Post op - what to expect?

Hey ladies. . 

I'm nearly 5 days PO and I'm slowly getting there!  :) thanks so much to all the ladies who have helped me along the way. . Listened to me moan and worry and panick and then reassured me that actually. . What I'm feeling is normal and to hang on in there!  

So it's my post op assessment on Tuesday. . A week on from surgery. What exactly should I expect from this assessment? Obviously they'll look at dressings etc but apart from that i have no idea what they will do? If anyone could enlighten me that would be fab!! 

Thanks again ladies

K xx

P.s when do I lose my newbie status?   x

Hi Kay! I know exactly what you mean, the first 5 days feel like they go on forever and are really tough, but now I'm 6 days I feel like I'm really turning a corner with pain and energy levels, I'm sure you will too. My post-op appointment is tomorrow so I'll let u know what happens! I'm pretty sure they mainly change your dressings and answer any questions you've got! Love Shona xx

Hello,
At my post op the nurse took all he dressings off, took a couple of progress pics, and basically gave me some advice on what I can and can't do.
For eg I could shower at 7 days, but said don't bathe.
I was only in there for about 10 mins.

And your newbie status will change very soon, think mine went at about 80 posts....just stick around and keep posting.

Hope your feeling ok today x

Hi Kay, hi Shona :) i agree the ladies on here have been fantastic! I really don't know what I would of done without this forum and its been  great sharing the journey with you both too :))
My po isn't until Wednesday when im 9 days po so i look forward to hearing how you both get on at yours, I'm not looking forward to the dressings coming off lol i hope it doesn't hurt :/ although it cant be as bad as some of the pain ive had this week! 
Glad youre starting to feel better Shona and i hope you are too Kay, I'm feeling a lot better but just wish i could get comfy sleeping at night...must of had 3 hours if that last night! Really wanted to just lay on my side and snuggle down into my duvet..ohhhh i miss that!! Lol xxx

Hi [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]! Yes I'm also not looking forward to dressing coming off cos that's the area that is most sore!! Really hope it doesn't hurt too much when they pull the plaster off :-0. Sorry to hear you can't get comfy sleeping on your back - hopefully when you go for your post-op they might tell you it's ok to side sleep again, maybe with a pillow for support on your side and between your knees?? And yes it's been fabulous to have you and [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] at same point of journey, and some other lovely July buddies too xxx

Also how are you ladies doing with moving your arms? I could scratch my back this morning. . That's how I knew things were looking up haha!

Just hope by Tuesday I'm less hunched for my trip to Brighton for my post op.. actually havent been out the house since Tuesday. !! Xx

Hi [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]! I've definitely got a bit more arm movement now - can put a normal jumper on instead of just ones the do up at front or ones you have to step in to. Can't wash my hair yet though - still relying on my husband for that ha ha! 
I had my first trip outside the house yesterday - I went for a 15 minute round trip (walk) to local shop to buy a snack for lunch. Tomorrow I've got to take the train and underground from Brighton to London Harley St for my post op so I'm a bit nervous about that too. Will make sure I'm travelling light! So how come your post op is in Brighton? Did u have your surgery down here? How far are you travelling? Xx

Arm movement is getting a lot better..I can do more today than I could yesterday, I can reach higher and lift a little more each day! Hubby is back to work on weds so I'm trying do more for myself today and be more mobile too...im not going over the top but I hope i don't pay for it later!! xxx

Oh i dont know about normal tops yet..maybe I'll try tomorrow. .  and my hair is still bring washed for me!!! 

