Lets see which question do I answer first, just kidding. I never felt like I had been hit by a truck maybe a small fiat! You will feel like taking a few naps the first few days but I was never bedridden thank heavens I hate laying in bed. I road home in the car that day, threw up when I got to my sons (sorry but it does happen, usually from the pain meds they give you right after surgery), then laid down and took a nap, after that I moved out to the couch where I ate a bowl of soup and read my book for an hour, then back to bed for another nap, got up ate supper (did not cook myself remember you are still groggy), then went to bed and read, then sleep. Pain meds every four hours also. Set an alarm to wake myself up in the night. I actually showered the next day and looked at my missing breast. The drains for me stayed in one for two weeks the other for 4 weeks, they have to be down to a certain rate over so many days before they will remove them. This had to be done three times a day for me. I left my sons and went home the next day, it was a two hour ride and went really well. Once I got home I did my own small things: made coffee, fixed my own meals, I really did just about everything that did not require a lot of lifting or pushing anything heavy. My first big outing was a wedding about two weeks after my surgery. I just made sure I always ate something before I took my painkillers, I have to have something in my stomach or else I will throw-up. I went back to the doctor two weeks after my surgery, then it was every two weeks for awhile. I will say that for about a month I really required a nap in the afternoon. If you feel like it after a day or two try taking a small walk, it really helps to get out and keep the lags moving. If I can answer anything else for you just let me know.

You won't feel like a truck accident victim for long. For me it was just a couple days, then I got itchy to get the dang drains out, which are a pain for approx. 2 weeks. I had to have the hoses shortened because they were catching on everything like little rubber suspenders that are hanging at your side. I was not bedridden, nor did I want to be. It's up to you! They send you home from the hospital the day after surgery and tell you to walk around and not lift anything over 8 pounds. I was out in the front yard the next day, puttered around the house, painted an outdoor chair the 4th day to get some fresh air and sun. You can shower the next day if you want to. You will need help with that though and do NOT try to do it yourself as you will have to hold the little drain bulbs or have someone hold them for you. I fill the tub half full, sit down and use the extended hose to wash my hair and rinse with. My partner helps with me getting out and drying off, believe me, there is no shame letting other people help you. I'm about as independent as they come and I welcome the help.

Suzie my husband made a "necklace" out of a shoe sting for me & I looped the drains through for my shower. I was instructed no shower for 7 days. I am amazed with Joys recovery! I wasn't bed ridden but lived in my recliner for weeks.

I do not think I am special but I really needed no help getting in and out of chairs or beds. I had the right breast removed and an expander put in immediately. I would assume if you had both done at the same time it will be tougher to move. I also participated in a study where they injected a painkiller right into the surgical site, I really felt that it made a big difference. I will check my medical records and see what it was. Oh yeah by the way, I maybe a little nuts about this but I requested my own copies of every appointment and every surgery. I am now also fighting the mesh implant I had put in seven years ago, wish I would have asked for copies then also but did not.

Shower 72 hours after drains come out which is usually 7 days to 14 I had mine 14 days.