Post mastectomy and auxiliary clearance concerns ?

My surgery was a number of years ago so hard to recall timelines.  After surgery I experienced a fair bit of nerve pain under the arm (felt like blistering) and although vigilant with exercise, there was persistent tightness.  Upon my checkup, my surgeon told me it was cording and sent me off to a specialist massage/laser therapy clinic.  Sometimes this will resolve with one treatment, sometimes not.  Mine was the type that was persistent and came and went to some degree for about 18 months but I've not had a recurrence since.

Hi Zaza45​ 

I had a similar surgery - mastectomy and 17 lymph nodes - but I can't help about the mobility, mine was excellent, almost immediately. It depends of course a lot on exactly how the surgery has affected muscles and nerves. The weird feelings however seem to be quite common - my left underarm belonged to someone else for months! It's still (nearly 14 years!) a bit dodgy when it comes to feeling temperatures accurately - thankfully I don't wax! 

I work on the basis that pain is a warning not to overdo, so patience is required but due to my own experience with a protracted and large seroma, I tend to think that the benefits of a good lymphoedema therapist are underrated post mastectomy. As delightful18​ says, it may also be a good precaution if you have had several lymph nodes removed. I have lymphoedema, it's eminently manageable, but a good therapist has been invaluable. Early treatment, as for so many things, can save a lot of angst. Best wishes.

Hi, hope you are feeling some improvement with the post surgery exercises they give you. I had the same procedure done in 2024 at the same age as you now. Left breast mastectomy, axillary clearance (20 nodes removed) and an implant done in one surgery. I did all the exercises to the best of my ability. But it got progressively worse 2 weeks after the surgery, it was painful to touch or massage and I couldn’t stretch out my left arm or lift it. I suspected that I had cording -axillary web syndrome, a common side effect of breast surgery characterised by tight, string like bands under the skin of the inner arm, sometimes extending to elbow or hand. It causes pain and limited arm movement. After talking to the breast care nurse, she advised that I see a lymphedema specialised physiotherapist. It turned out my cording was pretty severe. After a few months of treatments and arm exercises, I was able to regain much better almost normal mobility. My lymphedema specialised physiotherapist also check up on me regularly for risks of lymphoedema. If you feel it is getting worse, please consult with your surgeon, breast care nurse etc. Best wishes with your recovery!

Zaza45​ You've been through a lot. 

I had a different surgery to you as I had sentinel node biopsy with lumpectomy, and then a second surgery for axillary dissection.  The second surgery took longer to recover arm movement - when I saw the radiation oncologist 3 weeks after surgery I couldn't get my arm up above my head and it put up a big resistance, but at the 6 week mark I could do it with only a little discomfort. 

I had weird sensations in the arm for about a month or so.

Now I'm just over 4 months post-surgery, I still have a bit of tension between the armpit and breast, and at the base of my shoulder blade, when I move my arm around in certain ways or if I lift a heavy object.

I can tell it's improving so I keep on exercising it every day. That would be my tip - keep on doing the exercises. And chat to your GP, surgeon or breast care nurse about your range of movement as they can give more specific advice if there are particular exercises that would most benefit you. 

Little by little you'll re-emerge into the world.

All the best with your recovery.