Post-surgery exercises

[JayDawg]

My mom suggested I look for post-mastectomy physical therapy exercises to do after my top surgery, and I found this video. I just started doing them (about 15 days post-op after being cleared by my surgeon to resume normal activities), along with just trying to extend my range of motion periodically on my own.

Do you have anything in particular you've done to get back your range of motion after surgery?

-Jay

[aleon515]

My understanding is that there is actually a big difference between mastectomy for cancer and top surgery in that for cancer they are removing lymph nodes and so forth. So that there is a lot of soreness and so on.
Someone could possibly lose range of motion permanently which would be a concern and a reason for stretching and so forth. The person usually wouldn't be too worried about how the chest looks without a shirt, as they are never going to go that way.

Top surgery you are more limited due mostly to not wanting to stretch the incision line too quickly which will cause the scar to stretch which isn't good. I could have done exercise sooner than I did but was in no particular hurry. You want to have a good looking chest (shirtless) and lessen the scars. I have not heard of anyone who had a permanent loss of range of motion, and doubt it could happen.


--Jay

[Alexthecat]

Yeah I wouldn't exercise until at least 6 weeks.

[Lukoshkin]

I was told by my surgeon to wear a post-op bandage for 5-6 weeks and not move much. And don't move rapidly and move waists especially. She liked "guaranty" things and kept me too long )))). Realy, I wore bandages for 4 weeks, but stood quiet for 2 month. Than we decided, that skin firmly rooted where it had to, and I could do all the exercises.

[aleon515]

I was also told not to move my arms higher than my, gee can't recall.  Not lifting over 5 lbs is another way to kept the incision line calm and happy.

--Jay

[JandJ]

I was also told not to move my arms higher than my, gee can't recall.  Not lifting over 5 lbs is another way to kept the incision line calm and happy.

--Jay

Do you remember, for how long you had the lifting / moving restrictions?

[aleon515]

Well different doctors say different things. I think just to not push anything. But it was initially (first few weeks, not to raise arms and so on). After about 8 weeks was completely normal activities. I'm pretty sure you'll be back on the trike in 3 or so, not to worry.

--Jay

Do you remember, for how long you had the lifting / moving restrictions?