Both movement and deep breathing are good for you and are vital in recovery after any surgery. Deep breathing can help you reduce stress and ease discomfort and tightness around your incision. It is important to start moving very soon after surgery.
Start with simple exercises to increase your comfort and flexibility level and the range of motion in your shoulder and arm. Walking is a great form of exercise, especially in the initial days after surgery. No extreme hiking just yet, but 2-3 gentle walks per day are a nice way to start.
Board-Certified Surgeon
MICHELE LEY, MD, FACS
Dr. Ley, a breast surgical oncologist in Tucson since 2006, delivers compassionate and personalized care to create tailored treatment plans based on the latest research. Specializing in surgical care for breast cancer and high-risk patients, she employs minimally invasive techniques and practices oncoplastic surgery to optimize outcomes.
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Please avoid strenuous activities such as jogging, high-impact aerobics, weight lifting, swimming, horseback riding, golf, contact sports, and similar activities. Do not lift objects heavier than 10 lbs. until your doctor says it is safe. (For reference, a gallon of milk weighs about 8 pounds) Usually, recovery time is about 2-3 weeks from partial mastectomy and about 6-8 weeks for mastectomy but some people might need more time. Be gentle and kind to yourself during this time and listen to your body.
Please remember that everyone heals at their own pace. The provided timelines for exercises are only suggestions. Aim for slow and steady progress and try to be active most days.
Post-Op Massage
Massage involves manipulating soft tissues using the hands and fingers. There are many different forms of massage, which can offer health benefits for people with cancer or following breast surgery. Studies have found that massage can be helpful for anxiety, discomfort, fatigue, and immune function.
If you are considering massage following surgery, ask your surgeon or oncologist for recommendations. It is important that you inform your massage therapist of your diagnosis, treatment, and any symptoms.
“The level of care is excellent.”
Scar Massage
We also recommend scar massage which you can begin after the skin glue or tapes have fallen off. This involves using 1-3 fingers to gently massage the scar area. It can help reduce the appearance of scars and smooth out tissue deep into the scar. This can be combined with scar gel which should have silicone in it. Examples include Scar Away and Mederma. Most patient’s breast scars heal well on their own and scar massage and gel can be used at a later time if needed.
It is important to keep in mind that if you have just undergone breast surgery, you should lie on your back during your massage until your doctor says that it is safe to lie on your front. Also, any form of massage that involves strong pressure should not be used if you are currently undergoing chemotherapy or radiation. If you have lymphedema, your massage therapist should avoid the affected arm and underarm completely, as traditional massage can worsen symptoms. Lymphedema should be treated with manual lymphatic drainage by a trained lymphedema therapist.
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If you are interested in learning more about post-op exercises or massage, please contact Tucson Breast Health Specialists in Tucson, AZ today.
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