how long out of action/work after single masectomy - what to expect?

Hi Wicky

i think it’s different for many but I had a single mastectomy in June. Drain was removed the following day and I went home. My follow up appointment was about 2 weeks later just to check the scar was healing nicely.

The plan was revisited for me as they found some micro invasions ( previous biopsy suggested high grade DCIS). However nothing was found in the lymph nodes so plan didn’t change - they had already agreed the need for radiotherapy based on the size of the DCIS.

I then had an appointment pre rads to prepare me and explain side effects etc. 5 day rads started 8/8 and finished 14/8. I’ve had a late reaction to the rads over the last 2 weeks ie fatigue and redness. I was expecting to feel normal by now but am still far from it. I have a lot of tightness and discomfort. Don’t rush back to work too soon. Let your body recover. You may be lucky and bounce back quickly. 
Good luck. Sending hugs xx

thank you bethS, was you in overnight, as they said i would be out same day, if no drain needed, preparing to be in 1 night, hopefully no more than that. was you sore for a while, have the exercises ready to go, have just spoken to work and again, its take what you need, main thing for me is to get the op out of the way and then deal what ever comes next, all new to me but at least there is help and support out there, which i am grabbing with back hands.

thank you bethS, xx Jules

Yes I was in overnight. The drain as in less than 24 hours. Removed next morning and I went home in the afternoon. They give you pain killers for the first few days - it wasn’t that sore, more numb in the early days. Make sure you do the exercises - get into a routine. Each week you’ll notice improvements in your movement. Like you I was desperate to get the op out of the way. It’s a slow journey but I’m looking forward to going on holiday at the end of this month. 
Hope it goes well for you. Good luck. Xx