had no pain or nausea which in my mind is waayyy worse. I wanted to feel I had a little piece of home with me so I brought my favorite pj's so I didn't have to wear the dreadful hospital gown. My least favorite part of the recovery was blowing into the spirometer. They kept after me to do it several times a day until I was at acceptable levels. 

Good luck to you and don't be afraid to ask for pain meds if you need them...no point trying to prove how strong you are. In fact I think it delays your healing and certainly your well being.

Oh goodness, I hope you don't mind my posting here. Even with TE's I still had a decent experience immediately following the surgery.

Amy

DiveCat

I know this is the no-recon, but I think some things are similar, AND I think some things you would experience even better as you would not be having recon. My BSs and PSs always told me recovery without recon is much "easier" than with recon.

This was my first surgery ever, and first time under GA. Childfree, so never been in labour or had a c-section so cannot compare to that.

I woke up in the recovery room. I knew where I was. I knew the surgery was over. I could feel a lot of pressure on my chest (I did have recon direct to implant). Not any pain at that point as the morphine and fentanyl were probably still in my system from surgery. I was already on IV, and had been given 3 different anti-nausea drugs during surgery as well. There was a nurse there who checked on me and sat and talked with me frequently. She gave me some sips of water. 

I was moved to the floor about an hour later. I did still feel a bit groggy and tired. The pressurized compression leg sleeves they had put on me In surgery remained on for several hours after surgery. I liked them, but apparently some people hate them. The pain and nausea kicked in a while after that, and I started getting Percocet a little later and Zofran IVs. The pain that first few hours/day was pretty intense. It was a combo of pain from incisions and from pressure/swelling. It did take about a day to get pain and nausea in control. I never actually threw up, but would feel nauseous after the pain medication. I tend to get nauseous pretty easy though when I take meds, and apparently breast surgery also itself often causes nausea. I never got a catheter, so was up and walking to the bathroom within 2 hours after surgery and then up and peeing often...the IV fluids kept me hydrated! I was not fast, but could shuffle my way to bathroom and go by myself, and sometimes did a couple extra laps around halls before going back to bed. It could be a real effort to get in and out of the bed, as could not use arms, but was doable. I would get tired moving my IV pole around at first. Lifting my water cup could tire me out the first day. I did nap a lot that first day. 

I spent one night in the hospital. I needed most of help at home the first day or so I could wash my face, brush my teeth, feed the cat, take my meds, do my own drains (strip and empty and record), but I needed help opening heavy doors, getting into vehicles, brushing hair into a ponytail. Mostly I had limited arm movement, little strength and was easily fatigued the first two days. I did still feel pain these first few days, lots of it due to swelling though. After that I could do most things, but needed help washing my hair or opening certain lids. Now I just need help with heavy doors, lifting heavy things, reaching high things, many household chores, grocery shopping (can't drive or lift heavy bags!) and will for a long while yet (but again, I had recon so your recommendations may differ....just because I can do something does not mean I should due to my recon). My mum and stepfather were here a few days, but really they were more company (and cooking yummy food) as I was pretty capable. My husband was/has been awesome on helping me wash, change dressings, brush my hair, pick up stuff from store, get me water, fluff my pillows, do the laundry, whatever I need, etc. I am home on my own most of day and am fine. I watch TV, read, go for long walks, do some work from home, fix a snack, pet the cat, etc. I don't really nap in the day at all at this point. I feel much, much better than expected. Since I got my drains out yesterday (which were a bit uncomfortable at incision site and needed draining obviously) there has been an even more drastic improvement, today I have actually been pain free (have been on OTC painkillers since Sunday). I think the drain tubes snaking over my implants were probably a source of some of the pain and pressure. It was easy peasy having them removed. I am not in to rush to get back to work in the office, but expect to be back in 3 weeks at least part time, 4 weeks full at latest. I could likely go back at 2 but I want to give myself time. My job is a bit stressful and I am trying to a avoid the stress for a couple weeks and give myself a break (which is not that effective since I have done some work at home last couple days).

