Recovery timeline post double mastectomy and implant reconstruction and physio query too

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1

Hi there, I am 6 weeks post surgery, and

I guess I am in that strange place where the big physical stuff is passed, and I look great (apparently, I keep being told)! But my breasts feel swollen and tender, and I am needing to wear a larger bra than in the first weeks post surgery - which I guess I wasn’t expecting, I had large boobs before my surgery and was expecting them to be the same or more likely smaller… and as the day progresses I get more pain under my arm pit and down my arms, especially the right, which was were the lymph node biopsy was. I am trying to listen to my body and rest more, as early in the day I am up and about pottering, and I do have good support from friends and family, and lots of visitors, but I am finding I need to lie down, to ease the soreness under my arms. I am a bit discouraged to still need pain killers later in the day. I am getting mixed advice on the arm exercises. I feel I should keep them up, but it is hard to get a consistent answer from the consultants and breast care team. They are really great, they just give varying advice on some things, particularly the arm exercises.
I have good movement in my arms, and good mobility, but the pain and breast swelling and tenderness seemed to have increased over the last week or so, and I was afraid I was overdoing it with them…
I have no doubt anxiety and a bit of the emotional piece is starting to play a role in how I am feeling. I feel so very, very lucky to be in the position I am in, i.e. no further treatment needed, minimal cancer present initially and it is now removed, risk reducing double mastectomy surgery and immediate implant reconstruction all went really well, but after 6 weeks I am just starting to really miss my active, energetic life and body. And am I sick of being in pain and not knowing the right way to address it. I am still not driving as my new breasts are very tender, perhaps worse than a couple of weeks ago, and the seatbelt and bumps on the road when I am being driven, seem to hurt me worse now than they did a couple of weeks ago. I guess I am wondering if this is normal.
Any advice or similar experiences would be great.
Thanks so much,

xx

2

The BCN’s will be available to reply on Monday (they dont work weekends on here). I’d recommend contacting your breastcare team first thing Monday and getting them checked out, as you are not following the expected trajectory of improvement over time. Keep an eye on your temperature meatime and heartrate and look out for increased redness, pain and swelling. If it gets a lot worse over tomorrow and you start feeling flu-like, either ring 111 for an emergency care appointment (this can be quicker), or visit A&E. Its signs of infection you want to be picking up on so that you can get any necessary antibiotics and avoid becoming unwell.

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Btw, don’t pannic, infection is a possibility but may not be that, and it can most likely wait till Monday to be assessed.

4

Hi - I’m nearly 9 weeks post prepectoral implant (single) and symmmetry surgery and still have some discomfort particularly as the day goes on. The implant side particularly gets tender and feels a little swollen particularly where the drain was. I do feel it’s getting better weekly though.
I’ve had some slow healing on the wise incisions each side and so attend weekly dressing clinics - meaning that the nurses see the implant even though they are not reconstruction experts. I think that the evening heaviness can be part of a normal healing pattern.
At 6 weeks, I think I felt largely as you do. Both breasts were initially very high but have now dropped considerably to a more natural position.

I’ve just started doing some light Pilates and light arm exercises without weights. I agree that it’s hard to get advice on what to do or not to do though!

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Hi @poppyc1

Definitely get yourself reviewed by your consultant they can then advise whether it’s normal or something going on.
When I had my surgery double mastectomy with expander implants I was ordered by my bcn to go to bed every afternoon to help with recovery, this lasted quite a few weeks.
When you say arm exercises is it the physio exercises from the hospital or something else. Defo don’t do anything other than the hospital physio till your sorted out. Are you doing too much lifting, even kettles can be too heavy.

Sorry you’re having a shit time of it, it won’t be forever. hope you start feeling better soon xxxx

6

Hello poppyc1,

Thanks for posting.

It can be difficult to know what to expect in the time after surgery. Trying to balance physical activity as well as rest can be hard.

At 6 weeks you may still have some post op swelling and pain especially as you may be more active. This may be why at the end of the day you notice the pain increases, @barbapea explains this happens to her as well. Also, after lymph node surgery there can be a range of different sensations in the armpit and arm for some time. This is usually because of the nerves in the area being affected by surgery.

However as @Ahbc21 and @entropy say do contact your treatment team again so they can assess you, especially as the pain and swelling is increasing. It’s important to rule out infection or other concerns. You can continue to do the arm exercises although these sometimes need modifying if you do have any complications.

Regular pain relief can often be more effective that taking pain killers as the pain gets worse. You could speak to a local pharmacist while you wait to see your team to ask about the best way to manage the pain you have

We have a range of information about physical activity including a podcast. You may also be interested to know about Jen McKenzie a breast physio who offers a range of information on her website and YouTube channel.

Our information about bras after surgery might be of interest.

As you say anxiety and how you feel emotionally will all be impacting on your overall wellbeing. It’s good to see you have a supportive family and friends. Connecting with other women who have been through something similar can help as well. You may want to post in this section of our forums. Our Someone Like Me service and Moving Forward may also be of interest.

Do call our helpline if you would like to talk this through or have any further questions. The helpline team have time to listen, talk things through and signpost you to additional support and information if necessary. Your call will be confidential, and the number is free from UK landlines and all mobile networks.

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Best wishes

Jane

Breast Care Nurse

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