Post Mastectomy Pain and Tightness

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jeaniept
jeaniept Member Posts: 49
edited March 2019 in Surgery - Before, During, and After

My surgery was February 27. Today is March 15. I had a mastectomy of my left breast and on my right side, I had a post cancer reconstruction implant taken out and scar tissue removed. That implant was the bane of my existence and caused me so much pain for 9 years. I find myself still in a lot of discomfort and pain, especially on the right side where a lot of work was done. I also feel like I'm swollen still. How long did it take everyone else to have these symptoms resolve? Thanks for anything you can share. I also don't know how much activity should be participating in. My husband today was upset that I did the laundry and said that it was probably something that could set me back, bending over to put things in and take them out of the dryer.

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited March 2019

    Hi Jeanie! We're "bumping" your post in the hopes it will get back into active topics and get you some answers from the ever-helpful members here. Sorry, weekends are kind of quiet around here, but we hope this helps!

    --The Mods

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  • B-A-P
    B-A-P Member Posts: 525
    edited March 2019

    did they give you exercises to keep your shoulders mobile and chest less tight ? I had to start exercises the day of surgery. I had my surgery on the 26th and I’m still a bit tight in the chest and my left arm has some cording so I’m experiencing a lot of tightness there. I was advised no lifting over 5lbs for 6-8 weeks so I do very light housework and let my husband take over .

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  • jeaniept
    jeaniept Member Posts: 49
    edited March 2019

    Hi! Thanks so much for your reply. I have not been given any exercises yet. I was told it would be okay to shrug my shoulders forwards and backwards and lift my arms up just a little bit the last time I saw my plastic surgeon which was over a week ago. As far as doing anything more than that, he told me to wait until March 22nd, when I see him again. I asked if I would have physical therapy and he said that he would be happy to write out a prescription if he sees the need. I don't want everything to lock up again and I don't want to do too much. So hard to find a balance! : )

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  • B-A-P
    B-A-P Member Posts: 525
    edited March 2019

    interesting how different the process is in different places. I was sent to Physio before surgery for a pre assessment , and she gave me day by day exercises to keep things mobile starting the day of surgery. It has been a great help and my mobility isn’t too bad. And like I said, I have lifting restrictions. I saw her yesterday two weeks post and she noticed cording (so did i) and did a little massage. I’ll be going back to see her.

    Seeing a Physio can certainly help with your tightness !

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  • jeaniept
    jeaniept Member Posts: 49
    edited March 2019

    Wow, that's great! I have never been to a physiotherapist; in fact I had to Google what they do. That was so proactive that you were sent before the surgery. Very smart. I'm glad that you are doing well! I am going to contact my doctor Monday with a few questions. I don't feel like waiting till my appointment on 3/22. I know from experience how fiendish scar tissue can be! I will ask if seeing a physiotherapist would be a good idea. thanks! : )

    Be well,

    Jeanie

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  • rachelcarter35
    rachelcarter35 Member Posts: 368
    edited March 2019

    I think i was still tight at your point in my recovery. I found some very helpful videos of gentle exercises on Memorial Sloan's you tube channel. I didn't start them till I got a go ahead from my plastic surgeon. I think that that was a good 8 weeks after surgery. It's weird - it has only been a year and I already forget my timeline. Crawling my fingers up a wall a little more each day was my number one exercise.

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