Thanks everyone for sharing your stories!

I am very glad we have a private HF because I can't imagine how you put up with it for while on the waiting list Lisa and Marydean! The attack came on so suddenly and didn't seem to be triggered by food (had eaten a relatively low fat normal diet that day). By the grace of God, family members were around to look after baby because I was totally unable to do anything except groan, vomit and sweat. In the end I had morphine for the pain.

I am concerned about the BFing though. After several lactation consultant visits, they've diagnosed me with a permanent low supply (possibly due to lack of breast tissue or hormone issues). So we are BFing but topping up with formula. I can only ever express 30mLs at a time (in total) and I am worried that surgery/fasting will result in my meagre supply drying up completely...

I am going to ask the surgeon if we can go to the post natal ward - thanks for the idea Trillian.

How long a recovery do you reckon I'll need until I can go back to looking after baby solo again while DH is at work? Also, did you have much pain afterwards? If I'm BFing I'll want to avoid as much painkillers as possible.