No way!!! My initial consultation was Brighton.. op was in London (highgate) and my pre op/surgeon consultation  was on harley street London.. and my post op was meant to be too! I called up a couple of days ago and just said I couldn't get to London (wouldn't, not couldn't lol) and they GAve me an appointment in Brighton! Def worth a phone call hun I cannot imagine having to get the tube and train!! London is probably closer for me but brighton so much easier and my mum lives down that way and she's going to take me so it's more convinient that way! Honestly Def give it a go! When I had my pre op I asked about an appt. In Brighton rather than London and they said there was no availability but when I called up there was loads of appt times I could have!! Xx

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] my husband also going back to work on Weds! I'm dreading it cos I'll have to look after all 3 kids on my own :-(. Won't be able to drive by then so I need to plan some local activities that require minimal effort on my part eek! I'm totally taking it easy right up until he goes back to work cos I'll never get this much pampering again I reckon lol! Xx

And good for you Julie!  Yeah be careful that's what I was thinking. . I bet I'll get carried away!xxx

Hi [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] I don't mind too much the trek to London cos it means I'll see my surgeon, which I'm quite looking forward to! I'm gonna take it easy, walk very slowly etc. maybe the gentle exercise will be good for me?! It's great they let you go somewhere easier for you to get to :-). Xx

Hi, I had my dressings off but they left a dressing strip on my incisions. They just check that you are healing ok. Xxx

Mine is going back tomorrow. I have two dogs and I'm panicking lol xxx

You're lucky you get to see your surgeon Shona!! Yeah the exercise will be good for you :) xx

Thank yoy [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] :) hope you're feeling ok xx

I agree! This site has been so helpful and probably hugely helped my decision to go ahead with the operation! I genuinely didn't know much about it before I came on here and started asking questions and reading other people's posts! 
I'm only 2 days post op so gotta wait till Friday for my check up! Although I woke up in quite a bit of pain today it's calmed right down now, think it was just the lack of pain killers after waking up! Although I've only taken paracetamol & ibuprofen once today and feel ok. 
My arm movement has been lots better than I expected, I can't brush my hair etc which I never thought I'd be able to do so that's a relief! Gonna get hubby to wash my hair though, I'm not that brave!
He goes back to work tomorrow leaving me with 2 kids & a dog but they're behaving themselves as they know I'm a bit sore lol! My eldest daughter has an operation on Wednesday which I'm  not looking forward too but we'll just have to manage! Lol 
Hope everyone is happy with their results so far?!

* I can brush my hair!!!!!

I'm glad your pain has calmed down!! We'll be in the same boat tomorrow then! Good luck :) 

I can't say I'm thrilled with how they look but I'm very swollen and solid  and I have only peeped in my bra as apposed to look at myself front on in the mirror! I think when I'm on my own tomorrow I'll have a look properly! X

I'm glad your feeling ok today [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] and the pain from this morning has eased, i still get morning boob but nowhere near as bad a the first couple of days :)Still early days for you so make sure you get plenty of rest and take it easy.
I dont like how mine look in the macom bra and support band...they looked small and abit squashed but i love them when there not covered! Lol i take my bra off in the morning and evening and just look at them in the mirror..then im happy! :))) xxx

I've found my Macom to be quite uncomfy! The hospital gave me a bra which is an Anita front fastening one and it's much more comfy and feels a lot more supportive too! I've looked them up but they are almost £50 ouch! 
I was concerned how far apart my boobs were when I 1st came round but they do seem to be getting closer together, hopefully I'll get the cleavage I wanted :-)

Hi all! I'm not 100% happy with mine yet cos they are a bit 'D' shaped and high and hard but I know they have so much settling to do still, very early days, and I know I'm gonna love them a few weeks from now. Still sore and swollen but no regrets :-) xx

I had my 1 wk post op check on Thursday , he changed my dressings & said I could now drive my car! Yippy I was going stir crazy lol.

He said one more week then I can shower & 4 more weeks & I can go bk to the gym !.
I'm 8 days post op & I've manged to do a bit of cleaning like wipe bathroom down & kitchen work tops & even manged a bit at the supermarket at day 7!.
I can also dress myself now! Lol
I've been swapping between macom bra & my post surgery bra though since day 2 just for a bit of relief!.
So far all is ok

️Xxxx

Mine are high and hard top Shona!  Remind me.. Do you have a band? I think that's why I have one?

Great news [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] sounds like you're doing amazingly!  Xx

No band, just a plié bra which is a bit like the Macom but it's the brand my surgeon uses. Xx