Hi @SF73
Good luck with your surgery. I only had a single mastectomy (no reconstruction) but had an axillary clearance (17 lymph nodes). I experienced very little pain with the mastectomy, my hospital was very keen on pain medication which is really good if you need it. Ultimately they were fine about my not doing so! You will have fluid drains for a while and may even be discharged with them so finding a useful way of carrying them around (small bags slung from the shoulder, for example) saves a lot of frustration or tripping over tubes. I only had them for a few days so deep dressing gown pockets worked well.
If you are fussy about tea or coffee, take supplies! Most hospital issue is horrible. I had exercises to do to improve arm mobility - there’s a fair bit of digging around for lymph nodes and your underarm may not feel as if it belongs to you at all for a while. I don’t know if a double mastectomy needs any additional care but I found the exercises easy, and had excellent mobility in my affected arm in a few days. If you can walk around somewhere or even sit outside, it’s good for you. Otherwise books, puzzles, music, whatever you prefer to fill in time, especially in the evenings (hospitals like very early evening meals!).
Best wishes for a speedy recovery.
