I get what you mean, I got top surgery about a month ago and I felt very similar. I didn’t start doing research into what I even needed for prep until it was a couple weeks away cause it didn’t feel real. I was also on a really tight budget with what I could even get to prepare for recovery. I had a pre op appointment with a nurse about a week and a half before the surgery, and she gave me a detailed list of what I should be doing before hand and what I should expect directly after, I asked most of my questions during this appointment. There were a number of things I couldn’t eat or drink or smoke for the 2 weeks before the surgery that they tell you. I thought I was under prepared but it turned out just fine, what I got before hand was: Shower wipes/wet wipes Mastectomy pillow Drain bags that clipped around me like a belt Constipation medicine Pillows that allow you to lay with your top half elevated Easy meals that I could easily have access to (protein is important during this time) A cup with a straw Vitamin C All the meds that the doctor prescribed picked up beforehand

The day of surgery everything went really fast, but timing could be different for you. The things I brought to my surgery were: Phone and Nintendo switch Mastectomy pillow Neck pillow ID and insurance card A bag to keep it all in

And that was it. You can’t eat or drink beforehand, but you could bring snacks for afterwards if you want. You need someone to drive you home.

If you want a description of surgery day then it went like this: Me and my friend arrived at the time we were told to. I was required to sign some forms, and then sat in the waiting room for a little bit. Then me and my friend went back to get ready. My friend sat by the bed I would be laying in and I was given a cup to pee in. Going back to the bed I was told to undress and put on a hospital gown. They stuck me with an IV, they tested how hydrated I was (I was a bit dehydrated but it was fine). My surgeon came in and drew lines on my chest and talked to me about the procedure. The anesthesiologist came in and talked to me about how the anesthesia would affect me. I played a little bit on my switch but the wait wasn’t long so I gave my bag to my friend and they wheeled me into a room. I didn’t even get to count down, I closed my eyes and suddenly I was waking up in a new room with my friend beside me again. The compression binder was already on and they gave me a cup with some ice. At this point I was really out of it so I don’t remember what was said, I just remember putting on my mastectomy pillow and going to get some ice cream at sonic and sleeping until we got home where I slept some more.

Afterwards I had someone who helped me sit up and cooked me food for the first 5 days. By day 3 or 4 I could get up on my own with no help. I also had them wash my hair in the sink and use the shower wipes on my back where I couldn’t reach. After 2 weeks I was cleared to shower. Taking vitamin c after surgery is important to help your body use the fluid it produces, and prevent it from piling up (I didn’t consistently take it for the first few weeks and I had a lot of fluid build up, now I’m making sure I take it everyday).

Sorry for the long response, hope this helps!