Oh, I started walking longer distances three days after my surgery, even with drains. 4-6 miles a day. My first day I walked almost 6 miles, over 2 walks. My PS is fine with it, as long as I take an easier pace. I was pretty active before surgery, and expect to be back at my almost regular routine in 4-6 weeks which includes running. I have to remind myself on my walks the past couple days I am not allowed to run...ha, as I seem to forget at times I just had surgery. Some things might be longer though because of requirements (like having to lift heavy scuba tanks may mean that is more like 3-4 months away as I do not want to overstrain my pecs and my recon).

I did not find the appearance of my chest disturbing, but again I had recon so not sure how I would have felt waking up flat. Okay if that was what I wanted I imagine, as I had considered if. I had lots of bruising, stitches under IMF (steri strips over too though) and things were obviously still riding high, but I was very well prepared and actually thought my chest looked much better than I expected. I had seen lots of photos before of post surgery reconstruction (like immediately after) so that prepared me. I go look at my chest a few times a day in the mirror and even take pictures to watch progression. I find my chest and incisions quite interesting, actually. My husband has also made if clear he thinks I already look great, so that helps. He was not disturbed by my appearance at all, and he is always very honest with me. It has really, really helped that I knowingly had his 100% support and agreement in this decision, and has reassured me many times. That was very, very important to me. I also know he would have supported me if I went flat, and has said the same, he is ultimately relieved I have reduced my risk.

I was worried about my recovery, but really, I have been incredibly surprised by how I felt even days afterward. Not what I expected. Prepare for worst, hope for best?

Ariom

I had a Umx, and I had a really easy time too. I went from the SNB, which I was terrified of initially, because of all the negative things I had been told about it, but it turned out to be absolutely painless.  I was taken straight up to surgery after that experience and I felt like I was bullet proof. I actually joked around with the team as they were preparing to begin the surgery. I guess it was the adrenalin, but even when I woke up after the surgery, I felt fantastic. I was starving, but my throat was so dry from the breathing tube, I couldn't swallow straight away.

I did have my usual reaction to anesthetic which is a strange sensation if I try to sleep. I have hallucinations that are like a kind of evil cartoon, not too pleasant, so I spent the night walking the halls and having coffee with the Nurses. I felt no pain so didn't need any pain killers at all, not then or after I got home. When my Surgeon and Anesthetist arrived early in the morning the compression bandage was removed and I was told I looked great, I could go home. That was less than 24 hours after I had arrived there. I remember calling my Husband and saying "I feel amazing, come get me!" I even went to the mall on the way home, with my drain stashed in a shoulder bag.

When we arrived home, I was a little concerned about how my Husband might react to my pretty brutal looking chest, but he just took one look and said "Wow! that will heal really well, and you don't need 2 boobs to be gorgeous!"

I had no pain at all, just strange sensations, but did have a couple of issues during the healing time with Cording and a Seroma and an infection in the incision line. None were a major issue and although I could drop off to sleep very easily during the day for a while, it was a really very uneventful surgery. My drain was out in about 6 days. I did choose to have a revision surgery for a "Dog Ear" about a year after my Mx and it was a great success.

I was amazed by the experience, both physically and emotionally, it was not at all what I expected. I know the very honest, positive reaction from my Husband gave me a huge confidence boost and memories of my Mother who had a Radical Mx in '94 and the way she handled her experience must have imprinted on me too.

I am now just over 16 months out and all is well. I have no regrets about my choices, I am grateful that there weren't any surprises in my final pathology and after having a couple of follow up appointments and a Mammogram which was clear, I have settled into my New Normal.

flannelette

Had a modified radical UMx. Had a "24 hr pain block" - I guess that might also be called an upper back epidural - sitting up - felt like a very dull corkscrew with no pain at all, going into my back. My anesthetist offered it to me last minute, telling me I'd be very happy I had it. Plus then of course regular anesthetic. 

