Arm surgery Monday - Any suggestions?

I'm scheduled Monday morning.  Just wondering if anyone has any suggestions on dealing with after care - sleeping, dressing, etc?

Just jumping in to say Good luck!!  keep us posted!  and I am jealous!

Thanks Ann!

I had my boobs done yesterday. what's helped me so far is keeping a timer with me, and making a schedule of my meds. You'll probably be on antibiotics, anti-nausea medicine, and pain pills. I have about 6 bottles to keep track of, so I made out a schedule and I set the timer to go off at every interval where I'm due to take something. My mom's helping me, she signs off next to every entry when I've taken my doses. You gotta keep on top of your pain meds, you might start feeling good and think 'I can back off" but believe me, the reason you feel good is because you've been taking them. So play it safe. Pain will make you less mobile, more prone to blood clots, and just plain depressed. Good luck!

Oh, also, go through the house and make sure everything you need is at arm level. You don't want to be having to reach above you. I can't reach above me right now and everything is spread out all over the counters. Makes things easier. I've heard that people like having those claw-grabby things (the stick with the claw on the end, that picks things up). I'm going to get one when I have my arms done next year. Good luck! 

Good idea on the timer.  I think I'll set my cell phone.  Most pain meds make me nauseated and feel just plain weird.  I didn't need paid meds after VSG or gall bladder surgery, so I'm hoping that I can get by with little or  no pain meds this time too.  

I think my office has one of those grabbers.  I'll ask if I can borrow it.  I've been thinking about having things at arm level.  I'll have to have my husband get things ready and easily accessible for me before he goes to work the next day.

You'll be sleeping on your back for a couple of weeks - I used alot of pillows to prop up my head and my arms and it helped.  I think I'm like alot of people and pain medication causes constipation so I'd suggest starting to take Muralax (or similar) the day after your surgery.  For me it took about 3 months for all the swelling to go down.  Good luck.

I think I'll sleep in the recliner.  I did that for 2 weeks after VSG and it made it much easier on me.  Yep, I'm prepared for constipation.  Fiber and fruit too will hopefully help that cause.

Like Lizzy said... move everything that the you may need down where you don't have to stretch.  I had saran wrap on top of a shelf...needed to get my daughter to get it down, it sat on the counter until I could reach again.  I also needed a heating pad for my forearms as the arms were healing, the compression garment was tight and my forearms were achy.  5min in the morning at night with the heating pad helped.

Thanks Chris.  I'll get the heating pad out right now!!  Glad  you mentioned that because I don't think I would have thought about it. 

I don't have any suggestions but wanted to wish you well on your surgery.  I am having surgery Monday morning as well (TT, pani, breast lift, and implants).

Wishing you a speedy recovery!