Single breast removal - no expanders - recuperation???

My biggest problem was from the drains. The incision itself wasn't particularly uncomfortable, but I had 2 drains in and that made sleeping a challenge. I bought a body pillow and that helped keep me from rolling onto my side, but if you have enough regular pillows I'm sure you can make a nest out of them. I'm a right-side sleeper and of course my surgery was on my right side! My biggest worry was rolling over onto the drains and having them leak, but just make sure you empty them before bed and there won't be enough in them to worry about. 

I live with my sister so I had her around for help with my first shower, etc. Other than that I didn't need help. You can't reach with your arm on that one side, so you may have some habits to break! I would suggest having things you need well within reach for a few days. If you have good knees then you ought to be able to squat down to put your dog's dish on the floor. You just don't want to be bending way down to the floor from the waist. Also, I hope your dog isn't too playful when you get home. I'd be worried about him/her getting paws in an ouchy place.

If you don't have a hand-held shower I'd suggest getting one. It lets you take a partial shower without having to worry about getting the surgical site wet.

I only had Tylenol for pain and it was enough. Like I said, the main problem was the drains and there's really no way to avoid that discomfort. Just try to leave them undisturbed as much as possible. 

In all honesty, the entire process was much easier than I anticipated. I know I've griped a lot about the drains, but I really, really hate them. I hope you have as easy a time as I did!

Definitely have frequently used items on the counter, coffee mugs. Have your med bottle lids loose. If you do have drains, lanyard for when showering. Button down shirts. Something comfy for sleeping, nothing over the head for a few days. A small pillow or towel for under seatbelt on ride home. My bs ordered a camisole with pockets for drains insurance covered cost Coul also go to Home Depot get a carpenters apron to put drains in

The drains are a pain to deal with, but not usually painful. The won't come out if you accidentally roll over on it. I had bmx, so had 4 drains.

I don't think I even had a Tylenol after surgery, but if you feel you need something call your surgeon.

My experience was similar to the previous posters. I spent one night in the hospital and pain was minimal. I was given an rx for Norco but only took it the night I got home. Afterwards extra-strength tylenol was enough and I hardly needed that. I only had one drain and was allowed to shower the day after I came home. I tied a ribbon around my neck and safety-pinned the drain to that. The top of the drain had a little loop so it was easy to pin the drain to my clothing/ribbon -- I didn't need a pocket for it.

I slept on my back and propped up my back and my left arm up with pillows -- that kept me from rolling on to my left side and squashing my drain. I had my drain in for a week.

My DH was home with me but I showered and cared my my incision/drain by myself. It was something that I didn't want him to see or deal with.

I walked my usual mile (at the dog park) the day after I came home. I used my seat-belt pillow (that I bought for my port) to keep the seat-belt away from my incision area. Recuperation was much easier than I expected. It would have been much more difficult if I had a double mx.

Good luck!

Try it see how it goes. I came home from hospital in a zip up hoodie.

When I had my hysterectomy I tried to lift a full gallon milk jug. Didn’t work. Who knew those suckers were sooooo heavy!!😂😂

I’ve had a lot of surgeries and except for those blasted drains getting in the way, it was a fairly easy recovery.

I agree with those who said make sure anything you need to lift is light - milk, laundry detergent, soaps, shampoo, dog food, etc. You can get small plastic containers to divide things into lighter amounts. Do this before surgery.

In addition to keeping everything you need at waist level, make sure you don't have to twist to get to any items - twisting with drains hurts. Avoid bending over if you can, because that probably won't be comfortable either (you'd either be reaching or supporting yourself with your affected arm).

I also found for the first week or so, I could not twist open bottle caps, pull off soup lids (the pull-tab kind) or open bags of chips. I could not cut my food either. Any squeezing, pulling, or pressing motion hurt and I had little strength in my affected arm the first week. Open things before your surgery, if you can. Have scissors handy to open sealed bags. A bottle opener was helpful from week 2 on.

The first week was when I needed the most help. I could not cook/do dishes for myself (too heavy/too much motion), and had little energy. I needed help keeping track of my meds.

I'd say it takes about 3-4 days for the surgery haze to settle and start feeling more normal. You'll still be tired and sore, but less hazy, depending on what meds you are taking. I discontinued oxy by day 2, to reduce constipation. Take that colace, and have senna handy in case your bowels aren't in gear by day 4. But even if you don't take the opioid pills they give you, the hospital will probably be giving you something like that during and right after your surgery. Be sure whoever is driving you home understands you may be a tiny bit woozy/goofy. Have patience with yourself in those first few days as the meds wear off and your body manages all the change - it will get better fast.

After the first week or so, I was pretty functional at home, but still, no lifting anything heavy or reaching up with your affected arm. I was driving a few days after my drains came out (waited until I was not so sore on that side), but I needed help with grocery shopping and ice/snow removal. I was too tired to do much other than care for myself (meals, short walks, showers, washing a few items), but I could at least do that.

I was given a postop bra with my drain - hopefully that is standard. Ask you doctor. Button shirts or pjs will make your life easier that week. If you don't have any, can you borrow a couple old flannel shirts from someone? Maybe there's someone who'd be happy to pass some old shirts along? They just need to be a little roomy. The hospital social worker might also know of a good donation/pass-along resource for 2nd hand mastectomy wear.Your t-shirt idea could work, especially if the shirt is sturdy and the velcro isn't too strong. My drain hung around belly button height. A 5x5 inch pocket would work. The drains themselves are smaller than that, but you want it to be easy to get in and out.

I did not need a special bed. I did have one iof those wedge pillows that lifted me up a bit, but I wouldn't say it's a necessity.