Woke up bright as a berry, not a lick of pain then, now, or ever. I mean, not even a tylenol. went up to my room, all wrapped snuggly in warmed flannelette sheets, ate part of a supper my husband scrounged for me as I was starving, then a whole other supper. Not a hint of nausea.

 Read the newspaper, slept, got up early morning, walked to the end of the hall with my IV to watch a helicopter land with a patient . they unhooked my IV, I had breakfast, was out of there just after noon. Stopped at the pharmacy on the way home. oh yes, around midnight during my stay the nurse offered me a morphine injection, which I felt I had no need of, but I took it "just in case". Once home I felt no pain at all, and we get home visits every day by a nurse, in Ontario. Weird, losing certain sensations and having numbness in odd places, but no pain. if offered the 24 hour block, take it!

My drains were in for a very long time, and still in about 4 weeks later when I saw my surgeon for the follow-up, and with no warning he just grabbed my drain and ripped it out in one fell swoop, saying "these things have a tendency to grow roots". I could have screamed and punched him, it was so sudden and hurt so much! But he knew it was better that way, in 10 seconds it was over and I would have been a nervous wreck had I known ahead that it was going to feel like he was ripping a tree out of my chest. but that was only because it had been in so long. I see most people have no problem at all. The way I see it, a MX is not invasive surgery, they are just basically taking away extra body fat, and i was very surprised, considering how terrrible I always imagine surgery to be, how really, it was the easiest part of my treatment (except for rads , which for me were piece of cake) For instance, little did I know that 5 years of arimidex were coming! Now, THAT's a hassle, IMHO!

lisa137

I had a BMX and all nodes on the left side removed in October. I had no reconstruction.

I was told later that I did throw up as I was first coming out of the anesthesia, but I have no memory of that at all, and I didn't feel nauseous when I became "aware." My main memory of coming out of the anesthesia was being extremely THIRSTY, and that I had several members of my family standing around me, and that I kept falling back asleep in the middle of conversations. My husband told me later that that memory was accurate: That I'd drift off in the middle of a sentence, sleep for a few minutes, then wake up and finish my sentence. Hilarious. There was no pain at that point at all.

My husband stayed the night with me in the hospital--it would have been a much more miserable experience without him, because I had to pee OFTEN (and it was blue) and getting out of bed was much easier with him there to give me a push on my back  since I could not use my arms or hands. If someone can stay with you that is a HUGE PLUS.

My biggest "pain" problem that first night was that they were OVERMEDICATING me. They were giving me two hydrocodones every four hours, so I didn't really sleep at all because every time I'd start to fall asleep I'd get the sensation I was going to stop breathing and would startle myself awake again. Once I got home and cut that dosage to 1 hydrocodone every four hours I was fine. Pretty soon I actually started cutting those in half and only taking them as needed.

There never was a heck of a lot of pain from the surgery itself; most of the area was completely numb for QUITE a while--weeks if not months.

Where I did have some pain--not severe, just aggravating--was at the sites where the drains (I had 5) went in, and the stitch that held each one in. Once I told my husband about that pain he looked at the sites and said that it looked like the spots were just getting kind of irritated and crusty (ugh) and he solved that problem by putting a dab of Neosporin on them every time he changed the bandages to moisturize the area. Worked like a charm.

I also had some pain -- again, just aggravating-- under the ALND arm when I'd move it and anything touched it. It actually felt like sandpaper under there, or like there was an irritated or even sunburned area. Again, my husband solved that problem by putting bandages over the area so that my nightgown--nor anything else--would rub the area. Problem solved.

I was capable from the first day at home of getting myself out of bed and to the toilet and back, but I couldn't get out of bed FAST, so it was necessary to go ahead and get myself moving in that direction as soon as I felt the "urge."

Personally, I was kind of traumatized by my drains--just their existence--so for the first little while my husband basically showered me while I just stood there and dealt with it, but that was just ME. I don't think most women are as freaked out by the drains as I was, or so says my surgeon, anyway. My husband was also solely in charge of stripping and draining my drains, and he was meticulous about it, and I never got any infection or any problems whatsoever in the healing process. 

