activity after lumpectomy

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momstrong
momstrong Member Posts: 13
edited March 2016 in DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ)

how soon after your lumpectomy did you start being more active? how quickly did you ramp up activity levels (how quickly did you go outside again? how much quickly did you start walking longer distances? etc.) don't want to go too quickly but also don't want to spend too much time in bed

thanks for input

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  • ElaineTherese
    ElaineTherese Member Posts: 3,328
    edited March 2016

    I went to work the day after my lumpectomy. It was the first day of classes at my college, and I went to my class and distributed my syllabus (with the help of my husband, who is also a professor). The lumpectomy wasn't much of a hindrance to any activity. What was more problematic was the removal of lymph nodes from under my armpit. The surgeon took out all Levels 1 and 2 nodes (a total of 20). That surgery reduced my range of motion and made it difficult for me to reach very high to write on the board. That surgery also left me with a drain, which had to be strategically placed in my clothing so it didn't hang out all over the place and gross people out.

    As for the lumpectomy itself, I did develop a seroma which had to be drained before I began rads. But, otherwise, it wasn't much of a big deal. My lumpectomy was on my right side, so I just slept on my left side until it healed.

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  • Kkubsky
    Kkubsky Member Posts: 231
    edited March 2016

    I was up and around within a few days. I was a bit more tired than usual. Didn't really spend time in bed unless I took a nap. I think I just took it somewhat easy for a little while but was up and walking quickly. I didn't have to take any kind of pain meds. The recovery was fast. I had my lumpectomy 3 weeks ago and I am back to all activity. Been that way for a while. I think you just have to play it by ear and see how you feel.

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  • tgtg
    tgtg Member Posts: 266
    edited March 2016

    Lumpectomy on Monday, took a day of quiet activity and a moderate-paced walk on Tuesday, and went to gym on Wednesday to resume leg resistance work on legs and lower back as well as cardio (treadmill). Did this with the surgeon's blessing--and his interdiction of doing arm/chest work until he gave his OK. The lumpectomy incision gave no problems at all, but the SNB incision was a bit annoying because of its location.

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  • Annette47
    Annette47 Member Posts: 957
    edited March 2016

    I had a bad reaction to some pain meds they gave me after (8 hours of being out of it and puking) so was pretty beat the next day, but after that went pretty much back to normal activity, although I was careful about using that arm because of the node removal. I even went jogging less than a week later - I just strapped the girls in tight with double sports bras and did fewer miles than usual.

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  • momstrong
    momstrong Member Posts: 13
    edited March 2016

    thanks everyone!!

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