Is this normal?

Hi @CathyMac
I have double mastectomy so different to you, but it did take me possibly about 3 months before I didn't feel so tight... I also had infections along the suture line so that meant not doing some of the exercises until later on. I am sure some of the ladies who have had single mastectomy will answer you and give you feedback.

hugs 
Soldiercrab

@CathyMac I had single side mastectomy with expander in.  I didn't have what you're describing. Have you been told that you can massage it yet? Maybe not, because of infections. It might be scar tissue, which you'll be able to massage later; but dealing with the infections would be a priority now. Do you have an expander or implant in, or did you go flat?

@Flaneuse I am flat. I just want everything to come back online after christmas so I can move forward. My first physio appointment is on the 16th January but it just seems so far away. I'm meant to go back to work on Monday and I'm just feeling like I could not cope being as uncomfortable as I am.

Hey @CathyMac  I absolutely hear you.  I had my single mast in Oct and it took me a good 6 or 7 weeks until I started to feel comfortable and coped with all of my exercises.  Now I feel good but I really thought because it was so tight and right back to the chest wall I would never be able to raise my arm high or hold it there.  It will come good. It has only been the last 4 weeks that I can now sleep on that side as well.  I was told to massage my scar as much as I can to keep the inside of the scar to adhering to the chest wall and this I found hard but did it gently. I was also told to have the hyperfix on the length of my scar for up to 4 months as it helps the scar.  Good luck with it all and just be patient with yourself . Big hugs  xox

There does seem to be an enormous amount of variability. I had no expander (well, before the seroma set in🙂) but had a lot of easy mobility straightaway. Others have to work at it for weeks or months. Infections will probably slow things down, but if there is no redness now and the community nurses are satisfied that all is well, I regret that time and exercise is going to be the solution. We all get how frustrating that is. Best wishes. 

There does seem to be an enormous amount of variability. I had no expander (well, before the seroma set in🙂) but had a lot of easy mobility straightaway. Others have to work at it for weeks or months. Infections will probably slow things down, but if there is no redness now and the community nurses are satisfied that all is well, I regret that time and exercise is going to be the solution. We all get how frustrating that is. Best wishes. 

@CathyMac. I had needling in my scar because it was so tight. That fixed it. 
Needling is done using a tattoo needle without ink.

Hi Cathy, I had a single mastectomy 8 yrs ago. I found the tightness improved abit after 6wks and I could be fitted with a prosthesis.Now here’s the weird thing- when I have pressure against my chest from the prosthesis,it feels almost normal.But without it, my chest feels tight like it has duck tape strapped around it. I suspect I have adhesions and having had radiation to that area 15trs ago wouldn’t help either.It really does take a long time for it all to settle down and even then,you’ll probably find you are left with some numbness and possibly some tightness but we are all different.

Yep single right side masectomy at least 6 to 8 wks of tightness . You must do what exercise you can even if its only shoulder rolls. When you can massage the chest wall get physio to show you how to do it properly. Infection makes it bit tricky take it easy dont expect too much too early a little bit goes a long way. Dont rush you are allowed to feel sore and tired just take the time to heal. Take all the time you need. Pure rosehip oil helped the scar after no infection just dont be too hard on yourself  take the time you need to adjust.  

I had a single side mx end of November. My chest felt tight for the first three weeks and now it has good and bad days. Under and down my arm is also tight due to anx clearance but I am able to lift my arm a little higher each day. I did not have any infections post surgery so mine was straight forward. All of our bodies respond differently to surgery and the community nurses have seen a lot so just let them advise you. My BC nurse told me I was being silly because I was concerned about a little bit of swelling! Needless to say, I don’t go to her with my concerns anymore. The district nurses on the other hand were fabulous.