Hi Schumi
Ill certainly answer anything you want to you know as honestly as I can ...so fire away anything you want to know and it may or may not help you .
I didnt have any preconceived ideas in truth . I knew what they were going to do as in there was some vascular surgery happening in my stomach and blood vessels would be cut and the new blood supply would be reattached to my new breast tissue and I didnt dwell on it at all . Once I was under anaesthetic I knew I wouldnt know anything until I woke up and I really didnt think about it .And that is exactly what happened I was probably only awake in anaesthetic room for about five mins and next thing I was being woken up ..for me it seemed Id been asleep for 5 mins ha .
Yes I was a bit concerned it could be cancelled especially when they said phone up two hours before admission to check your bed is available . I now realise it would have to be something very very serious for a diep op to be cancelled because it involves so many people and time ...
I was taken back to the ward . I did have a side room and this seems to be standard practice in my hospital because the room has to be draft free ..they really did take it serious and it was to protect my breast flap . The thing I wasnt expecting is I had to be covered by a huggy blanket ( hot air blanket ) I did ask if it could be folded in half so it only covered the side of my body it needed to . I cant remember now if I had to have it for the first 24 hours or 48 .. but most def for 24 hours . I had one to one nursing for the first 24 hours although in truth I didnt realise that until I was told afterwards . I was cared for very well . The pain was controlled with a slow release anaesthetic pump that released a small amount of anaesthetic into my body over five days .. my hospital use this method because the slow release morphine pumps keeps the ladies bit drowsy and slows them down getting up and mobile . I did have paracetamol and codiene as well . I would call the pain in my breast more of a discomfort . The pain was more in my tum but I did have a complication which accounted for this and once that was sorted I managed well with the pain control they gave me . The tum felt more tight than anything and I described it as being in a very tight corset . I also felt a deep pressure from inside but as you will find out ...you do swell so I think the discomfort comes from the internal swelling . I honestly did not find it too bad . I stayed on the codeine and paracetamol for about a week after got home . following that it was just odd paracetamol .
Obviously everyone will have their own experience . I was very weak but I was anaemic aswell and my blood levels were low so I needed extra units of blood . This does not happen to everyone .
I was still weak when I got home and remained breathless but again ...this was me ! it doesnt mean it will be you . The tightness in my tum stayed and I must be honest it did put me off doing my excercises and I only did a few . I am now doing them properly because the scar tissue needs to stretch so I can resume back to my normal abilities . I have done exactly what Iv been told so I havent hoovered or lifted anything I shouldnt . Its driving me nuts a bit but Im coming up to six weeks now so Im going to start doing a bit more . I have been able to start sleeping on my side a bit too and thats a bonus . I found that I had to put two pillows under the back of my knees because I couldnt lie too flat due to the pressure and tightness on my tummy but now I can lie flatter . I think patience is the key and doing as youve been advised . Is this info what you wanted or is there anything specific Steph xx
