3 Weeks post BMX - still quite sore. When do I feel "better"?

kber

I had my skin / nipple sparing BMX with TE implants 3 weeks ago today, and I'm still really quite sore.

On one hand, I can drive, my drains are out, and I'm back at work (which is a good thing - I was getting a bit stir crazy). I'm tight, but can hold my hands over my head if I need to, say, wash my hair (well, scalp really) or reach a dish.

On the other hand, I still really tender and stiff, especially as the day goes on. How long until I feel more "normal"?

I'm only taking Advil and Tylenol for discomfort.

LaughingGull

Hi kber,

I had a unilateral mastectomy on the cancer side, with full axillary node dissection, and a second mastectomy (prophylactic) six months later. So it's not the same surgery, but here is my experience: recovering mobility is not just a matter of time, but rather a matter of actively working towards recovering mobility, and then working on maintaining it.

In my case, that meant physical therapy right after the first surgery, and doing stretching exercises frequently and religiously during the first couple of months. I took a month off right after surgery, and I devoted a lot of time to stretching. After the first month, I started swimming. After the first couple of months, I kept working out and doing stretching exercises, less frequently but still regularly. Now I am 1+ year after the first mastectomy and 8+ months after the second mastectomy, and I still need to stretch regularly. I do serious stretching exercises once a week on Saturdays, including weights and what not, and I swim a few times a week, and every time I swim I do at least 20 min backstroke, to stretch my arm towards the back.

If I don't stretch in an entire week, I am stiff. Not as stiff as at the beginning, but stiff.

Did you get any physical therapy? I learned a lot from the therapists and I have no idea how I would have recovered mobility without their help.

Best

LaughingGull

kber

Hi LaughingGull and thanks for the reply. I'm going to be starting PT this week, but my plastic surgeon was adamant that I refrain from activity for 3 weeks post surgery. I asked specifically about exercises and stretching was told to wait. (Not to get too graphic, but he had to move my nipples and he didn't want me disturbing their healing and reattachment.)

As it is, my range of motion is actually OK, but I'm in discomfort. It may be the TEs are heavy and uncomfortable, or something else. I'm trying to separate "normal" aches and pains from something I should be paying more attention to.

msphil

hello each person is different takes time I had to go to rehab after drains were taken out and do my exercise at home also its a process but you will get thru it hang in there sweetie. msphil idc stage 2 0/3 nodes 3mo chemo before and after Lmast adriamycin cytoxin 5fu then got married was planning at diagnosis then 7wks rads 5yrs Tamoxifen and Praise God I'm a 25yr Survivor this yr.

WC3

I don't recall how long it took for the soreness to go away but up until about 4 or 5 months post surgery I would get the occasional painful pinch from one if the TEs and would then have to adjust myself. Once that stopped I had surprisingly little discomfort with them, at least for fairly sedentary activities.

kber

WC3 - that's hopeful. I'm definitely improving. Discomfort no longer interferes with my sleep and I don't count the hours until my next Advil. Instead I will notice that I'm feeling especially sore and then realize it's been 8 - 10 hours since I took anything. I got the clear to do gentle aerobic exercise today - walking or stationary biking and such. I have stretching exercises I can do, but no weights yet, obviously.