Double mastectomy- return to work?

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LizzyG32
LizzyG32 Member Posts: 5
edited April 2018 in Surgery - Before, During, and After

I am having a double mastectomy with TE in May. I hope to return to work 16 days after surgery. Is this too soon? I can take it easy and am not required to do a lot of lifting with my job.

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  • Peacetoallcuzweneedit
    Peacetoallcuzweneedit Member Posts: 233
    edited April 2018

    I did not return for six weeks...16 days???? I am sure you could if you are healing well...you might have drains at that point still...just depends...you can take your drains to work...you would just need different garments to make it easier. You might want to have a back up plan in case you find you need more time to heal..

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  • MercyP
    MercyP Member Posts: 2
    edited April 2018

    I was told by my breast surgeon that the more activity you do, the more fluid will build up and fluid = bacteria and bacteria = infection. 🤷🏻

    At 16 days I wasn't feeling ready to go back to work. (My job requires a lot of arm movement.) Listen to your body and don't push it. It needs time to recover and heal!

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  • LizzyG32
    LizzyG32 Member Posts: 5
    edited April 2018

    thanks for responding ladies! I’m 32 and very active. So I think I am having a hard time accepting I may have to slow down... but I am hoping my age and activity habits help me out. I will for sure make a back up plan, just incase...

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  • SummerAngel
    SummerAngel Member Posts: 1,006
    edited April 2018

    I was 45 and active when I had my surgery. I returned to work after 3 weeks and it wasn't a problem. If you typically heal quickly and don't tend to have issues with infections, etc, you should be okay to return to a desk job in that amount of time since you are young and active. It's definitely good to make sure your employer knows that your plan could change, though.

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  • sm627
    sm627 Member Posts: 298
    edited April 2018

    Hi Lizzy,

    I'm 33 and had my mastectomy Last Summer . I took a month off from work because I was so tired and took so many naps during the day. I knew I would not be able to function and I would not be able to get anything accomplished at work. I would have become the expert on sleeping on the job. LOL

    Please listen to your body and take it easy!

    Take Care

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  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited April 2018

    I returned to desk work very part time at a week (5 hours per week), added hours at 2 weeks (to about 15 hours per week), worked "normal hours" by 3 weeks, and was back to work on a fire engine at 6 weeks. I had zero complicaitons though, and I do heal quickly from surgeries.

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  • Slam627
    Slam627 Member Posts: 2
    edited April 2018

    Im 38 and had a double mastectomy 9 days ago. My HCPs have seemed surprised by how quickly I am recovering, but I got my drains out one week post surgery and have been doing very well. I do tire easily but my range of motion has been very good. I can raise my hands above my head pretty easily and have been able to do so for most of my recovery.

    I had sentinel node biopsies on both sides but no other nodes removed. I also had the tissue expanders placed over the muscle rather than under (because my repair later will be flap surgery, sub-muscle was not necessary.) I think both of those things have helped my recovery.

    Anyway, I don't know what you do, but I could go back to work at least part of the day at this point. I am an attorney so I mostly sit at a desk all day. And I can shut my door and be "off" for a little while if necessary.

    I wouldn't count on being able to return and would make other plans, but it could happen.

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited April 2018

    Slam627, welcome to our community, and thank you for sharing your experience Very pleased to hear that you are recovering so quickly.

    Indeed important that everyone listens to their body, and just takes the time they need.

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