The exercises will stretch it. I had it within a few weeks of surgery and the puffy feeling under the arm and breast inflammation got really bad during chemo. I was wearing body compression stuff and massaging to keep it down. Once chemo finished my lymphodema physio did laser to the most painful areas. Once that was done...3 sessions is all it needed the armpit puffiness went. I had normal arm movement and don't need my compression sleeve. Breadt puffibess has now gone. When travelling now I find a pillow under my arm stops the lymph drainage being cut off from lack of movement.
Most is very treatable without surgery. Hopefully this will be the same for you. The stretches are painful but can snap that web. X
