Shopping List for Post BiLat/DIEP Surgery

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NotAfraid
NotAfraid Member Posts: 218
edited June 2014 in Recommend Your Resources

5-7 days is a LONG time to be in the hospital - even morphined up!  4-6 weeks is a long time for me to be at home.  I'm going to need to keep myself entertained AND comfortable.  Since I don't know any Chippendale Dancers, what did those who survived a long recovery period do with themselves?  I'm not a TV watcher at all.  I'd love to spend my time making jewelry,but I don't know if that's going to be possible.  Should I just buy a recliner and become Archie Bunker?  Help!

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  • Del11
    Del11 Member Posts: 944
    edited January 2011

    Walking a lot and watching DVDs is probably the most realistic plan. I've had a few surgeries that required 5+ week recoveries, and each time I bought myself a boxed DVD set of a TV show I liked. The first time was Gilmore Girls.  Second was Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Third was Star Trek: The Next Generation.  Getting through the whole series is sort of like having a goal to focus on :)

    The first week or two just getting showered and dressed will feel like work, so you'll be glad that you don't have to do much else.  Stripping drains several times a day can be (mentally) exhausting too. Your job those first 6-8 weeks is to protect your flaps, so you can't do a lot of things you normally would.  Embrace the time to rest and think about the good you're doing for your body during the healing process.

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  • Alyad
    Alyad Member Posts: 817
    edited January 2011

    one of my friends gave me a Netflix acct- you can get several movies at once and you can choose the next ones you want online, it only takes a day  or two to get them in the mail- surprisingly quick. They also have tv series you can rent.

    I also spent a ton of time online, on this site and facebook and researching various things, I can lose hours looking at this and that. Of course that only works if you have a laptop unless you could rig up your monitor next to your chair.

    I think a recliner is a good thing, tho I know some women have made it through without one. YOu might be able to rent one. I used lots of pillows to prop here and there.

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  • NotAfraid
    NotAfraid Member Posts: 218
    edited February 2011

    SO, I stopped my my local antiques store on Saturday and, lo and behond, they have a beautiful, deep red leather, very comfy recliner for a whopping $129.  I said "I'll take it". Ask the universe for a recliner, and you'll get one! ;)

     I also got 6 pair of wool socks from REI today.  My feet are ALWAYS cold.  I can sleep naked and have to wear socks.  I used my rebate from last year and the whole thing cost me $9.  

    I have Netflix and I got a 3 month free subscription to Hulu and I have a laptop.

    More items on my own list of thing I "think" I'll need:

    1. A bed jacket? Or, something warm and easy to get on.  Will it be difficult to move my arms?  I realize that I live in Southern California, but I am am somewhat "thermally challenged".
    2. A bed pillow?  You know, one of those ugly things that look like a chair back.  My back hurts just thinking about being in bed for that long.

    I also am going to have to work out how I am going to keep my cats and dogs off of me.  That is NOT going to be fun.  I'm their body pillow.

    Did anyone share the bet with husband and pets post surgery?  Maybe I should take up residence in the twin bed in the office.

     So much to think about!

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