Anxious - I am a SAHM so work was not an issue. I was told to do nothing more strenuous than make a cup of tea for two weeks.
I timed the surgery for just before the Xmas school holidays. I had the op on a Saturday so that DH could take care of the kids while I was in hospital over the weekend.
He worked from home on the Monday so that he could be on call to collect me from hospital. I came out of hospital on the Monday evening.
He went back to work on the Tuesday and I then had two weeks of the kids being at school during the day so that I could rest. A lovely group of local friends took turns doing the school run for me and also had the kids over for dinner. My DS who was 11 at time got very good at preparing microwave ready meals!
The first time I went out was three weeks after surgery. I don't know how people do it and go back to work after two weeks but I suppose you have to.
Some tips and stuff I remember:
The first night in hospital after the op is the worse. I was sick from the GA and morphine. I was very well looked after though and was woken every hour to be checked over.
I was dreading having drains taken out but it was absolutely fine ( probably because of all the pain relief!)
Don't risk doing anything in the first two weeks even if you feel up to it. The surgery wounds are major and need protecting.
Keep an eye on infection - my surgeon gave me antibiotics as a precaution.
I was never really in pain - I was on ibuprofen and paracetamol for a week after surgery.
The very worse thing is that I'm a side sleeper and you can't do that post surgery. The first night I was able to sleep on my side was bliss!
Buy one of those big V pillows - it really helped.
The surgical bra I went home in is like an instrument of torture and goes up to your chin! Thank goodness a friend who had had the same procedure told me to go out and buy a load of very high neck tops ( being large busted I had none at all in my wardrobe already)
After seeing my surgeon a week post op I mentioned the uncomfortable bra and she recommended a marks and spencer post surgery one for night time as long as I wore the proper one during the day.
Once the wounds had healed she recommended a seamless crop top style bra from marks and spencer - these were excellent and I still wear them in bed as they are so comfortable.
You will become very emotional a few days after surgery but that passes.
Indigestion became an issue a few days after surgery. Possibly a side effect of the anti biotics and the pain relief.
Washing hair is an issue but my DH did it for me. I managed to do it myself after a week without having to extend my arms too much.
My surgeon gave me some very good anti scarring tape which was excellent at reducing and fading scars. I don't think every surgeon does that so neat to ask about it.
Finally if like me you carry wait around your middle try to lose some and tone up a bit before surgery. I really wish I had as I never realised before how much my big boobs disguised my middle age spread!
I'm sure I will think of more but I've got to run now!