Well...first I would say to you that anyone would be terrified! I was super anxious and tried to not think about it too much. Ha! It was always there in my mind. I prayed. A lot! And I found that that brought me so much peace and acceptance. It was a gift from God, as I put it all in His hands.
I had my surgery at Mayo Rochester. Not sure where you are having yours done?
I was told to have a clean wash cloth and liquid soap for the incision after you get home. Use a fresh one each day. So I went to Ross and got a 12 pack and had them ready to go when I got home. I used Dr. Bronner's peppermint liquid soap. Don't think it matters.
I learned from another member that trying to hook a regular underwire bra is not fun, and she said get a sports bra. I went to TJ Maxx and got two, 2-packs of lounge/sleep bras. They were so awesome. You can't really use your arms much right afterwards, so being able to step into them and pull up was a blessing.
I wore summer dresses as it was July. Something easy to pull on. I took linen pants and t-shirts and a cover up sweater to Rochester for before and after. I packed light because hey...I was going to be wearing a one-size-fits-none hospital gown for 5-7 days. I was in for 5 days and stayed a few days after to go to a post op appointment. I just wore the linen pull on pants and t-shirts and flip flops.
You are kind of swollen after surgery. Water retention. So nothing tight fitting is good idea.
Slip on sandals or flip flops were easy to get on and off.
My taste buds were messed up for a week or so...nothing tasted or sounded good except rice with butter and champagne! Funny diet! But it made me happy.
My guy went out and bought a recliner for me. So sweet. It was an electric chair so I didn't have to struggle to get the recliner to work. I would have survived just fine without it, but it was nice to have the first week.
My sweet little daddy died three days after I got home from Mayo. I had so much going on, that I kind of don't remember recovery being terrible. I had his things to move out of his home, legal stuff, cremation stuff. And it was the first Covid season. I do remember walking a half mile to start about 4 days after I got home. I worked up to a mile shortly after. It helped so much to move around and not be sedentary. I listened to my body. If I was tired, I took a nap. If I felt like walking I did. It was not the horrible nightmare I thought it was going to be. Having my dad die was a huge issue for me. So emotional. I had just lost my mom right before surgery. You are stronger than you ever know you are!
You have endured this trial, and now you have a new path. You have support and I would encourage you to reach out again and again...however many times you need to. I will be praying for you...