Hello,
I was wondering if anyone has idea what the rough time is, before someone who has a mastectomy and immediate reconstructon using the back muscle for reconstruction, will be able to start driving?
My mum under went this procedure on 13th July, and is wondering if its 4 weeks or 3 months as she has heard some conflicting stories.
I’ve advised her to ask her PS, what he recommends, as she will be starting chemo very soon, then radiotherphy.
I think its just so she has something to look forward to as she misses the freedom of being able to pop in her car and just go where she wants!!!
Many thanks, if you can help me out.
Hope you all having a lovely evening!
Love Tizzy xxx
hi tizzy, i had the same op as your mum on the 29th of June on my left hand side, i started driving last friday, bit hard at first, and cos i’m tall, had to have my seat right forward, so could have steered with my knees anyway! it wasn’t too bad, arm ached a little after, but it really felt like a big hurdle crossed, do make sure that your mum’s insurance covers her though, some are a bit funny about time frames after ops, but as i only take paracetomol and tamoxifen now, well, its not a prob. by the way, i’m probabley near your mum’s age, i’m 44
lots of love
Alison
ps, Tizzy, i won’t be having chemo, but i have heard that its not a good idea to drive when you have chemo treatment, but in between, then she should be fine, but the “ask the nurse” section on here is very good
Alison xxxxx
Hello Tizzy
Cant help on timeframes after recon but after my mastectomy and axilla (underarm nodes) clearance I drove myself back to the hospital for seroma (fluid build up after operation) draining. This would have been roughly 2 weeks after the op. It didnt have any adverse effect on the seroma by the way as it behaved exactly as the nurses predicted it would under more sedate circumstances.
The only time I didnt drive was when the chemo effects kicked in and I had trouble making it downstairs never mind going anywhere else. I did drive myself to and from chemo treatment and radiotherapy though. Being self sufficient was a very strong impetus for me.
My car did have power steering though and was very easy to handle .I would think it would be all but impossible to drive a car without power steering as soon as I did after such a operation.
Best wishes to you and your Mum
Wynn
Hi Tizzy,
I am 42 and had bilateral reconstruction using the skin and muscle from the back, I was back driving approx 4 weeks after the op but could only do short journeys at first as found both arms and underarms started to ache. Am now 9 weeks post op and driving now no problems still wouldn’t like to drive too far but it’s definately getting better.
Love to you and your mum
Karen
xxxxx
I had a mastectomy 2½ years ago and was driving within 3 weeks - but I have an automatic and power steering so that helps! I also drove with no problems during my chemo treatment, walked my dogs every day bar the first week when very ill! Am going in on Saturday for my reconstruction and anticipating 4 weeks with no driving,