What to buy in preparation for and after the Op?

Hi girls,

Just wondering what I need in preparation for the op and straight after? Have had a look in the relevant section but there doesn't seem to be a topic. Have spoken to a friend and she said I'll need a V pillow (can be purchased from Argos) and I know I need a sports bra, unsure of what kind, is there a difference between support bra and sports bra? I wanna be super prepared and organised so am starting to plan now to make my recovery as smooth as poss.

xx

Hi,

I didn't buy a v pillow straight away, but I wish I did! So definitely get one of those! I had a travel pillow at the hospital which was great for there and also the travelling home. Sports bras I brought from m&s and tescos :-) xx

I think the vitals are a v-pillow, ice packs, piriton and 2 sportsbras (with a high impact sportsbra, most popular being the triumph Triaction extreme, the shock absorber or M&S 2 pack for £25 or a font fastener (M&S or Macom))

That's all really.

If you're looking for a shopping list for hospital you can find one [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

Yes v pillow I found indispensable I still sleep with mine. 

As for preparing , dry shampoo, lots of ready meals, unless you have someone to cook for you. Keeping things at chest level eg. Glasses, tea cup. 
Plenty to watch like a DVD box set, kindle and of course the forum! 

X

Ok great thanks for that, think I'll get the V pillow then. Do you definitely have to sleep upright? bit nervous about that!Cookie why Piriton? Do you buy the bra size your surgeon has told you you'll be or one bigger? So I was told 32D/DD should I get a DD or an E? Mrs Ball, I'm fortunate enough my partner will do my food (well for the first few days) even if it is supernoodles! have already started to record things on Sky ready! Alanna have a new travel pillow, thanks didn't think to take it and from what I've been told Asda and Tesco sports bra's are just as good as Marks. xx

You don't need to sleep upright just your head and shoulders above chest level, to me the ice packs were great!
The sports bras from asda arnt great because the do not offer enough support, look at getting a shock absorber, triumph, the m&s bras or even a Macom xx

Nope asda and tesco sports bra are hot supportive enough no where near as high impact as likes of marks, shock absorber and triumph. 

These are the top 3 also the Macom surgical bra. This is just a band size so no need to worry about a cup size.

Maybe get the d and dd and take back whatever one you don't use. 

Bra extenders are a life saved also to save buying different back sizes which is unnessary as after a few weeks the swelling should have gone down and returned to your normal band size. 

That's sweet about your partner but you're going to need some nutrious food lots of carbs for energy and protien for body repair. Even if it's scrambled or boiled eggs and soldiers! 
Baked spuds and cheese , beans on toast all easy peasy and. Good for you   X

missindependant88 wrote:Ok great thanks for that, think I'll get the V pillow then. Do you definitely have to sleep upright? bit nervous about that!

yes hun. You'll have quite a bit of swelling after surgery so being elevated serves t relieve that hun. This helps the body will naturally absorb all the fluid and air.

Cookie why Piriton?

Its very common for th skin to get itchy as the nerve endings heal. For some an anti-histamine such as piriton or even a chemists own brand will do to help relieve this... For others ice packs help, but is best to have it in... Just incase....

Do you buy the bra size your surgeon has told you you'll be or one bigger? So I was told 32D/DD should I get a DD or an E?

I'd buy the two your surgeon has suggested. If you fee you'd like to buy the E cup too 'just incase' then there's no harm in doing that, just be sure to keep all receipts and leave tags on bras, yon can then take back those that don't fit and claim a full refund or exchange for another bra that does fit.

i would suggest you buy also a pack of bra extenders. They're a god send if yon have a lot of swelling around the ribs as many of us do and will save you a fortune. 

You will probably find this thread [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] also to help you through your early recovery. It gives further advise also on the above. Xx

girls, how exactly do you sleep with a V pillow ? where does it go ?

I have one normal pillow under it then it laid on top (straight after surgery may want 2 or even 3 normal pillows depending on comfy you are) 

Lay on your back with your head in the v bit of the v pillow arms and shoulders are then supported by the 'arms' of the v pillow.

