I had a paravertebral block and didn't need pain meds until maybe 5 days after surgery. I felt absolutely fine after surgery and didn't have the nausea and vomiting that some pain meds cause for me. For a week or two at home, after the block wore off, I took 1/2 codeine and tylenol pill at 4 pm.

I did not have to sleep in a recliner but slept slightly upright with pillows.

For me the two mastectomies were no big deal. I have several health issues and docs were worried about how I would do, so they did the two surgeries separately.