Recovery Time for Exchange Surgery?

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lbarbados
lbarbados Member Posts: 152
edited August 2014 in Breast Reconstruction

Hi everyone,

I had a unilateral MX in July with immediate TE placement.  I need to schedule my exchange surgery, and I'm wondering:  How much time do I need to take off of work after the exchange?  How was everybody's recovery?  Of course, the mx side is on my right side, I am right handed and I draw for a living.  

My PS seems to think 2-3 days will be enough recovery time, but I would love to hear from folks who have gone though it, what to expect.

Thanks! 

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  • CoolBreeze
    CoolBreeze Member Posts: 4,668
    edited September 2011

    I took a week off work, but I'm a uni too and I had an implant put in my good site to try to match. The week was more than enough - my exchange side had almost no recovery at all.  All recovery was from the good side.

    If your experience is like mine, your PS is right.  I'm right handed, it was my right side, and I type for a living.  :)  You can go right back.

    But, let me add one thing - please do some exercises after your surgery.  I ended up with a frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) after my exchange and that isn't rare at all.  It was very painful and it's been close to a year and I still can barely move my shoulder.  

    This has caused me problems since I was dx'd with mets to the liver, and a lot of the tests they want to do on me require my arm over my head.

    Do some minor exercises - you'll find them in the back of those mastectomy books or in your doctors office - and do them!  Keep that shoulder loosened up!  Frozen shoulder is super painful!!!! 

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  • christine47
    christine47 Member Posts: 1,454
    edited September 2011

    I had my bilateral exchange in July.  I had surgery on a Thursday and went back to work on Monday.  I am working just part time and was abit tired.  I use my hands at work (medical field), but really had no pain.  So simple compared to MX and chemo. Good Luck.

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  • jan508
    jan508 Member Posts: 1,330
    edited September 2011

    As I remember it, I had the exchange done on Friday and back to work on Monday.  I work from home and was a bit tired (I'm thinking from the anethesia).  The exchange surgery was on 30 -40 minutes. 

    Best of luck to you!!

    Jan

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  • mawhinney
    mawhinney Member Posts: 1,377
    edited September 2011

    I found the exchange surgery is much easier than recovering from the mx.  To avoid frozen shoulder after surgery, keep your arm moving. Prior to my mx I developed frozen shoulder, not once but twice after rotator cuff repair. 6 months of physical therapy did not improve movement so, I had to undergo 2 shoulder manipulation. Not  fun procedures! As a result, as soon as I wake up after any operation, I start gently moving my arm and shoulder.  Adhesive capulities (frozen shoulder) is  bone tissue actually gluing itself together and therefore, prevents movement.  Talk to your doctor about the possibility of developing frozen shoulde and what to do to prevent it.

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  • nguyeny
    nguyeny Member Posts: 14
    edited September 2011

    I was told by my PS that I would need 2 weeks to recover. I was able to start walking about 2 days after the surgery and could have gone back to work 1 week after. I was glad to have the extra time to rest and relax.

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  • lbarbados
    lbarbados Member Posts: 152
    edited September 2011

    Thank you, everyone!  Especially the info about the frozen shoulder.  Very good to know.

     I was really hoping my PS could do the surgery on a Friday, so I could go back to work on Monday...but of course, he can only do it on a Monday due to the hospital schedule.  I used all my sick and vacation days, so any days I miss...i don't get payed.  I am leaving my non mx side alone for now...I may need to do a lift down the line,  but for now it will stay "as is".  Thanks again for the input.

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  • Gabby460
    Gabby460 Member Posts: 2
    edited August 2014

    Hi everyone,

    I had my exchange on Tuesday. What really hurts is the place where they removed the port. Any suggestions? Does anyone know how long it takes for the swelling of your breast tissue to go down? I overdid it on Wednesday and have been in bed since resting. 

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  • Monis
    Monis Member Posts: 472
    edited August 2014

    I had my exchange sgx on a Tuesday and went back to work the following Monday.  I did, however, also have a reduction/lift on one side, which was actually more painful than my cancer/exchange side.

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  • Tdickinson
    Tdickinson Member Posts: 35
    edited August 2014

    I was off a week but could have returned to work within a couple days.  Exchange surgery was a breeze.

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