Recovering from a mastectomy

Hi Coco66. I had my mastectomy 6 months ago. It does take time and the only advice I can give is  carry on with the exercises. Use your arm normally and you will get full mobility back eventually.  Unfortunately if you have had any node removal the numbness may never come back I was told off my surgeon.  Good luck x

I had a mx with implant in 2018 and there are still numb areas, I suspect the advice to not wear wired bras may be for that reason too, so you don’t rub skin which is numb.

Keep doing your shoulder exercises, I didn’t have any other treatment apart from hormone busting drugs (Letrozole and now Tamoxifen) but shoulders don’t like being immobile at all and stiffen when you least expect it, for what seems no reason at all.

Hugs xxx

Hello Forrest1865, thank you so much for your response.  I will keep up the exercises, I try each day to lift my arm a little higher.  I did have node removal so guess I will have to try and get used to the sensation.  I hope you are recovering well x

Hello Moomy sounds like the numbness will never disappear completely no surprise really.  I have ordered a couple of bras especially to wear the prothesis for now hopefully they will be comfortable.   I am not able to have an implant but will need reconstruction using my own tissue.  Thanks for your response x

Hi coco66 I am like you and had my mastectomy 2 and a half months ago and also auxillary clearance 5 weeks ago. I too feel like you do and some days i think is this ever going to get better. I too get funny sensations shooting pains numbness and my arm is so stiff. I keep doing the excercises like everyone says and just hope that it will improve. Some days it really gets me down. Thanks for putting your post on as at least I know it must be normal .

I hope yours improves soon and your recovery goes well x

Hi Stren70 and Coco66. I had a left mastectomy on 1st June. I still have the burning sensation under my arm where the lymph nodes were removed. Also some days my arm feel stiffer than other days. I am persevering with the exercises as advised. My skin above the mastectomy area feels very sensitive. When I wear a bra I feel a burning sensation where the seem of the bra is. I still find it difficult sleeping on my left side. Thanks for your posts I feel a more reassured.

Hope you are both doing well xx

Hi just saw your post please dont worry it can take quite a while to start feeling normal again. It is a very slow progress. all the sensations and feeling normal will return. I had my mastectomy 17 years ago and even now i can get a stingy feeling or pins a needles sensation, and if i am coming down with a cold under my arm aches where the lymph nodes were taken out but nothing to bad my friend also has the same feelings 10 years on. I would say after the first year things start to settle down try not to hurry thing just take your time and keep on doing the exercises you were give these are very important for a full recovery i can not stress that enough take care and a speedy recovery

Hello Oregano, these sensations and feelings are all normal.  I must admit I rang the hospital last week as I was having some jabbing pain but was told it is caused from the radiation therapy I had so has helped ease my worries. I can now move my left arm as normal but it took time and patience and has already said by wino just keep doing the exercises it is very important.  I bought a couple of sloggi bras, they are not the most attractive bras but they are the most comfortable ones I have found.  I also bought a pair of bras especially for a prothetic but I find them uncomfortable.  I have seen a plastic surgeon and hope to have reconstructive surgery hopefully early next year.  I have to finish my chemo tablets first and still have a few months to go.  My scar still feels odd but as wino has said sounds like some feelings may never completely go.  It does bug me at times but I just keep telling myself the alternative to not having surgery would not have ended well and I am alive.  Wishing you all the best xx

Hello Wino, your reply to Oregano is very helpful to me as well.  To know that everything we feel is completely normal and to be expected even years later.

Coco66, you are welcome its only natural to be concerned. If you have any worries please post as there is always someone on here who has experience whatever you are going through and can offer help. Take care x