Getting Home

Hi, wondering if any of you lovely people have any tips or advice for getting home after surgery.
I’m due to have BA in May, the hospital is around a 2 hour drive and weirdly this is what is stressing me out the most at the moment!
How can I be safe and comfortable in the car? I’m anxious about feeling sick, uncomfortable and in pain!
Tia x

Hey Floss. I’m having my surgery in Preston travelling from Birmingham so looking at 3ish hours, I personally have booked a hotel which is allowed during covid if for medical reason and travelling back the next day so hoping maybe more rested 🤞 xxx

Hey Floss, I would suggest driving home the same day. I found the drive home quite uncomfortable however the next day the pain was a lot worse so I would reckon driving home that day would help so you are in your own bed the next day. Just make sure you take your medication before you leave for travelling they will probably already have made you take that anyway. Also have an ice pack to lay on your chest for a while on the drive home. That did help me with the pain but don’t worry too much you will be fine 🙂 Are you getting overs or unders? Xx

Hi Jods. I’ve not been advised this ice pack thing but have read lots of threads about using ice packs. Can you explain what you use them for, for how long and where to place them etc? I’m being discharged today, pain is so much less than I thought it would be, but at the same time, looking for as many tips and tricks as I can to make the recovery process as comfortable as possible.

Thanks x

Hi,

Thanks for your responses.
I’m actually having them re-done after over 12 years, but I can barely remember any of the recovery, other than not being able to lift my arms for a while.
I had unders last time, and presume it will be the same this time, still waiting on surgeon consultation. I did think about booking a hotel, but think I’d rather be in my own bed with all my home comforts around me.
When is your surgery @charlotte? ?

x

I didn’t really get a choice, they wanted to see me the next day so it was either overnight stay or hotel! I think it was probably because I had a late admission time though. I opted for overnight stay and glad I did because I was very sick after the anaesthetic.

I had a v pillow for both on the way home and sleeping at night. My dressing gown also helped for extra padding. I was also told that an ice pack for about 10 mins at a time on the top of the breasts would help (although I didn’t try it on the way home), and plenty of paracetamol – They will probably give you codeine on the day, I stopped taking it once home though, it makes me dizzy, sick and constipated! 😂

Good luck!

Hey Charlotte! I found using the ice pack for short periods of time worked best.. I used it for about 15-20 minutes it helps with swelling and pain and used it just at the top of my chest. I found using lots of pillows at my back and also pillows beside both my arms helped with the pain also. I had most pain the first 2 weeks then it gradually disappears I’m now nearly a month post op and hardly any pain now at all! Hope you have a speedy recovery it’s all worth it in the end haha 😊 xx

[Author]

Posts