When were you able to drive etc after surgery?

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cleomoon
cleomoon Member Posts: 443
edited June 2014 in Living Without Reconstruction After a Mastectomy

Trying to estimate wihen I might be able to drive after surgery with no recon/no node removal.

When might I be abe to scoop a cat box?

Also when did everyone's drains get removed?

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  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 19,757
    edited December 2009

    Cleo, you will be amazed how many chest muscles are used to drive! Especially backing up and checking over your shoulder. Practice in your driveway first, really! I was about 7-10 days out.

    My DH does the cat box, but leaning down is one of the hardest, never mind the weight of the scoop. 

    I had one drain for about 10 days and the other for about 17 days. I had it taken out on my way back to work for the first time. I didn't mind going flat to work, but didn't think it appropriate to drag my body fluids around on the outside of me.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited December 2009

    With no recon you will be amazed at how quickly you will be moving around.  I agree with barbe1958.The driving is easy its the drains that are a hassle and they hurt big time! I had drains for one week but I am thin and had really small breasts.  Feel free to PM if you need anything.  Good luck!

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  • keno41
    keno41 Member Posts: 91
    edited December 2009

    I think the hard parts about driving are the backing up and looking over your shoulder, as Barbe said. Also, your reflexes might not be 100%. I also found the seatbelt to be very painful, as it sits right over the incision! I used a towel to cushion me. I didn't really drive until about day 7 or so.

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  • Issymom
    Issymom Member Posts: 264
    edited December 2009

    I had bilateral MX with delayed reconstruction.  I drove on day 6.  It was just to the store a mile away.  I wouldn't want to have to move quickly and moving my head a lot was definately bothersome.  The seatbelt still bothers me.  It is not the incision but the skin (or tissue under the skin) just above my breast area.  I guess our breasts actually go quite high on chests.  I was surprised at how good my range of motion was.  I know it sounds silly but I was glad I was able to blow dry my hair.  I like my hair and if I am going to lose it in a few weeks I wanted to look good right now.

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  • mawhinney
    mawhinney Member Posts: 1,377
    edited December 2009

    Ask your doctors.  I felt well enough to drive as soon as the anesthia wore off but the doctor didn't want me to.  It is not the driving itself but the possibility of having to make a quick, sharp maneuver could damage your sutures, incision (s) and drains. 

    When you do drive or ride as a passenger, have a small pillow to put between you and the seatbelt.  It softens the tightmess of the belt over your chest and is just a little extra protection in case of a quick, jerking stop.

    I'd be very careful of cleaning the cat litter box. Very germy and you will have open or healing incisions!

    lyssmom- During a mastectomy the surgeon generally scarpes & removes  the underlying tissue almost all the way up to the clavical bone which may account for the soreness on your upper chest area.

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  • Kim09
    Kim09 Member Posts: 100
    edited December 2009

    I ddin't drive until all my drains were out which was 2 weeks after surgery.  The way I dealt with the seatbelt was to wear my surgical camisole with the the "puffys" in place.  The camisole also came in handy when I had the drain because it had pockets to place them in.

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  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 19,757
    edited December 2009

    It's not like you don't want to drive, it's just the practicality of it. I forgot about the seat belt! It bugged me so much when summer came that I mentioned it to my surgeon. He said there are a lot of short guys that deal with it....sigh. (no boobs to hold the belt away from my neck) You're not supposed to drive for 24-48 hours after anaesthetic anyway.

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  • mollyann
    mollyann Member Posts: 472
    edited December 2009

    i drove a few days after my bi-lat but I didn't have lymph node surgery. That makes a big difference in pain. My friend had the node surgery w/ her bi-lat and she was still in the hospital taking morphene a few days later. 

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