when did you start exercises to prevent LE?

I would wait until the appointment with the therapist. The timing sounds about right to me - you have to let your surgery heal a bit before you start in on stretching and exercise. I didn't see the OT until about 6 weeks after my mastectomy/TRAM recon. That was a little long, but I had to have a re-excision (4 1/2 weeks after the original surgery) because the margins weren't clean. I think the numbness and tingling is normal - there's always a bit of nerve trauma when they cut into you. Your therapist should be able to give you exercises that accomodate the fact that you had bilat surgery. Hang in there.

Perhaps I shouldn't have, but I used my harm quite a bit after mastectomy and node removal. I would forget. Then when I got home I slept in the recliner. My dog was very sick and had to pick her up to take her to her "pee pad."
I would try hard to use my left arm for most of the weight, but she was very fragile and had horrible body aches.

I had been doing the "walking the fingers up the wall." When I saw my PS he wanted me to. Best thing to do is ask your PS. One of the nurses should be able to answer that question or she could as the PS and call you back.

I do have mild LE in my arm from the elbow up. I just finished therapy.

Good luck
Shirley

I didn't get much of any info about it.  But I look back and realize I didn't get a lot of things others did (like the soft prosthesis, and the T-shirt/bra with a place for drain bulbs).  I went to one PT appointment (about 2 wks after mastectomy?), and they said to raise my arm up over my head (I sucked it up and did it, stoic as always), and they said "you're fine."  I got no more info. Fortunately, I saw people online has been taught some exercises to increase range (walking fingers up the wall) so I did those and they really helped.  But no one mentioned LE. So I got a sleeve and wore it when flying for the first year. That's all I did.  But I only had 3 nodes removed.  I refuse to type in that I've had no problems, because I'll surely have my first problem now-9./5 years later-if I tempt fate that way.

Catgirl, here are some lymphedema risk reduction suggestions:

http://www.stepup-speakout.org/riskreduction_for_l...

On this page, in the right-hand margin, you'll find links to information about exercises and lymphedema risk:

http://www.stepup-speakout.org

Boscobetty, there are many companies that make custom lymphedema garments, some even in a variety of colors. Here are some to give you an idea:

http://www.stepup-speakout.org/Lymphedema_garments...

Do let us know how your appointment goes on Monday. And please tell us how we can help!

Gentle hugs,
Binney