A while after surgery you can use it to begin to side sleep by cuddling it x

Hey, 

With getting sports bras, I got two zip front m&s ones (34DD and 32E ). As my surgeon just said get a size 34 but didn't give me a cup size  to get. I also got two macoms (sizes 34 and 32) so I didn't have to worry about cup sizes.   

I am selling my macom size 34 as it's too big I omly wore it for a day!!!! Now in my size 32 macom o  the tightest setting and I'm only a week post op!!!!

I also slept how mrsball described so your head is raised above your body and I had a pillow under my back because it was so painful!! XX

missindependant88 wrote:Hi girls,

Just wondering what I need in preparation for the op and straight after? Have had a look in the relevant section but there doesn't seem to be a topic.

Thank to co highlighting his hun. I've now made a topic for future use of our members in the Breast Augmentation Information > Your surgery and beyond section of the forum.

Thank you again babe 

i found gel ice packs really lovely and soothing, i got mine from amazon but pharmacies and wilkinsons also sell them. they help take down the swelling.

and yes a v pillow :) i still sleep with mine 4 months on just because its so comfy!

and i found the macom bra invaluable, and takes all of the stress out of trying to find a fitting sports bra. i still wear mine to sleep in, so am definitely getting value for money! x

Great, thanks girls for that. Lots of valuable advice! Will defos take on board all that you've suggested. Ok shall invest in gel ice packs and thinking of now buying Macom bra early! I'm a 32 so guessing that's the one I need? Am gonna practise sleeping with v pillow :)

Thanks Cookie, Jennifer, blueeyedsoul and mrs ball (& others), loadz of things I didn't even think about. Jackets pots are easy and as you say he can't go wrong with scrambled egg! will only be looking after me 1st few days though, I previously had an operation after a car accident and he cared for me superbly!

Starting to get nervous now, four weeks yesterday!! eeeekkkk!

Aww enjoy the countdown! I wish I could have my day over again lol, the build up is full of nerves and excitement but on the day you will be so well looked after it's quite calm! :) xx

I started taking a dissolvable vitaminC tablet and a multivitamin containing selenium (on advice from my surgeon) every day from about 2weeks pre-op and have continued post op and am finding it a huge help even if it is just psychological xxx

Strepsils, water bottles, and plenty of paracetamol. Other than the initial throat dryness after the op, it is going to hurt when you cough, and if you suddenly get a fit of the coughs...the strepsils will be invaluable!

aw you're welcome hun, enjoy the countdown!!

just to add, although the vitamins may have been advised to gleaming by her surgeon, it is often advised to stop taking any nutritional supplements before surgery, so only take what is being advised by your surgeon hun x

I've been told not to take anything 2 weeks before but will double check, thanks.

I'm not enjoying it at the mo, its like judgement day! lol. Will stock on painkillers, strepsils and been told to get arnica30.

Where can I get the bra extenders from? Have looked on ebay and their the additional hooks is that what you mean Cookie/Mrs Ball?

x

Yes that what you are looking for :) eBay is fine for the extenders xx

Oh I didn't realise some surgeons recommended no vitamins at all leading up to surgery... Ask your surgeon 1st then-mine said to just continue with what I normally take and to include selenium to aid the healing process but I think that's his own general advice.

The arnica you can get from boots easy enough :) I was told to take a dose before going down to theatre and 3 separate doses following surgery over 24 hours but I think different surgeons have different guidelines :)

Good luck hun, it's very exciting xxx

Yeah, think it's best I ask first. Hope I can if it's workd for you! What arnica should I get? the cream or pillules or bruise relief or cooling gel? lol! Which did you take?

Thanks love, nerve racking too though!! x

I was told to get the 30c pillules, I think they were about £4 in boots ? Everythings 3for2 at the mo though so it's worth getting some dissolvable vitC tablets for post op too-they really do give you a lift, and anything that builds on your immune system is great after any op :)

Try not to worry I'm sure you'll be fine, it goes so quick so enjoy it - looking forward to your updates :) xx

Yes the pillutes 30c are what your looking for xxx