Things about top surgery that I wasnât aware of going in:
Theyâll probably put a breathing tube down your throat after youâre knocked out. Youâll wake up and your throat will hurt (sort of like strep) for a few days after
You need to wear compression tights for a week or two after surgery, theyâll provide them. This is to prevent blood clots since you wonât be moving around a lot
The IV goes in your hand??? Theyâll probably numb you first, which is good. But as someone whoâs incredibly uncomfortable with medical needles, seeing a needle in my hand was weird
The surgeon will come in before the operation to draw on your chest. Theyâll also ask what size you want your nipples to be. You need to tell the surgeon what size you want your nipples to be, donât be afraid to be specific. These are your nipples.
Anesthesia/surgery will make you EXHAUSTED afterwards. Like âfalling asleep if youâre sitting down for more than a few minutesâ exhausted
The tightness of the bandage will probably cause most of the pain. Donât mess with it, the nurse will fix it during the post-op
You will be PARCHED afterwards. Youâre going to be IMMENSELY thirsty, drink LOTS of water. I found that sprite is good too, but youâll want so much water
Part two, recovery edition:
The pain is going to come in waves. Youâll feel fine for hours then as soon as you move youâll feel like youâve been stabbed. Itâs important to remember that the pain is temporary, but the relief is forever
Trying to sleep comfortably will be weird, because you have to sit propped up
No showers until at least your first week post-op, washing your hair in the sink or having someone to help wash it for you is your best bet
The pain medicine WILL make you sleepy, almost 24/7. Donât fight the sleep, take naps. Fighting the sleep isnât fun, taking naps is cozy
You wonât be able to move around much due to pain, so find a favorite show/movie/channel/literally anything you can watch or listen to while stationary
Laying down flat is BAD. Sitting up is GOOD. Sitting in some kind of couch or recliner or bed (while propped up) is BEST
Pick cozy pants that are loose fitting and easy to take off and put on, as well as a button up shirt thatâs at LEAST a size or two too big. Youâll thank yourself
Changing dressings will look weird, you need to remember youâre healing. Itâs not going to look perfect BECAUSE you are healing, let them heal and theyâll look nice once theyâve finished
Water and herbs are your friend. You HAVE to have a low sodium diet for a long while after, so spicing things up with herbs instead of salt is your best bet. Also water will continue to save you because thirst.
Keep everything youâll need within like⊠half a foot away from you. You shouldnât be reaching for anything
The bandages and tape will itch. Itâll suck. Taking Benadryl is supposed to help, try not to scratch at your bandages or itâll mess with the scars
The doctors say this a lot but Iâll say it too, stool softeners. Not laxatives, stool softeners. Apparently surgery can cause difficulties with digestion and using the restroom, so better safe than sorry
DO NOT take ibuprofen or anything with ibuprofen in it!!! It can cause bleeding/complications, the doctors WILL give you prescription pain meds and you should take those as instructed. Worse case scenario, Tylenol is your friend.
There will be times when it will hurt even if youâre doing everything right. Your body just had giant stab wounds in it that are now held together by stitches. Thereâs gonna be pain, itâs gonna suck, but you need to remember that the pain is temporary.
Find a back scratcher. Youâll need the back scratcher. Youâll thank yourself for having the back scratcher.
Do you like blankets? Do you like stuffed animals? Do you like any kind of specific thing that makes you feel cozy? Use it. Let yourself feel cozy, itâs so much easier to feel like youâre recovering when youâre cozy
