Recovery Time

IK- I had bmx on Nov 15th and went home on Nov 16th less then 24 hrs out of surgery. I had prepec tissue expanders (TE) placed at time of mastectomies. I wasn't taking any narcotics and have a huge issue with passenger anxiety so I drove part way home from the hospital. It was challenging due to difficulty turning head because my chemo port was placed and hurt if I turned my head to much, I was also limited on range of motion in my arms obviously. I was off work for a month due to wt restrictions.

Everyone and every doctor is different on restrictions. Do what you can in the limitations you are given. If you feel up to going and doing things do it, just remember the surgery is a major surgery and your body will need time to recover, physically and mentally!!

Best of luck!!😊

~Katie💗

I had my surgery 4/23. I was in the hospital barely 24 hours. I started driving at about 2 1/2 weeks. The hardest part for me was reaching forward to bump the turn signal up. -and speed bumps! At about 4 weeks I started back to work from home sitting at a desk. It was fine as long as I took frequent breaks. I have recently started going in and find that focus is still hard for me. I do better from home.

As far as abdominal swelling... I kept wondering that myself. I've now resigned myself to the fact that it's just my belly. I guess my giant boobs shielded it from my view!

How long was it before you were able blow-dry your hair and put on make-up? I need to attend my future daughter-in-laws bridal shower 12 days post-op.

happyperido I had a hard time with T. rex arms so I don't think my hair was perfect at 12 days PO but it was still presentable. Perhaps you can book a wash and blow dry with your stylist the day of the shower

I was encouraged to start gentle stretching in the first week after my Uni, skin and nipple sparing mastectomy with immediate reconstruction to implant. Here is a link with examples of stretches / exercises:

https://www.cancer.org/cancer/breast-cancer/treatment/surgery-for-breast-cancer/exercises-after-breast-cancer-surgery.html

I did the stretches religiously, but it was swimming that allowed me to fully restore the range of motion (it was summer time, so once my PS cleared me to swim, I did just that and I swear, I could feel the difference very fast).

This time around, after lymph nodes removal, I was also encouraged to start stretching immediately after the surgery, however, be careful not to raise arms above my head for two to three weeks.

Work-wise, I found it a challenge to do full days in the first two months. I did work some, but not nearly as much as I usually do. I jumped into work full-swing once my medical leave was over (two months).

Word of cation to my fellow workaholics : if you have to travel abroad, especially long-haul, please do check with your doctors and do bring your first aid kit with you...Three months post mastectomy, I had to go to Russia, to audit the local office over there, and my incision got inflamed. After consulting with PS over the phone, I managed to get all the medicines I needed, including antibiotics, but it took nearly two days. I wish I had the meds available from the start.

My mother had her lumpectomy two days ago. Her surgeon was very pleased stating he removed the tumor and the lymph nodes removed did not have cancer. Mom took her bandages off tonight and said she's pretty swollen. She hasn't had a fever, not a lot of pain, and no drainige. I'm just wondering if this is expected. Thanks!