Double Mastectomy and being a police officer

I'm not a police officer, but I have had similar issues. Hopefully the chest tightness will resolve when the TEs are removed. I had problems wearing heavy coats but it eventually resolved as my body regained strength. Have you had any PT to improve range of motion? I saw a therapist who specialized in lymphedema after my BMX and she helped me regain range of motion and strength. She also taught me how to recognize early signs of lymphedema, do lymphatic drainage massage, and wear a sleeve. First steps were "fingers walking up the wall" with incremental increases in range over the weeks and biceps curls with soup cans. I hope these issues resolve for you soon!

Hi Myroo, I can't speak for the TE's, I had a Umx and no recon, but the other sensations you are experiencing happened to me too. My Surgeon explained that the severed nerves were regenerating and causing the numbness and tingling, zapping and zinging, the burning raspy feeling like sunburn which reacts to any stimulus was nerve related and inflamed, also due to the scraping off, of the tissue during surgery. I also found that the most uncomfortable part for me, was the area where the lymph nodes were disrupted.

I found that gently massaging over my skin regularly, helped to train it back to feeling a bit more normal I also did the PT stretching exercises 4x every day for many months, to ensure the return of range of motion.

I have read that some here who have this sensation prefer to wear a firm shape wear tank, which doesn't irritate, like other fabrics.

The others have said there is a great relief after the exchange and for me, the hyper sensitivity took a few months to disappear. I am over 2 years out from surgery now and although I still have fairly expensive numbness, all of the sensitivity is gone.

I actually watched a video of a Mx surgery, after my surgery, so I could understand why this is a surgery of such weird sensations. It was brutal, but helped me understand why I felt the way I did.

I wish you all the best with it.

Also, it helped to press a 10 lb weight into the top portion of each tissue expander about 3-5 minutes once or twice daily. My ps told me to do this as it expands the space and helps prevent the tightness of the scar tissue. It sounds painful, but in reality it made the te's a bit softer and less tight feeling. Also waiting for my exchange. Less than a week to go now. Can't wait for these te to be out. Take care and thanks to all of our police officers for keeping us safe.