Major operation- what comforts during recovery time?

[Stressedgiraffe]

I'm having a mastectomy in a couple of weeks and am planning on making my recovery as easy as possible. Looking for tips
Older dc so they can help. Dh off work. Own bedroom.
So moving tv into my room
Fans for this weather

Dd thinks a mini fridge - not sure

What tips/ things do you wish you'd has after an operation?

Plan something to binge watch
and stock up on your favourite lunch food.

Book a hairdresser to come in and give you a shampoo , conditioning mask , head massage and lovely blow dry

Find which ever sink in your house allows you to head back comfortably

Good luck !

Other ideas ..
Ice pops
Magazines
Update Kindle or favourite author latest

Mini fridge isn't a bad call. I only have an under counter fridge and after abdominal surgery, it was a real challenge getting a carton of milk out from it so I could make a cuppa when I was alone. Only lasted a couple of weeks but it was frustrating!

Anti-slip mat for the shower, if you don't already have one.

Comfy clothes. Your softest, silkiest t shirts and leggings etc all freshly washed and ready for you to wear.

A stash of things to read, maybe an audiobook or two? All your chargers and essential digital stuff close by and ready to use without you having to traipse around looking for them.

Your favourite treats, be that a bowl of fruit or dark chocolate.

A bell beside your bed, so you can ring for help if you need it (or your phone, I suppose, this being a modern world).

One of those trays with legs that you can pop over you when eating - so that nothing is touching you!
Make a list of things you want to have in reaching distance - for me it was glasses/ contact lens solution/ case, and my painkillers.

That's brilliant! I hadn't thought of a tray

I had major abdominal surgery and because I was so weak I found a walking stick very useful even for just walking to the loo (& getting up off the loo).

Currently in recovery op… mini fridge not a bad idea at all. With the best will in the world, your nearest and dearest WILL tire of the requests! And also you’ll lose enough independence and be glad of sorting yourself.

I sweat buckets after GA so its cotton interchangeables all the way for me. Bigger size cotton knickers as I’m thinking pulling your drawers up and down might be sore on your chest and underarms after a mastectomy? (Might be utterly wrong there). I also bought this shower gel that hospitals used as I cant get my wounds wet

Tena Wash Cream Pump Dispenser 1 Litre https://amzn.eu/d/aSufTQ8

some small cushions/beanbag/other to prop you up or support yourself while resting or recovering?

water wipes are handy to have beside the bed too. Other than that, Tesco’s finest ready meals, whatever the hell you fancy, bottles of water beside the bed and sleeping tablets if the pain gets bad.

wishing you the very best OP, I hope it goes ok xx

I would second the walking stick! I bought a cheapie metal stool from argos for a tenner and used that beside the loo to help get myself off the loo. It also went in the shower so I could sit in hose off each evening!!

Extra pillows you can never have enough to get comfy

Re the mini fridge, you could maybe get a coolbox instead and put your cold drinks chocolate in there. Get a very long charger cable and a stand for the ipad/phone to watch netflix, you tube etc. and listen to podcasts. But you may be ok with a TV in the room.

A walking aid of some sort for the first few days is a good idea. Baby wipes infused with water and a nice liquid soap (watered down first) is a godsend to freshen up the ahem, bits if you don't want or can't get to the shower.

Wishing you well OP

Go for a proper medical pedicure/podiatrist appointment and haircut before the operation. Go to the dentist again before the op. I sincerely hope you don't need treatment other than the mastectomy but if you do you might not have time/inclination afterwards the op. Subscribe to Audible - can help you sleep. Search out some super soft button front tops or nighties. You may struggle to lift your arms above your head at first. Mini fridge to keep water cool and your face sprtiz/spray might be nice in the heat. If you can manage it sitting in a cool bath (no higher than waist) can help you feel fresh if dressings prevent showering in first few days.
Very best wishes for a speedy recovery.

Some luxuries to make you feel good

smellies for me, so bed spray, essential oils that type of

I had a bell to summon help but that was just me being a diva and I was never used.

A very shaped pillow really helped with propping my up and feeling supported. My camelback eddy bottle made drinking really easily.

I used a hair clip to keep my charger clipped onto my bed sheet so that it was within reach, and I could retrieve it myself if it fell to the ground.

I had some puzzles and word game books as I couldn't concentrate on reading or films.

Sarah Beany made a film which was shown this week which you may or may not want to watch but she described finding a beanbag under her shoulder to sleep as helpful as the muscles into her back were also really sore. If you are having lymph nodes removed you’ll need extra support.

Wishing you a good recovery.

Oh, mints. Peppermint tea and mints to suck on. The trapped air pain was the worst pain I had

I almost forgot about the trapped air pain! Definitely follow this advice, OP. It will help.

A flask of hot water or a small kettle for making tea/coffee if you're on your own during the day. DH was badly injured once and I did this and he had a small table with cups teabags etc on it beside him.
Sandwiches/ ready made in fridge.
Eye mask for daytime sleping.
V cushion to lean against while sitting up.
Weird as it sounds I use a large Squishmallow toy to sleep on, its very soft and might be beneficial if you are uncomfortable.
Wishing you the best 💐

There is a fantastic Facebook support group worth joining. They can give you loads of advice and tips. Breast cancer support (uk).

You will need a heart shaped pillow to go under your arm, makes sleeping easier.
Painkillers in industrial quantities.
A tote bag to carry your drain in. Front fastening clothing, in the first few days you are advised not to raise your arms above your head.
Something by your bed to help you get out of bed.
A wedge pillow to raise you up. Or a v pillow.
It is major surgery.

Large capacity insulated mug for keeping cold water cold. I have a 32 Oz one that is a godsend in hot weather. Water is good for you post op.

Pillows/ cushions to arrange around you and keep you comfortable. A footstool so you can put your feet up.

Protein to help you recover.
Chicken noodle soup is especially good.

A nappy caddy. Fill it with drink soft mints pain killer phone tv remote fire stick headphones kindle book wipes tissues etc.

A v pillow

A pillow for under your knees to take pressure off your back

A cup with a long straw or a water bottle.

Regular pain relief even if you feel ok

A binge worthy few programmes.

Long charging cable

I'm sure you know this but trying to get up and move when you. You don't want pressure sores.

I wish you the best with your recovery

Wind eze or rennie on hand for the trapped wind pain

I had an operation last August when the weather was very hot (34 degrees!).

I sat in my car with the air con on for 20 min!

A grabber reacher stick in case you drop something
Water bottle with straw to hand
You'll likely need to take medication and you won't knock a glass over
Some kind of baby wipes so you can clean hands without getting up to the sink
Long charger cable so you can always keep phone near you

I hope everything goes well with your operation 💐

After major surgery, my DH put a TV in the bedroom but I wanted to be as normal as possible, I just had the mop to push the dogs away. I wanted to be downstairs and not confined upstairs, although I did go into the spare room so I wasn’t disturbing my DH overnight.