What to do/ buy to prepare for surgery and recovery? Tips and ideas please

[herebehippos]

I am having breast/armpit surgery next week- relatively minor but will be signed off for around a week and not able to swim/ drive for around 4 weeks.
What are your post surgery recovery tips and what should I do / buy to prepare?
I have ordered some button up night dresses and a few soft cup bralettes. (I have big boobs and there are no front fastening bras I can find that would fit me).
I have also drafted a meal plan for the fist week which i am precooking over the weekend (my husband can heat things up- he really really cant cook).
I have 3 kids (2 of which are teens) and a dog.
We have no family support whatsoever.

Lots of pillows so you can get comfortable in bed.
A charger with a long cable.
Pain killers & Laxatives.
If you have the option of bed rest then some books/Tv shows you can indulge in.
A good water bottles/thermos for drinks to be at hand.

Bumping for the evening crowd.

A large thermos so you can have a cuppa in bed. Guaranteed that someone will forget to offer you a drink or forget to bring it to you.
A bell to summon assistance/sustenance to be brought I you. Far more irritating than ringing/texting one of you family so they will actually respond! Satisfying for you too.
Stock up freezer stuff like bread etc if you are a family that go out for one item and come back with a host of unnecessary food. Or prebook a home delivery and start a list now. You may find brain fog /tiredness sets in for several days after you get home.
Do you have to keep the wound dry? Might be an idea to invest in some dry shampoo or book a hairdresser visit. Simply because it’ll make you feel better/clean.
A shawl or very baggy dressing gown as you may feel cold or just want something light over your shoulders , but find your current clothing too restrictive for the movement you have for a few days. (I’m thinking being sore/swelling/bruising etc).
A tray or small table that sits over your bed to put things within easy reach. Always useful for tv lap meals going forward!
proper slippers for hospital and at home. Your balance may be off centre for a day or two. Failing that bed socks with that grippy rubber sole stuff. I always have cold feet after surgery.
Take a towel to slip between your arm and rib cage for the journey home, it lessens the jostling motion against a tender wound.
cannot think of anymore, so good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly.

Those v-shaped pillows.
long charging lead
download plenty books on kindle/tablet
loose tops, maybe both zip/button up and over your head ones
dry shampoo
baby wipes
spray on deodorant (if you’ll be allowed use)

You should be sent home with laxatives if you’re given a codeine based painkiller but I would suggest it could be helpful to have some glycerol suppositories in case of post op constipation which is no fun.

The pre op assessment is a good time for specific questions - are you going to need ice, for example, to help with swelling. What about additional pillows if you will need support at night? And so on.

Post op you may find you don’t have much of an appetite for a few days but your body needs protein (and fibre) so think about protein powder / snacks as a helpful short term boost.

A bell to summon help can be helpful if you think anyone will respond.

Good luck!

When I’m ill I go off my food and only fancy certain things. I would be stocking up by making homemade soup and freezing it. When I had bad covid DH did make homemade soup, he also made marmalade for some bizarre reason! The only time.

I like a small blanket round my shoulders like a shawl when I’m unwell plus it won’t have to go under your arms.

Have a pile of books and some films already chosen for when you are resting

Look up shampoo caps on Amazon. So much better than dry shampoo.

All the books you haven’t had time to read!

A company called Devon duvets does a heart shaped comfort cushion for £20.
I got one for my friend after her surgery and she said it was wonderful.
Hope all goes well with your surgery and recovery.