Lifting

Hi 

I’ve just had lumpectomy and lymph node biopsy 10 days ago. Keep up with the physio they give you to do that really helps as does stretching. I was given codeine and paracetamol. Stopped codeine after one day it made me feel awful! Still taking paracetamol. 
with regards to carrying and lifting I’ve carried on as normal unless it’s really heavy, use your week off to refrain from much and let others help you! 
I found it was more painful going into the second week. 
hoovering and ironing are a no no but you’ll know yourself how you’re healing when back in work and just be careful . 
good luck with everything

Hi Schtompy 

As with everything, it will vary person to person. When I had this op last year I had paracetamol for maybe a couple of days but didn’t need anything else as wasn’t in any real pain, more a little bit uncomfortable. I did most lightweight things in the house straight away but maybe give digging the garden a bit of a miss for a while! By four weeks post op I was back in the gym carefully lifting light weights, you’ll know what feels okay for you. Definitely do the exercises and keep them up, it really helps. 

Good luck with everything. x 

Hi Schtompy , great replies already, and a definite takeaway is that everyone is different! In my case, I only took one dose of paracetamol when I got back home after day surgery. I didn’t need any pain relief after that. But each op is different in terms of size, length and depth of incision. I had discomfort and weird sensations over the following couple of weeks rather than pain. Re lifting, just be cautious. Nothing that doesn’t feel comfortable and I found reaching for stuff (eg on a high shelf) didn’t feel right so I used my other hand/ arm wherever possible. I don’t think I’d have wanted to carry a loaded tray initially. And I wanted to keep the arm on the operated side sort of tucked in when out and about as I felt vulnerable. 
As others have said, do the exercises regularly as they really help with getting full movement back. 
Good luck with it all, love and hugs, HFxx

Not just me with the crying then!! I’ve no idea what’s going on with that!

I had a lumpectomy and sentinal biopsy 4 weeks ago and made the mistake of thinking I was absolutely fine as soon as surgery was over. Got a take away as hadn't eaten all day and was so hungry so lifted plates out, boiled the kettle,  made my daughters packed lunch for the next day etc so simple things but didn't realise I was putting strain on the wound till felt slight twinges then the drugs wore off and I really felt it! Hospital gave me Codeine and paracetamol to take home and I had to take codeine that night. Thought I was supposed to keep arm active and within a week was chopping vegetables, doing laundry etc. Ended up with a haematoma and wound still bleeding 4 weeks on. Found pre cancerous cells around the lump so will be going in for 2nd op this week and know to definitely rest the arm as much as possible (even carrying stuff on the good arm was causing strain across chest).  So I would say as your work is physical then definitely take time off, I think I heard the hospital offering the patients a 2 week sick like for those who needed it