How soon did you go back to work after bilateral mastectomy?

Options
Cpat
Cpat Member Posts: 1
edited March 2017 in IDC (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma)

I had my bilateral mastectomy feb 6 . My stitches are not all the way dissolved yet and my armpits are still very tender and my chest is very sensitive to touch even a seat belt irritates it .

I work in a factory where I do a lot of lifting and stretching. I'm scheduled to return to work the 27th but I'm becoming concerned that it may be too soon yet feeling guilty for being off so long .

How long does it take to heal and am I rushing it?

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited February 2017

    Cpat - most surgeon's orders require that you don't lift your arms above shoulder level for some time. Also that you don't lift much more than a quart of milk. Check with your doc to see what he says.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mustlovepoodles
    mustlovepoodles Member Posts: 2,825
    edited February 2017

    Cpat. I could not have handled factory work at 3 weeks post-op.  In fact, my BS had me on lifting restrictions for 8 weeks--nothing heavier than 5-lbs.  Considering that I had a huge hematoma followed by an even bigger seroma after my LX, I wasn't taking any chances with the BMX.  Better talk to your BS about going back to work. I'm thinking that he/she is going to quash all the lifting and stretching.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • gracie22
    gracie22 Member Posts: 229
    edited February 2017

    It's way too soon for a physical job. Most people who are able to return to work in 4 weeks or so are doing a desk job. It will take months for you to fully recover from the effects of a BMX. Do you have a light duty option at work? Some patients, myself included, don't start to have pain issues for months--a lot of the muscles involved are numb from the surgery and the pain can come weeks or months post op. Doing physical labor now is crazy; even if you can do it, there is no way to judge if you are damaging yourself due to the numbness caused by the surgery. It is even more complicated it you have had reconstruction surgery (you don't mention it so I assume you had a BMX without recon.) Talk to your doc and be straightforward about the demands of your job and go from there. Good luck!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Hopfull2
    Hopfull2 Member Posts: 418
    edited February 2017

    Hi coat, the 27th is way too soon. I'm still not back at work because I'm doing chemo but My BS gave me 6weeks to return to work and even then u can ask for restrictions for her to write something up.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Nursewant2b
    Nursewant2b Member Posts: 2
    edited March 2017

    I had a single mastectomy on the left side 3 and half weeks ago with the auxiliary dissection and 19 lymph nodes removed. Drains are out but still have so much pain and sensitivity under my arm and now a horrible burning sensation on my chest. I planned on going back to work this week but just couldn't so it. I have a desk job.

    I would not know how you could do it and be comfortable.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories