I took about 10 days off work and I think it was just right for me, everyone at work knew what was going on so knew I had to be on light duties, I’m an assistant at Toni and Guy so usually involves blow drying putting deliveries away and cleaning a lot. It hurt a bit to pump shampoos for the first few days back.
The first 3/4 days I felt really achey and lethargic, on day 2 I went to have my nails done and hair washed and very nearly fell asleep on the nail tech and then again at the back wash! The GA totally wipes you out and you’ll probably spend the majority of the first few days asleep wherever you fall. It’s ideal to get some icepacks, one for each side, keep them on for as long as you can as often as you can.
The things I found most difficult were sitting up by myself, putting my coat on, flushing the toilets with a proper handle (not button ones) and pumping hand soap / shampoos. I couldn’t open the car doors either way, when you’re in the hospital make sure that someone is there with you to open doors when you go to the toilet after your op ect as they are so heavy! My boyfriend had gone to the car when I needed the toilet so I somehow managed to open the door by using my full weight!
By day 4/5, apart from falling asleep a lot my pain was much better, I could sit up by myself and roll over enough to tuck my pillows under my bum in the night.
The cocodamol made me feel sick from day 2 so stopped taking it, paracetamol made me feel sick as well so I switched to ibuprofen and felt fine then, if I woke up in the night I’d take painkillers but I didn’t set any alarms to take them purposefully through the night.
Happy to answer any other questions too 🙂
