Mastectomy Recovery-what's normal

Hi! I don't know what "normal" is yet, but I just found out several days ago that I will be part of the BC club. Much love! ❤❤

As uncomfortable as it may be at first, the best thing you can do for your recovery is to start moving your arm and stop cradling it. Try some slow gentle stretching to get you started.

Have you spoken to your doctor? We are all different and our recoveries can be quite varied, but I really encourage you to get some movement happening. Best wishes.

Nerve pain is normal and may continue for some time. Have you seen a Physiotherapist? A PT visited me in hospital the morning after my surgery and I began an exercise program right away. Building on it day by day. I have a full range of motion.

Its funny all Dr;s are different. I read on here and other sites, about exercises, arm movements etc. I asked Dr about it he said use your arm like normal. No exercises needed. I was able to wash my hair day 2 after surgery. I do some shoulder rolls, and pretty much arm is good. I am working on more range of motion as I had a cat scan the other day and they wanted my arm above my head that didnt happen. But no pain in arm just need to stretch it out If you dont use it is could freeze up. I also asked about a lymphedema sleeve as my friend had an issue with that and he said no I didnt one, and I havent.

Good Luck

Shannon I haven't had any issues with lymphedema. Hope I never do but it can crop up years after surgery.

Good luck with your recovery. Hugs.

My surgery was on a Friday afternoon and I wash able to wash my hair and pull T-shirts over my head by Sunday. It's not that long since your surgery Goincrzy8. It will get better.

Exercizing is important but be careful to follow what your doc recommends. I had a BMX and was told not to raise my arms above my shoulder level for quite some time. The first one I was allowed was 'wall walking' - walking your fingers up the wall to shoulder level.

Hello! I had a unilateral mastectomy approx 4 weeks ago. Under my arm and chest feels very tight. How long will this last? I am doing my exercises and I do have pretty good range of motion, but not quite as good as the unaffected arm. If I do the "wall crawl" exercise. I am about 1 inch away from being able to reach as far as the unaffected arm can reach.... but so far, I can't get there.... feels like my under arm is going to rip in half, haha! So I'm trying not to force it, just trying to make progress bit by bit. Thought about PT, but I feel I'm doing well on my own.

cliff,

I had no feeling for quite some time after my umx (like more than a year). It was wicked weird to shave under my arm, I had to look at what I was doing as I couldn't feel a thing. But slowly, over time, I've actually gotten the feeling back in the skin on my right foob and even in my armpit. It is possible. I tried to ignore it, so I'm not even certain at what point it came back

Janney, we are all different, heal at different rates and have different job demands, but I was back to work after a week or two. I was a therapist, so aside from wearing large, loose sweaters to hide my drain, I could sit and work without any problem. Consider how fast you heal and the demands of your job (both mental and physical) as these will be big factors in how long you should plan on being able to be away. I started back with a day or two of half days, doing paperwork and attending some clinical meetings before I started scheduling patients. After one month, I was back doing my normal routine.

Janney03--You aren't crazy. We all have to make our own choices. I elected bilateral mastectomy after my diagnosis because I also found out I was BRCA2 positive. I had so-called immediate reconstruction, too. My surgeon told me having the "immediate" reconstruction (tissue expanders) makes the recovery more difficult than just the mastectomy itself. I was off work for 2 1/2 weeks, and couldn't wash my hair for nearly that long. But my surgeon just told me to do what I felt I could do, just not lift anything heavier than 5 lbs for six weeks. Within a couple of months I could do almost anything. But as others have explained, recovery varies widely among patients.