When I had my drains removed, 3 hurt, 2 didn't, but of the 3 that hurt, it wasn't pain as severe as stumping my toe, even, and the pain went away REALLY fast...although I do admit that I took a hydrocodone and probably an ativan ahead of time for the experience. I also had LOTS of staples and I was afraid of having those removed--you'd THINK that would hurt, right?--but in reality, the area was numb as could be and I never felt it at all. Chatted and laughed with the nurse as she was removing them, as a matter of fact.

Looking back at it now, the worst parts were being traumatized by the drains, and the fact that I got REALLY tired of only being able to sleep on my back while the drains were in. Otherwise, it was more boring and annoying than painful, as a whole. It really wasn't all that bad.

ironmagnolia

I think the surgical/post surgical experience would greatly depend on whether immediate recon was done. I can only speak to my experience which was BMX with immediate DIEP flap recon.

My surgery was 8 hours, I did not remember waking until I was being put into bed in my room that evening.  My mother said she did not recognize me when she saw me being wheeled into the room due to a lot of facial swelling, which I can only attribute to the fluids I was given during the long surgery. I vaguely remember seeing my family standing around my bed, as well as trying  my best not to lose grip on the morphine pump button, but the family said I was chattering away with them. I don't remember talking at all and can only imagine what I might have said.

I can honestly say my PS did a fantastic job of pain control. I literally had no pain, I was only sore and uncomfortable due to having to lie in one position all the time. I could not use my arms and had to have a lot of help getting in and out of bed. I did get an ulcer across my backside from the edge of the abdominal binder cutting into my skin. Even after I got home, I had to have help getting out of the recliner. My sister-in-law came to stay for a week after I arrived home after 4 nights in the hospital. This was so my husband could go back to work.

We used a baby monitor so I could call her to help me up during the night. I spent 2 weeks sleeping in a recliner. I used a walker to steady myself while walking to the bathroom for a couple of days, but she was right there with me all the time. She had to help me shower, and we used a shower stool and  hand held shower head which helped. Button front PJs were handy as well. I was OK staying by myself by the time she left on the 12th post op day, but was not doing much of anything except bathing, dressing and making a sandwich for lunch. Friends and coworkers brought a lot of food in for about 3 weeks which was very helpful. I drove at about 2 1/2 weeks post op.

The drains were the worst part of the whole thing, so uncomfortable when moving.  I had 4 drains plus a pain ball inserted into my abdominal incision. They were a lot to deal with when trying to move around, bathe, etc.  The 2 breast drains were removed on the 7th post op day and the 2 abdominal drains on the 10th day after surgery. Having them removed made a huge difference in how I felt. 

I can see where a MX with no recon would physically be a lot easier, but I would assume the emotional fallout would be worse. Not sure I would have had the courage to face that. But, then again, one doesn't know how strong one is until there is no other choice. 

AmyQ

I had to chuckle when I read you would fall asleep in the middle of a conversation Lisa and then wake up and continue on where you left off. I did the same thing and I recall my family standing there looking at me funny. I wasn't aware I had fallen asleep so when I asked what they were looking at they said, you mom, you fell asleep. Oh who cares right? I'd just had an 8+ hour surgery.

I did have the luxury of a catheter and believe me it was such a huge help. I loved not having to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night by myself. Who would think one could enjoy a catheter, but I did!

exbrnxgrl

Funny, my bmx was over 2 1/2 years ago, and the post op details and hospital stay are very fuzzy memories. I did have one step implants and I remember the binder on my chest being too tight. They called my ps and he came and loosened it. I think I had some nausea but they put something in my IV and it passed. Unfortunately, later that evening I became very sick from morphine. Once that passed I slept and by morning I was out of bed and cruising around the halls, IV in tow. Over all, the recovery was far easier than I imagined it would be. Not fun, but not horrendous either.

