Recovery/Driving after Mascetomy

Hi Dee

I was told not to drive for 2-3 weeks so I didn't but by 2 weeks I probably could have. I think it is a question of insurance like when u have a c section u r not to drive for 6 weeks. The main pain for me came not from the mastectomy but from the lymph node removal. The arm on that side for me was difficult to move and painful. You are seen by a Physio the day after the surgery who will give you exercises to do. Do them religiously and it helps. But it does take time. I couldn't get over how much of a problem the arm was for me as I got cording which is common. You will have 2 drains in for a good while post op so bring big safety pins to pin them to your button through pjs. Easier for getting to the loo etc. Plenty of wet wipes and sports top water bottles I also found good. There are some earlier posts by a girl called Flo on what to take to hospital etc which I found good. I am right handed and surgery for me was to the right side which might have made things worse. Definitely mastectomy site wasn't sore but arm was. Best of luck dear.

Oh meant to say that I wasn't laid up in bed. The day after surgery I was up and dressed and walking round. Couldn't shower for a few days though so wet wipes at was!

Hiya!!
It was a couple of weeks before I was able to drive about- I had my left side done so the gears and all that stuff needed to be addressed.

I built up by doing short trips and then would go for longer, but alas I do remember the cabin fever that went with those few weeks.

At the end if the day I suppose common sense prevails- you'll know as time goes on what you're able for.

As for the op, like Dane said I was up and walking around the morning after. The physio will sort you out with some arm exercises- get cracking on those- it will make the recovery easier, and even now I try to use and move my affected arm as much as poss!!

Good luck mrs!

Hi Dee, it was the lack of movment in my arm post surgery that I was totally unprepared for. The physio documentation that the hopsital gave me said not to drive for 6 weeks but my insurance company said as long as Dr gave me go ahead I could and they didn't require any proof. BC nurses said as soon as I felt up to it but not to rush. It was 4 .5 weeks before I did and even though I thought I was probably ready a bit earlier, it was quite hard opening and closing door and long journeys would have been quite hard on the arm. So you may need to play it by ear and also left side may mean longer off due to gears.

And as the others said there is no need to be laid up in bed for a couple of weeks and you are encouraged to be up and walking day after and it does help to keep mobile, but equally get plenty of rest too and put feet up as much as you can. I think its the combination of rest and some movement walking etc that is best. And also do the exercises. It can seem very frustrating after a few weeks to still feeel numb and not have full movment but from my experience it was really only after about 5 weeks that I started to see real improvement and am finally almost there I think at the 8 weeks stage.

Best of luck

Hi Dee
You'll be surprised how quickly those weeks go when you're not chauffeuring. I had surgery on my left side so had same issues with changing gears, etc.
I don't recall having pain but it was more uncomfortable and I was afraid I would do something that would ruin the gorgeous job done on me. If I was to do it again I wouldn't be as cautious or mindful of my arm.
You will be out of bed the next day when the physio will be in to start exercises with you.
The anaesthetic takes a fair whack out of you which I reckon is a big contributor to the tiredness you feel. I tended to stay up as much during the day so that I would sleep at night. It mightn't be any harm getting a V-shaped pillow to give you comfort in bed. I had a load of pillows and slept nearly sitting up.
I'm struggling to remember everything that happened after I came out of hospital. Oh, we put a ban on visitors for the first week after I got home. I used it as time to adjust to it all, and by the following week I was much stronger to meet people and enjoy their company more.
Best of luck, hope it goes well x

Hi dee, I was surprised at how mobile I was after surgery after a day I was up and about, the arm was more of a problem for me, with the expander in, and the pec muscle moved it was a new sensation every time I moved my arm, it's just something you have to get used to. I took a good few weeks before i was driving again, the gears were the problem.

Make sure you do your exercises to get full movement back quicker!! Best of luck. It's not a nice surgery. Someone recommended to me to ask for a seditive before going down to surgery, and I was sad I didn't take that advice. I was very upset fighting back the tears going down for mine. But 6 months on, life goes on!

Pretty much same advise as above but the one thing which I really wish I'd known to maybe expect was the skin hypersensitivity that I got as my skin healed. My skin was so sensitive on that side that even the lightest of materials touching off it was hell for a couple weeks. I was told after that its normal but if I'd known that before I think I'd of been better prepared for it.
Build up of fluid behind your incision can also cause extra pain so be sure to tell them if your pain is bad. It's easy & painless to drain that extra fluid & it really gives relief if its a prob for u.
Def do ur exercises. Don't think as I did that once I could my arm I was ok. I improved so much faster once I started doing them. They're designed to get particular muscles working which moving your arm alone will never do.
And finally, take the sedative. I was good in the days leading up to my surgery but couldn't stop crying the day off while waiting in pre-op. It def made things a little easier.

It was a much bigger surgery than I had anticipated. I thought that I'd be flying it in a couple weeks but but it took a good 4 weeks before I started feeling better & now at 6 weeks I'm starting to feel more normal.

I'd consider myself a very strong person but something which I was not prepared for was the emotional onslaught at the loss of my breast. If ur finding that hard seek out someone to talk to that understands what ur feeling. Family & friends may be great but unless they've suffered the same loss just can't understand.

Wishing you all the best. Get plenty of rest but don't be afraid to get & about either. You'll be flying it in a few weeks again.
x.

Hi Dee,

You will fly through the surgery but as the last two posters have said, don't underestimate the emotional turmoil that may hit just before surgery.

I had had a lumpectomy but it was not enough so needed a mast. I absolutely bawled my eyes out in the pre op area. It was more the realisation of loosing MY breast that got me. Got lots of support from the gang in Beaumont - tissues, hugs, comfort etc so you will be grand. Was never offered a sedative but I would defo have taken if offered so suggest you ask.

I read on another forum once about someone's rationalisation about loosing their breast...it was simply....it tried to kill me, it can go! Stark but true.

Best of luck

Lindylu