Forum Discussion
First surgery coming up
Hi, I have a lumpectomy and removal of lymph nodes coming up. I have been given lots of information about the surgery itself, but they haven’t said anything to me yet about managing afterwards ie wha...
JacquiS Before discharge I was given a short info sheet from the hospital about what to expect during recovery, wound care, and what not to do including "No running/jumping or bouncing for 6 weeks" - my surgeon was a little surprised when he saw that notation a few weeks later and said I could bounce if I want to (I definitely didn't feel like it so soon!).
I struggled a bit using the post-surgery Berlei bra because I didn't have strength in my arm to do up the closures on my own. Crop tops came in handy (though they were a bit hard to put on at first due to limited arm movement) and I slept in them to keep my breasts from moving around at night. The hospital should tell you if you need compression or not. I went back to work a week after surgery and was wearing an wireless normal bra during the day but everyone is different.
Is the surgery on your dominant side? If so, it will take a bit of effort to use your non-dominant hand to do normal tasks like brushing teeth, cutting up food, or lifting things.
My breast care nurse had given me a booklet of exercises - she encouraged me to start doing them before surgery and then continue on post surgery. At first the limited range of movement felt frustrating but each day it got better.
I'd suggest stocking up on favourite foods and making sure you've got button or zip-up tops to wear as they will be easiest when you are first recovering. Baby wipes are good for a body-clean until you're ready to shower.
Listen to your body and go with the flow.
All the best.
Thank you so much for this - wet wipes are now on my shopping list :D
Thanks. It is on my dominant side. I have been told it will affect my arm movement, but it sounds like it’s pretty significant from what you are saying. I see the physio this Friday fir exercises to do post surgery.
Hearing about those difficulties you had is really helpful. It’s that kind of thing I feel so unsure about. Thanks
JacquiS My arm movement wasn't significantly impacted for long. I was brushing my teeth again with my affected side after a few days, driving the car four days following my sentinel node biopsy and a week and a half after my axillary dissection.
I took the surgeon's advice about not trying to do things above shoulder height at first. I found it quite easy to tell how much movement my arm wanted and not over-doing it.
The complicating thing was anything that required pushing or pulling (opening a fridge door, using cutlery, using a stapler at work) my arm didn't have the strength at first but I made do with my non-dominant side until my dominant side was ready. Everything was do-able.
The exercises are really helpful not only for the muscles but the mind as well as you will notice improvements as you regain movement.
