Originally Posted by Thankful for Hope

I am almost 3 weeks post-op, and still having pain, which is expected. I started PT 2 weeks post-op. I was given nerve gliding stretches, and the pec minor incision was massaged during my post-op PT visit. It wasn't too painful, and actually felt pretty good, as there is a lot of tightness. The pain from surgery varies from person to person, but one thing I was quite surprised with was when I was being admitted, each person that would come in told me how painful this surgery was and how much I would hurt afterwards. Their reason was so I wouldn't be overwhelmed when waking and surprised. I've had several other surgeries including two c-sections so I was no stranger to pain. I can tell you from my experience the pain was tolerable, but I also had a Morphine PCA pump so I could press the bolis each time I wanted extra meds. I was also given a combo of Toradol, Tramadol, Zanaflex/Tizanidine, Ibuprofen (800mg), and Zofran/Phenergan for nausea on top of the morphine drip that was spread out throughout the day. This combo really helped to manage the pain post-op while in the hospital, although I would still say the pain was between a 5-8 most of the time. The average stay is around 3-4 days depending on your pain levels. Once you can get off the PCA and remove the IV, and manage your pain through oral meds, the sooner you will be sent home. The hospital was very serious about making sure the pain was manageable before removing the IV, and offered to give extra meds through hand IV if I needed them. Make sure when you come home to set an alarm or ask your spouse/caregiver to do that to keep the pain med schedule on time. If you oversleep, you may wake in a lot of pain. You will need pain medicine as directed for the first two weeks most likely. I also had trouble opening the pill bottles so my husband would do that for me. One thing I had a problem with 7/8 day post-op was constipation. I had started colace day 3 post-op, but I wasn't eating too much, my appetite was very poor, however, I couldn't "go", ughhhh! No fun when you are hurting already. I added Miralax, plum juice and Magnesium asportate, and all was well again I also took vitamin D3, too, only because I have a Vit D deficiency so I take 4000 IUs daily to keep levels up. My doctor firmly believes in getting up to keep the chest open, which does help with the stiffness you feel. Just walking around the house several times a day (assisted at first if the meds make you woozy). Drink lots and lots of water; it's very important to stay hydrated with all the meds and for good recovery. I still fill up my hospital mug and refill many times a day. Eating things that are light on the tummy will help, but try to stay away from empty carbs. Protein is a great source as well as fruits and veggies. One very important thing I forgot to mention is the spirometer. It is to be used every hour for the first week or so to make sure you do not get air in the lungs which could mean getting a chest tube or worse pneumonia. It's very important to suck/blow into this to make sure your lungs are fully expanding. They will xray your lungs before surgery, in recovery and in your hosptial room for the first 2 days or so. I had a small pneumo that was discovered in recovery, however it wasn't an issue the next day - all clear. It is painful to use the spirometer at first, but don't let that stop you. You do not want to develop complications The respiratory therapist will give you a goal to reach for, and check on you during your stay. You will most likely be on a low-fat plan while in the hospital, but all my choices were still good, and honestly I didn't have much of an appetite. I was up walking the halls the next day, and by day four was up walking the hall circle 6 times before I left. Moving as much as you can, does help recovery, but there's a fine line to overdoing it; your body will let you know. Of course no lifting, just walking about. You will have a JP drain about center between both incisions. It's a tube inserted to drain excess fluid off the surgical area. The gown they give you will have a pocket to place the small bottle that collects everything. I was released on day four, but had to keep the JP line in until the following day. It was removed at my surgeon's office. I have an adjustable bed, which really helped a lot while sleeping. Lying flat is not recommended. If you have a wedge for your bed, it will help, or maybe even sleeping in a recliner might be most comfortable. As far as clothing, you will not be lifting your arms over head so button up shirts or something you can step into and pull up will be best. I am still not wearing a normal bra because it is too painful for me. I bought the really loose bras that are similar to a sports bra type, but not tight at all, infact, I bought it two sizes bigger to be sure it was loose. Also, the racerback ones will not be comfy, at least not for me. I'm not sure if you have a Kohl's, but that's where I bought mine. I know this seems a bit all over the page, so very sorry for that. I am sure there's more I have left out, but those are the points I can most think of now. Best of luck to you, and feel free to ask more questions if you'd like Best of luck to you in January and hoping for great results for you

Originally Posted by TellerMomof3

Thanks for the info. Definately helps to hear from someone that is going thru it. So are your symptoms improved from before surgery? I am still very anxious as this is a major surgery and I have never had any major surgeries before. So I am just trying to get as much information as possible before it gets here.

Originally Posted by jkl626

Hi STOS,what kind of therapy does your other therapist do? My armpit muscles subscalpularis, and teres are always tight and is hard to get it them to stay relaxed even when I do the ball exercises every day and still going to Art or James once a week. It definately contributes to my arm and pinky numbness. As soon as I get on the computer it comes back. Marc said the Graston technique worked for him. I am looking into that.

Originally Posted by TOStrojan

I had pec minor surgery and it was no big deal for me. I went sight seeing the next day and then caught a plane back to california. I still get armpit pain sometimes ---- pec minor surgery offered no improvement for me.