B_kicks_C

I had a radical MX on left and modified on right....my doctor used a "onQ pump" which was actually about 7 days worth of numbing agent similar to lidocaine....made all the difference. It was another attachment to keep up with along with the pumps but helped me have a clearer head without as strong go narcotic pain meds.  I had a lot of cramps in my chest muscles...partly due to the amount of skin that needed to be removed making the ex panders extra tight and my inability to quickly accept my physical limitations...if I moved too much it was like I spent hours in the gym working my pecs til they cramped...it is still my body's way to let me know when to rest when my head doesn't notice. 

I thought the loss of my breasts would be the hardest part for me...I had a love affair with my beautiful breasts since I was 20...my hair was easy and I loved my smooth skin...but my breasts?!?!? I demanded to my support team that I needed that first night alone and as soon as I was I was in the mirror with the binder off.  luckily my surgeon used internal stitches and clue so no bandages and when I saw them I didn't mind them...the long cuts seemed to mark the step in this journey and in that moment I felt strong.  Of course the next three weeks I felt humbly weak as I needed help with everything and just felt weak and frustrated.  I found the drains were the most frustrating and found wearing long sleeves and running them down my arms was easier for me.  I am not 8 woks post surgery and have 350cc in the ex panders...the crapping still is my chief complaint but it really on comes on when ai am too active (a theme with me) I don't wear any prosthesis or pads and I have found some pretty sports bras for support...I even have enough shape to fill out a few sundresses and won't cover the scars if things are feeling good...just let them breathe!!! 

Bearhitch

I appreciate the stories ladies - they just called to give me the time for my surgery on Wednesday... making it all very real, so it is very helpful!!

Kicks

We're all so different.  UMX was much less pain than either of my C-sections. 

I felt no pain but then they had me on morphine.  Just a pressure from being tightly bound.  I tried to get the nurses to not keep giving me more drugs but they wouldn't listen til midnight and did cut out the IV pain meds and give me Oxy which worked fine.  

Sent Hubby and Son off to get something to eat to get them out of the room and seeing me hooked up to IVs.   I was up and walking in the hall in about 4 hours.  I really can't think of anything negative about the experience (except the food - YUK - but part of that was I hadn't been able to order it so Son brought me some).  I had been told to be sure to have a large button shirt and zip hoodie to wear home (it was Oct) but my 'normal uniform' is a turtleneck and pull on sweat which I had worn in.  When I got ready to leave the next morning, I was having no problem with ROM so tried my usual that I had worn in and had no problem putting it on.  I was given OXy for pain meds but used less than 1/2 of them.

I had no external sutures - all internal and glue.  I Iwas bound so even remaining side was 'squarsched' flat, the binding stayed on for a week til I saw surgeon.  I had 2 drains - first was taken out at 2 weeks post op with no problems.  2nd out 4 weeks post op but developed a seroma with it that was still showing on CT scans almost 3 mths later.

We are each so unique so no 2 of us will have exactly the same experiences - similar sometimes but not exactly the same.

Bearhitch

Even with everyone being different I appreciate the feedback nonetheless!!  I feel so much more prepared with the knowledge of what the road was like for others!!!    

Momine

Like others have said, compared to a C-section, this is easy, at least in my experience. 

After my C-section, the next day, it took 2 nurses an hour to get me out of bed and into a chair next to the bed. I was in so much pain. 3-4 weeks later, I still had trouble walking completely upright.

There was some pain after the BMX, but it was manageable. The nurses were really good about keeping the pills coming. I was back in my hospital room around 3PM, and by 7 the assistant doc told me to get some rest. I was walking around and working on my computer.

The fact that the boobs were gone did not particularly freak me. I thought it would, but it just didn't. I can't explain why. Mostly I felt relief to be rid of the cancer and I was thankful that the cancer was in "optional" parts.

Once the bandages came off and the scars were still quite angry looking, it did take me some weeks to get used to how it looked and felt. So I am not saying it was all roses, but it really wasn't so terrible either.