Mastectomy site

utapril10
utapril10 Member Posts: 3
in Breast Cancer #1

i had my mastectomy 2 weeks ago yesterday, reconstruction will be later.

Drainage line has been removed and dr said all looked 

good.  I just felt it and It is hard around the incision areas, is that 

normal ?  they did remove 5 lymph nodes and it does

hurt under the arm, assuming that is ok. Just worried about the hard feeling. 

 Can anyone help. Thanks!

Comments

  • Apaugh
    Apaugh Member Posts: 850 Member
    edited March 2017 #2
    Masectomy massage

    As soon as you can take it, start asking your doc to get you into physical therapy with a breast massage specialist.  they teach you how to properly massage the scar tissue to keep it loose.  This might be in another two month to allow healing.  But please insist on it.  not all physical therapist are trained to do it.  So make sure when you go, there is one that is.  I had a bilateral and about 6 mo. later I went to PT and she told me that many women dont know and they become hard as rocks and have so much pain.  I had previoulsy used lotion and gently rubbed circles on my scars and so I was not so tight.  She worked with me about 12 sessions and taught me how to do it at home.  It becomes your new norm workouts at home, in the shower w soap or before bed with lotion.  It will really help. 

    Keep fighting like a girl.  Go Pink! 

    Hugs,

    Annie

  • utapril10
    utapril10 Member Posts: 3
    #3
    Apaugh said:

    Masectomy massage

    As soon as you can take it, start asking your doc to get you into physical therapy with a breast massage specialist.  they teach you how to properly massage the scar tissue to keep it loose.  This might be in another two month to allow healing.  But please insist on it.  not all physical therapist are trained to do it.  So make sure when you go, there is one that is.  I had a bilateral and about 6 mo. later I went to PT and she told me that many women dont know and they become hard as rocks and have so much pain.  I had previoulsy used lotion and gently rubbed circles on my scars and so I was not so tight.  She worked with me about 12 sessions and taught me how to do it at home.  It becomes your new norm workouts at home, in the shower w soap or before bed with lotion.  It will really help. 

    Keep fighting like a girl.  Go Pink! 

    Hugs,

    Annie

    Thank u so much for the info.

    Thank u so much for the info.  I have my PT appt on the 

    13th.  It's a relief to know it's normal.  Pink Hugs!

  • KathyLQ
    KathyLQ Member Posts: 100
    #4
    i had my mastectomy over 6

    i had my mastectomy over 6 years ago, followed in several months by a D.I.E.P. flap transfer reconstruction.  I had an expander put into my breast on the day of the mastectomy, so that they could stretch the skin slowly for 6-8 weeks... so there wasn't much I could do to 'massage scar tissue'.   From the mastectomy, I have had some form of continual chest wall pain.  It will always be there, even in a minor way.   The nerves around the edge took years to adjust.  I've no feeling in the DIEP flap reconstruction, I only feel around the edges and deep on the chest wall.   You'll eventually get to "your normal".   Hugs!

     

  • utapril10
    utapril10 Member Posts: 3
    #5
    KathyLQ said:

    i had my mastectomy over 6

    i had my mastectomy over 6 years ago, followed in several months by a D.I.E.P. flap transfer reconstruction.  I had an expander put into my breast on the day of the mastectomy, so that they could stretch the skin slowly for 6-8 weeks... so there wasn't much I could do to 'massage scar tissue'.   From the mastectomy, I have had some form of continual chest wall pain.  It will always be there, even in a minor way.   The nerves around the edge took years to adjust.  I've no feeling in the DIEP flap reconstruction, I only feel around the edges and deep on the chest wall.   You'll eventually get to "your normal".   Hugs!

     

    i have my plastic surgery

    i have my plastic surgery consultation tomorrow 

    i have been reading sooo much on different kinds or even

    staying flat.  Which one did u dO? I am leaning toward the stomach area

    but read may not work since I am diabetic and also had 2 C-sections, somewhere I read that 

    would affect it.  Thanks for the info.  Pink Hugs!

  • Beepositive
    Beepositive Member Posts: 259 Member
    #6
    utapril10 said:

    Thank u so much for the info.

    Thank u so much for the info.  I have my PT appt on the 

    13th.  It's a relief to know it's normal.  Pink Hugs!

    underarm pain / Lymphedma physical Therapy

    Hello Utapril10..sorry you are here..but welcome..we are STRONG and paying it forward it always GREAT! I had my surgery March 7, 2017 (left breast) yeah the drain were not fun but removed after about week or so. I had a lot more lymph nodes removed and swelling under arm Dr referred me to the Lymphedema physical Therapy clinic..They are REALLY great! give lots of help to move arm around and helpful demostration to help with swelling etc. I just started going .had two sessions and feeling a lot better and able to move my arm a lot more! (it takes time) that area has been thru a lot!  also as far as plastic sugery..make sure you ask about just implants verses skin from other parts of your body. (not sure how it works because i started my plastic surgery same time as my mastecomy (he inserted the breast tissue expander to start stretching the skin to prepare for the implant later. (ASK A LOT OF QUESTIONS WHEN YOU GO)   Much Success to you and you continued recovery.   Stay positive!    Thanks  BEEpositiveSmile

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