Post op help

Hi Joy,

Oh, I know about wanting to rush things - that is me all over!! "Surely I can do everything now cos it's been 3 weeks!!

Lucky you  not needing chemo - fantastic!!

AS far as the bra thing: I woke up with a lovely front opening stretchy bra on (supplied by the hospoital) but my reonstructive surgeon removed it the next day as he was concerned that there should be no restriction of the blood supply particularly below my breasts as the skin there was thin and very stretched. The nurses put on a stretchy tube for the next few days to help reduce the swelling and fluid build up. Again, though, he removed this when he visited me on Day 3 to remove the drains and told me to be very careful what I wore. Since then, I have just been wearing camisole tops that are slightly fitted but stretchy - no bra at all. MInd you I am, and was, an A cup so it may be different with anyone a little bigger.

You will have drains and will probably wake with an IV drip in your arm through which they administer antibiotics and saline. This comes out on about day 2. The drains are removed when the volume they are draining reduces to a dribble.

The only other piece of advice is take care and get mobile as soon as you feel you can. Even if it is just to hobble, with support, to the toilet. The nurses can then straighten your bed and it feels so good when you get back in and can relax. Ask for Coloxyl as well to take after meals when you are taking Endone. It is a stool softener and together with bran for breakfast, prunes, kiwifruit and pear juice, should prevent the constipation.

All the very best for your surgery, Joy - while I am still sore, I have been plesantly suprised at how quickly the wounds have healed and how I can move about and get back to normal.

Take care and let us know how you go.

Cheers,

Alison