Everyone's surgery experience is different depending on reconstruction, lymph node removal, bilateral or unilateral, lumpectomy and the surgery timing in relation to chemotherapy. Overall, expect to be in the hospital for 1-3 nights, not be able to lift anything heavier than a gallon of milk, and you may not be able to lift your arms over your head. Ask your surgical team about activity limitations and wound care at your pre-surgery appointment. When you wake up, you'll likely have one or more drains (little plastic tubes with a ball filled with blood fluid attached). You will need to strip, drain and monitor your drains daily. 

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• Keep Moving: Maintain and improve your range of motion before, during and after surgery with gentle stretches and exercises that target the muscles of the shoulders, flanks and chest. Ask your surgeon and physical therapist to instruct you on stretches to use carefully and purposefully as soon as you wake up. A physical therapist will likely visit you in the hospital as well.

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• Get Your Home and Helpers Ready: You may be restricted from lifting heavy objects, fatigued, uncomfortable, and  unable to lift heavy things after surgery. Prepare your home before surgery so that you have access to your toothbrush, clothing, food, medications, and any other necessities at chest height. Have a meal train or frozen meals ready to be reheated. Ask loved ones for help with the dishes (or get disposable flatware), trash, laundry. LotsaHelping Hands allows you to coordinate rides, meals, household tasks and appointments on a calendar. Meal Train and Take Them a Meal allow you to create an online meal train. Be VERY specific about what your physical and dietary needs are. People want to help! The wise folks at an organization that helps families facing cancer called Bright Spot Network came up with a fantastic list of ways you can ask people for help for when they say, "How can I help?" This list is helpful for anyone, not just those with children. 

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• Pack Your Bag: Because of arm movement limitations, button down shirts, or zip up shirts or hoodies, sweat pants, or robes are the easiest post-surgical fashion for a few weeks. Loose fitting clothes are more comfortable and won't rub against drains. You can use a drain pouch, wear a robe with built in drain holders, or safety pin the drains to your shirt.  Pack the post-surgical bras that your surgeon recommends and/or ordered for you or none at all since you'll wake up in one provided for you. Pack lip balm, moisturizer, comb and dry shampoo (you may need your nurse or caregiver to help put it in your hair), headphones, book or magazine, eye mask, slippers or non-skid socks. 

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• Beauty routines: If you have hair at the time of surgery, get your hair done the week before your surgery. Your surgeon and anesthesiologist will likely not want you to have nail polish on your fingers so that they can monitor your blood oxygen level. Ask a loved one to help you with your beauty routine when you come home. 

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• Keep Loved Ones Updated: Your surgical team will update your caregiver throughout and after the surgery. Prior to surgery, discuss with whom and how you want your network of friends and family to be updated. Use a text chain, social media, or an online health journal like Caring Bridge to stay connected. 

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• Make It a Comfy Ride Home: Bring a shoulder strap pillow to cushion the car seatbelt and a pillow for your abdomen (if having reconstruction). If you are traveling long distances, make sure to build in time for pit stops (both to not get too stiff and to prevent blood clots). Pick up any prescription medications from the on-site hospital pharmacy, have a loved one pick them up for you, or have your driver stop on the way home.  

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