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Angie_M
RealSelf member and breast explantee cbmeadows has written an amazing list of tips for other ladies about to go through with implant removal. Enjoy and please share your own tips in the comments.
Pre-Surgery Tips
1. Buy enough groceries for 2 weeks. Plan your all of your meals & have them ready to eat or frozen if you do not have someone to cook for you. Make sure you have enough toilet paper, Kleenex, etc.
2. Buy paper plates & bowls so you will not have to wash dishes.
3. Go through your entire house and put everything at arm level. You will not be able to reach overhead for a while.
4. Have the following on hand: extra-strength Tylenol, stool-softener, fiber pills, preparation-H, ice packs, Benadryl &/ or hydrocortisone cream, gingerale, soda crackers, Gatorade, Jell-o, soup, motion sickness meds, straws, Chapstick, healthy snacks, gum, facial cleaning pads, baby wipes & dry shampoo, thermometer
5. Sniffing rubbing alcohol or peppermint can help relieve nausea
6. Buy several front closure zip up sport bras. Use your band size to determine size. I like the Jansen one sold at Walmart.
7. Figure out how to sleep. You will need to have your head propped up after surgery. Adjustable base bed or recliners work best. Or decide how to prop yourself up in bed or on the couch. Make sure you have enough pillows. Head should be at 45 degrees for the first few days.
8. Make sure you have zip up or button up clothing to wear for a while.
9. Strengthen your stomach muscles so you can use them instead of your arms when getting up and down
10. Make sure all of your bills are paid
11. Do all of the laundry and clean the house
12. Ask your doctor for your prescriptions so you can fill them prior to surgery
13. Fill car with gas
14. Make a medication sheet
15. Cut your fingernails, toenails & shave or wax
16. Have a bedside table or TV tray stand next to where you will sleep & rest
Surgery Day
1. Take a coffee can, vomit bag or something in case you get sick on the way home. Also take cold gingerale & soda crackers. I also wore the SeaBands and asked the anesthesiologist for the scopolamine patch. I was still very nauseated but never threw up.
2. Take a pillow for the ride home
3. Wear button or zip up top and slide on shoes. Crocs are great.
4. Remain calm. Go to the surgery as relaxed and calm as possible. Have relaxing music with you, your favorite pictures, whatever you need to stay calm. Also, remain calm when you wake up in recovery. Allow yourself to wake up slowly like you are coming out of an amazing night’s sleep.
Post-Op
1. Have someone with you at least 48 hours. Longer if possible.
2. Walk around everyday, but don’t overdo it.
3. Move your feet while you are lying around. Flex & contract your calf muscles. This helps with blood flow to avoid DVT.
4. Take your temperature regularly for several days to make sure you don’t have an infection. A low grade temp is normal. Do deep breathing exercises to help get rid of it.
5. If you have long hair, braid it to avoid getting tangles
6. Drink lots of water
7. Eat healthy
8. Use ice pack on your chest if needed (15 minutes on)
9. Heating pad for your back.
10. Itching all over is normal. Wipe down with baby wipes & put on hydrocortisone cream
11. Rest as much as you need to, especially the first 3-4 days
12. If you have to take the trash out at any time, make sure it does not get too full. Instead of using a large trash can, use smaller ones and take the trash out more often.
13. If you have drains…take a pain pill about 30 minutes before they will be removed. Be sure you have a driver if you do this! My drains did not hurt coming out, but I did take 1 tylenol with codeine.