Post surgery recovery

Hi Lblodwin welcome to the forum.

You are very very early in your recovery on day 4 and you be very tender, bruised most likely and definetely swollen. This will take time to settle and may extend to weeks as opposed to days. The exercises are designed to ensure that you regain as much movement  as you can and return to a full range of movement so keep doing those and keep pushing as you feel able to. 

Im not surprised that you are a bit anxious but worrying about Lymphoedema is a bit further maybe down the line for you and you will be swollen just now but again the exercises that they give you are designed to get you moving so that the risk of Lymphoedema is reduced greatly.

Im not sure about when is best to start wearing the bra again and I would have thought that they would have given you this information on discharge but I am sure some of the lovely folks on here will pop on soon and give their  best advice for you re this.

Look after yourself and if you are getting the chance, take all the spoiling you can get just now. xxxx

Hello Iblodwin  I think you are doing brilliantly.  It is only 4 days since major surgery with an anaesthetic.  Each one of us is different so that probably means that you should give yourself a week at least to heal.  I don't think that there is a particular time when to start wearing a bra again.  I am still wearing my very soft front fastening one because it is comfortable.  I had a lumpectomy and auxiliary node clearance at the end of June but had to have a second op at the end of July to get some residual cells at the margin.  Exercises are very important, so well done for doing them.  The ease of movement will improve but may take a while.  Don't force it while it is healing.  I found the one walking up the wall was rather painful at first but is OK now.  Lymphoedema is certainly a possibility and something to be avoided.  I don't know how quickly it comes on.  There will be swelling after surgery and for me a lot of bruising.  I share your anxiety and I was very concerned at first but I am feeling better now.  Whilst I think that one has to try to get on with what has happened it is also necessary to acknowledge major surgery and anaesthesia and the after effects.  Be kind to yourself, you are doing really well and have a great positive attitude which is excellent.  Take care, listen to your body and try not to be too impatient.  (I am a very impatient person so it is pot calling the kettle, but I am trying to be sensible.) Wishing you all the best.

Thank you so much Thirds and . Your responses are so reassuring. Which is what I needed. It's difficult to know what to expect. Sometimes I think I'm expecting too much and trying to do too much other times I wonder if I'm being too cautious. But I've realised it depends very much on where I am with the pain killers. I'm trying to get everything right but not sure what right is. I am very tender and yes, I suppose swelling is down to the op rather than any lymphoedema. I see the BCN again on day 7 so will be able to ask my questions and get more guidance. Hopefully drains will go then too plus dressing changed. I do have an option of drains out earlier depending on how much they drain so monitoring those. Meanwhile I'll take your advice and take things steady. Thanks again for your responses. Very much appreciated.

Hi folks, two weeks post surgery. Drains out. So very uncomfortable under arm...I had node clearance... How long before its comfortable. Trying to get off pain killers but difficult when it's so sore. (No inflammation or redness). I feel like it should be better than this at this stage. Still got restricted movement. Sore for arm to hang down next to body. Want to hold it away from body all the time. Is this normal?

I'm still doing the exercise. Anyone had a similar experience?

Getting the drain out is such a relief isn't it?  I bought a little cushion from the internet to hang down between my arm and my body.  It helped.  I was really fortunate in not having a lot of pain.  Node clearance can be very bad and my surgeon warned me.  I also found having a cushion under my elbow when I laid on my back to sleep helped.  It will take a little while and I have some numbness in the upper arm.  My surgery was on 21st June.  Do keep on with the exercises although I found the one where you creep your fingers up the wall was really hard.  It will get better and you just have to be patient.  Take pain killers when you need them.  All the best and take care.  Try to stay positive.  It gets easier everyday but can be slow.  You are doing well.  Sending you a virtual hug.

Thanks Thirds  I am struggling at the moment. I think I probably need to be more consistent with painkillers and more patient. Hopefully will feel better tomorrow. Need to get a decent nights sleep. Yes, I too use a cushion... It is essential and a great comfort. Thanks for the hug. Much appreciated. Take care.

Not sure if this is any help for you. I was given this link on the bottom of my exercises sheet posted to me: 

http://yoursurgeryandrehab.co.uk/home/

It does take a while for your body to adjust not just from the drugs but all the poking around that they do. good luck x

Hi Iblodwin, as Thirds has said, use a little cushion underneath your arm when sitting, and sleeping, you can get a free mastectomy cushion from Jens friends on Facebook, you just pay the p&p, it’s heart shaped so fits right underneath the top of your arm, and when in a car, you can put it under the seat belt across the surgery area, couldn’t have done without mine, they really do help x

Hi Iblodwin

I am glad to hear that your drains are out and I am sorry to hear that you are still in pain. Hopefully you’ll feel better soon. Sending you a hug.

Daisy53

Hi Iblodwin, sorry to hear you’re sore and uncomfortable. I’m in the same boat nearly 3 weeks post node clearance plus SMX with implant reconstruction. I thought I’d drop the paracetamol every fours last weekend but have gone back to it today. 

I had to have fluid drained off a couple of times because it was stopping me straightening my arm plus it made the exercises difficult. That seems to be decreasing now but it’s still really sore and tender under my armpit and just a little away along the underside of my arm. Movement is ok, still a way off what it was before but I also think I’m holding back because it doesn’t feel right.

Saw the surgeon yesterday and she said it’s all perfectly normal and to carry on with pain relief and exercises. 

Sleeping has been better this week, still lying like a queen propped up on pillows although think that’s because I’m getting used to it. Can’t wait to be able to sleep on my side again though..

Sorry to say but I think we both need to be patient xx