mastectomy tomorrow

@LMK74 very best of luck for tomorrow.
when I came out of surgery I was groggy and slept a lot for the rest of the day.
There was very little pain, I had a drip with a PCA (patient control analgesic) hooked up but used it only once.
I was given Panadol 6 hourly and that was all I needed. Very little pain.
Showering the next day, I was wobbly and negotiating the drains while trying to lather up was tricky, as was drying myself but by the time I left hospital I had worked out a routine.
Breast drain came out day 3. Quick and felt slightly unpleasant but it didn't hurt.
The tenderness in the lymph node area seemed to increase when I got home, as did the drain site under my arm, but still as long as I remembered to take the Panadol it was okay.
Doing the exercises made me feel a bit sick at first but my arm worked really well. 
Now 2 1/2 weeks out, the only thing I have difficulty with is stretching right up high.
I am still a bit swollen under the arm and where the top lymph nodes were removed on my chest in front of my shoulder, and it is numb and tender there, bras rub.
I have just discovered some soft bras in Best and Less $10 one has a zip up the front and the other is a crop top style but they have removable padding for a bit of support.
Lots of lovely colours and patterns in the crop top style to make you feel feminine and pretty.
I could only find the soft zip up ones in black.
I have taken the padding out of the mastectomy side as it digs in a bit at the moment where I am tender but otherwise they are lovely and soft to wear and the padded side gives my left breast a bit of support.
All things considered I was surprised how little pain I was in, and as soon as the underarm drain was out I felt amazing. I used the satin carry bag from the breast care nurse to hide the drain when I went to the shops, I was out and about a few days after I came home.

The nurse from the hospital came twice a week to check my wound and drain and to collect the bags. My last drain was out on day 11.

I hope you have an equally positive experience. 
Let us know how you go. Jennie

Oh and good luck xx

Hi I had double mastectomy and had to go back for axillary clearance. The mastectomy site caused zero pain because when they remove your breast that also means all the nerves are also removed so you actually have no feeling which is a bonus. My armpit was tender with some random nerve pain but I didn't even need panadol so please do not worry about it you will be fine xxx

Thanks @Romla, I'm going alone so that's comforting to know.

PS A lot of ladies been there done that so you will come thru this  too.You will be given wonderful care by all at the hospital so you will feel quite safe - I felt cocooned by kindness

Will be thinking of you tomorrow @LMK74 and looking forward to hearing all went well. Take care and big hug! 

Thank  you @melclarity and @nonkyboy. I'm hoping panadol is all I will need but we'll see.

@LMK74 all the very best for your surgery tomorrow. Try not to worry and I'm sure you will be fine. Take care x

@LMK74 All the best for tomorrow! You'll do better than you think ;) I can't take any painkillers, so drug sensitive always had major probs..but my surgery 4 weeks ago they gave me Fentanyl and it is the only thing that has worked and not caused problems. Hugs Melinda xo 

That's great@Kat09, how good is it to be nearly done with all of it.
I hope your surgery is  a breeze.
@Zoffiel, I'll try not to worry about it. What a drag though having to go everyday for five weeks lol. But I'm lucky the hospital is close to where I live, I can actually see the place out my kitchen window.