Hi again @oldgirl - Yes, a longer recovery time for a mast, the scar area being larger than for a lumpectomy> But even so, with both of mine, the scars were completely healed within 2-3 wks, so wasn't very long. I was 46 and 47, so a bit younger than yourself. Much depends on whether you have good healing skin and are healthy. And as @Kitkat23 said, the dressings weren't bulky. I was quite amazed actually, that the Op itself, was no where near as bad as I thought it was going to be, considering what you've just had done!!! I also had all nodes cleared with both. The "recovery" time is more about the after care one the wound has healed, in being persistent and very diligent in exercising to get full movement and strength back in your shoulder and arm muscles as soon as poss. You aren't incapacitated, but just have to be careful, the initial first few weeks, with stretching and sudden arm movements, no lifting, to prevent damage to stitches and wound (so you need a good shopping and chefing servant!! 😉 ) Then, once it's all healed, as I said, it's all about keep working at it with exercises, gently to start, then increasing the stretching more and more. Took around two months with each to get back to full normal range of movement and strength again, but I was doing my exercises 5 X a day, rather than the rec'd 3 X though!! Simply to get back to norm as soon as poss, plus didn't have much else to do at the time, so why not. As with Kitkat, I too was only taking Paracetamols, after 3 days on stronger painkillers post-op, which seriously "bunged me up", I just kept to regular Paras after that, and ONLY them for the second mast. So how IS your skin for healing, Oldgirl?? Hope you're doing okay, flower? and somehow coping?? I'm sure you're very worried and concerned by it all, hey? To say the least. Love to you and everyone else, Delly xX ❤️ Xx
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