Hey guys,

The big day is coming quickly - surgery (mastectomy, I'm a small B-cup) in just over two weeks. I'm understandably terrified and excited at the same time and I'm full of questions. I'm essentially just wondering about people's recovery periods and what I should expect. Everyone's body is different going into surgery, so obviously everyone is going to heal differently.

I've been working out pretty hard for the past few months to prep my chest and arms as to not shrink up too much during my downtime. I've heard that the better chest muscles, the quicker/better you can see your results because of the definition of your pecs already (idk, maybe that's bull). Anyway, I wanna know how soon everyone got back to regular activities (walking/jogging, walking my dog, cooking, working, exercising). I know I'm gonna have to go the full 6 weeks (or more) before I can start pounding out those chin-ups, but things like dumbbell curls, pushups, shrugs, etc, I am interested in getting back to as quickly as possible.

I also have to fly two days after my surgery, so how was everyone finding their first few days in terms of comfort/discomfort?

If you have anything else to add, it'd be appreciated! I'm mostly just over-thinking everything and being eager.

I was walking around OK the next day. I probably could have done lots but just went across the street to the store and other short bits to get the blood flowing. I was walking for an hour within a week. I started biking at 3 weeks.

I'm now exactly 1 month post-op and I still can't lift my arms straight up. No way will I be doing chin-ups any time soon (I could do 10 pre-op). I'm not even doing pushups yet but I feel like I'm doing pretty well. I can do bicep curls and tricep pressdowns and other stuff as long as I don't try to lift my elbows more than 90 degrees from my body. I feel like pushing the range of motion is going to give me stretched scars. My surgeon (Dr Mangubat) said the incision healing is only at 50% strength after 4 weeks.

I would say you should plan on doing lots of walking and approach other stuff cautiously from there.

You could have a look here:
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,193238.msg1722916.html#msg1722916
and here:
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,186413.0.html


hugs

Just to be on the safe side, I left it the full 6 weeks and gently eased into exercise. Just because you don't know what can happen. I would advise you to do the same but as soon as you feel comfortable enough to do a few reps of various activities, you'll be able to easily build it back up again. Don't push yourself, listen to your body. Also, try to walk around with a straight back after surgery and not hunched over. It is difficult but you don't want your body to become tight. Good luck

Quote from: CJ on September 09, 2015, 03:01:38 PM
Just to be on the safe side, I left it the full 6 weeks and gently eased into exercise. Just because you don't know what can happen. I would advise you to do the same but as soon as you feel comfortable enough to do a few reps of various activities, you'll be able to easily build it back up again. Don't push yourself, listen to your body. Also, try to walk around with a straight back after surgery and not hunched over. It is difficult but you don't want your body to become tight. Good luck

agreed with listening to your body!
i'm two weeks post op tomorrow and i struggle with hunching over... i feel like it gets better when my vest isn't on?

also, i'd like to add in @op: if you do not have a problem with pain meds, finish out the bottle. i tried to spread out the time with doses too quickly and it wasn't fun.

Search through the Top Surgery board for a thread along the lines of "things you wish you had known before top surgery" or "prepping for top surgery". Something along those lines. Lots of great advice there as far as how to proceed as the date nears.

My recovery was very easy. The only medication they prescribed that was absolutely necessary for me was the anti-nausea one. I wasn't in any pain really. Some soreness and general discomfort, but not pain.

I have a waist leash for running that I was using to walk my dog three days post-op. He's a terrible puller, and I was fine. I worked from home in the first week of recovery, with lots of naps throughout the day. I was back to driving and work one week post-op after my drains were removed. Based on what I have read here, this course of action is unrealistic for most people.

I went back to working out 4 weeks post op (my surgeon's rules were less than what I've heard from other people). Primarily just doing cardio though. I waited to resume lifting until 6 weeks. I still had some residual soreness for a really long time that made returning to a routine difficult. I've only just settled into anything at over four months post-op.

If you take the medication they give you for pain, you should be fine in terms of pain. You may have some discomfort/awkwardness if you have drains. Make sure you tell TSA that you've just had major surgery and can't raise your arms for them. Overall, just listen to your body. You will immediately know if you're pushing it too much.

I'm only ten days out from my surgery but I feel pretty much fine
It can be hard to bend my arms back like to put on a button up shirt but it doesn't hurt so much as just feels really strange

I wouldn't do any heavy lifting or strenuous exercise for at least a month, probably a month and a half just based on what I've read, but you should feel pretty fine flying

The absolute worst bit about recovery is the drains, once those babies are out its really not so bad!


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Quote from: ftmax on September 09, 2015, 06:50:04 PM
Search through the Top Surgery board for a thread along the lines of "things you wish you had known before top surgery" or "prepping for top surgery". Something along those lines. Lots of great advice there as far as how to proceed as the date nears.

You mean this one ? 
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,186413.msg1659687.html#msg1659687


hugs

Quote from: Laura_7 on September 12, 2015, 01:57:30 PM
You mean this one ? 
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,186413.msg1659687.html#msg1659687


hugs

you're excellent!

Quote from: ftmax on September 12, 2015, 10:25:10 PM
you're excellent!

Thank you      *hugs*

My recovery actually went a lot better than expected, I seemed to be on the "at best" end of the spectrum when it comes to recovery from DI. I never felt any need to take pain meds (and they gave me the strong stuff, so it would have been a big relief, had I needed it to be), and at my 1-month post-op appointment I was cleared from all movement or exercise restrictions, so long as I eased back into the exercise stuff. By then, all my incisions had closed up, no scabs or anything, and my nips were already solid pink and brown, no scabs or oozing (there had never really been any blood or ooze from those to begin with, though).

Now, I'm around 7 weeks post-op I think(?) and I've been hitting the gym and bodyweight exercises regularly. The most discomfort I've experienced is a little tenderness on one of my sides, where it's a little tight from the drain and all that accompanied that. I've been doing weights, running, etc no problem.

So yeah, I mean, I think by 4-6 weeks, exercise will be part of your daily routine again, if you want it to be. YMMV, but if you're young and/or active, recovery will be a lot easier, I think. 

Thanks for all the feedback, guys!
It really is so dependant on the person; I've seen some dudes hitting the stair master after two weeks and other guys can't even lift their arms up at 1.5 months! Judging by everyone's opinions, I'm gonna start trying light weights (basic shrugs, curls, etc) as soon as I feel able. Cardio is a thing i despise, but to keep from going insane, I'm gonna give it a go. My biggest concern is getting my chest and arms back to their original shape and overthinking it is only making me more anxious, haha.
Anyone have any experience with ab workouts after surgery? Leg lifts, scissors, etc? I can't imagine they require much chest/arm action.

I didn't do any body weight exercises or lifting whatsoever until 6 weeks post op. I'm sure I would've been able to at 4 weeks, given how easy my recovery was, but why risk screwing something up?

Your body isn't going to go to waste in a span of less than two months. I'd wait to even think about when you'll resume working out until your drains are out. By then you'll have a better idea of how your recovery is going and what your surgeon's expectations are.