How long will I need to be off work?

Hi Sam

i guess we’re all different in how long it takes to recover. My first op was a Wide Local Excision lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy and I was off work for around two weeks.  The second one was another lumpectomy but with a LTAP reconstruction and I reckon it was around 4 weeks before I felt I could sit in front of a computer all day, mostly because I had a more extensive scar. Even then I did part days at first and ramped up to full time.

Sorry to hear about the pain from your armpit. I haven’t experienced anything like that but I suggest you call your Breast Care Nurse and see what they suggest.  Hopefully you’ve been given some post surgery arm exercises to do to as well which should help.  I should imagine you’ll have your post-op follow-up appointment soon so you can ask more questions then regarding recovery time, but my advice is to take all the time you need to off work and not be governed by the paperwork 

With best wishes

Loffie x

Hi

The sandpapery feeling will wear off. Took about 6-8 weeks for me. Keeping it cool helps, and lots of moisturiser to stop dry rubbing.

I was back at work 13 days after surgery (mx/anc) on light duties. After 6 weeks I was back up ladders installing alarms, and shooting arrows.

But bear in mind we're all different.

If you can get some Arnica tablets do. It aids healing.

Don't forget your exercises, very important for getting full mobility back.

Mostly, be kind to yourself!!

Hugs

Karen

Hi. As already been said. We're all different. Also the work we do will be different. Plus of course factor in the current situation... 

See how you feel in yourself. Definitely keep up with the exercises. Recovery takes weeks and even months. So don't rush it. Talk to your breast care nurses if you're worried about the feeling in your armpit.

Hi,

as others have said, be guided by how you feel rather than time scales; a general anaesthetic takes 2-3 weeks to leave your system totally, even after a short op. And yes, do those exercises to keep your shoulder mobile. Scars do take a while to feel more normal, nerve endings have been cut so take time to recover. Gentle massage can help that.

Hugs xxx

I was told six weeks after my mastectomy,  and six weeks after my node clearance. I was told that it was to allow time for it to heal,  and also not stress the arm in case iit raised the risk of f lymphodema.

Hi Welcome to the site!

I'd echo what others have said ie that we're all different. Different incision sizes and positions (mine was the length of my index finger plus the knuckle, while a previous lumpectomy had been about an inch!), different depths depending on the location of the lump, different tasks at work. In my case, the hospital gave me a 2 week sick note, then GP gave a further month, then oncologist gave 2 more months to cover radiotherapy (I had to wait a while due to Christmas and New Year). Then a further month once rads finished. So 4 months in all. I worked as a special needs teacher so lots of physical work. My school were fantastic and encouraged me to take time to heal properly so I wouldn't be at risk when I returned. But some people here have gone back very quickly.

Also echo the advice re the post op exercises. It's important to do what's comfortable though, don't strain and if you think it doesn't feel right, contact the breast clinic. I developed a rather large haematoma so was back and forwards over the first week or so to have it checked, luckily it eventually dispersed itself but they wanted to keep an eye on it in case it needed to be drained. Quite the rainbow boob in the end, combination of the blue dye and the various colours of the haematoma! The exercises also matter in preparation for radiotherapy, if you're having it? As your arms will be placed above your head. I do remember a lot of numbness and tingling around the underarm, which took a while to go away, but it did in the end. I used pillows and cushions under that arm for quite a long time to give it support. 2 years on I'd say it still doesn't feel completely 'normal' so I think it will always feel a bit different.  

Love and a big (gentle) virtual hug, HFxx

I had lumpectomy and sential node biopsy on 8th Oct, i asked for sick note week later, and i go back 4th nov. I did seem to be healing but had a point where boob was very tender and i started getting sore throat. I did take co codemal and spoke to surgeon when i saw him on Tuesday, but things are fine now and what ever happened it has disappeared.

i have been using aloe vera cream and pernation which is an extract of green muscle gel, and that has helped with healing and pain.

Recovery time was never mentioned to me by the breast clinic, but then he gave me wrong info re chemo treatment, so don’t trust him anyway, but have been told that radiotherapy will not happen until January. i am seeing the consultant down there on Monday so will have a better idea.

Hi. I had 2 weeks off after my single mastectomy xx

I went back to work the day after surgery. Wouldn’t necessarily recommend that but it worked for me. The pain down your arm could be cording. There’s a section on the website which tells you about it. You should have got some exercises to do. If not ask for them. Do them even though you think you can’t. Do as much as you can. You must keep your arm moving. I had surgery 8 weeks ago and the pain down my arm seemed to get worse and worse. I thought I would not get the full use of my arm back. I kept on with the exercises and this week, magic. Much improvement. Keep going, it will get better but just needs time and those exercises!!!