What is the typical recovery time for each procedure?

  • Lumpectomy:

    • Recovery is generally quicker, often requiring only a few days to a week. This procedure involves removing the tumor and a small amount of surrounding tissue, preserving most of the breast. If working from home, most people take a week off of work, if doing manual labor, recommend 2 weeks off of work.

  • Mastectomy:

    • Recovery usually takes about 3 to 6 weeks. If breast reconstruction is performed simultaneously, the recovery period may extend, and additional surgeries might be necessary to match the reconstructed breast to the other breast, if having plastic surgeon perform reconstruction, please check with your plastic surgeon for exact recovery times. If work from home or do work mostly that is computer based, can return to work in 2 weeks, if manual labor or heavy lifting work recommend 4-6 weeks

What can I expect from my scar after my surgery?

  • Lumpectomy: there will be a hardened area where the tissue has been pulled together to fill in the defect of the tissue removed. This will go away over 6-12 months following surgery, any skin dimpling or nipple retraction or changes can also be expected to resolve in 6-12 months. If they do not after 6-12 months can consider fat grafting to the area to correct any deformities, these are best pronounced after radiation therapy has been completed.

  • Sentinel node biopsy:

    • Seroma: the axilla may form a fluid collection called a seroma that the body will reabsorb on its own, it can also be drained with a needle if becomes uncomfortable and cannot tolerate.

    • Blue Urine: is also to be expected and can also be green for a few days following the procedure as your body absorbs the blue dye that has been injected.

    • Pain: the axilla is especially painful as the nerves from your brachial plexus go directly through the operative field, thus the armpit typically has a burning like pain 2 weeks or so following this procedure that resolves with time.

  • Mastectomy: the breast and scar will be numb, seroma can also form (benign fluid collection) and immediately after surgery a hematoma can form (blood pocket), nipple loss is also possible in nipple-sparing mastectomies and thus if nipple turns black please contact the plastic surgeon in your case as soon as possible.

Post-Lumpectomy Activity Restrictions

  • Avoid Lifting Heavy Objects

  • Like mastectomy, lifting more than 5-10 pounds should be avoided initially to allow for healing of the surgical site and to minimize risk to the breast area.

  • Lifting the arm above shoulder level should also be minimized during the first 4-6 weeks.

  • Exercising

    • Avoid exercises like push-ups, chest presses, or weightlifting until cleared by the doctor to prevent strain on the breast tissue and surrounding muscles.

    • Avoid high-impact, HIIT, cardio for 4 weeks after your surgery

    • Yoga/pilates low-impact workouts can be started at 2 weeks post-operatively

    • Walking can be started the day of surgery or the following, and should make it a goal to walk daily during your recovery.

    • Stretching and reaching overhead should be avoided for a few weeks after surgery, especially if lymph nodes were removed, to prevent stiffness and to avoid damage to the surgical area.

  • Swimming and Bathing

    • Avoid swimming or submerging in water until the surgical site is fully healed and the drains (if present) are removed. Generally, this is about 4-6 weeks after surgery.

    • Avoid soaking in hot tubs or baths, as prolonged exposure to moisture or heat may cause infection.

  • Driving

    • You can drive as soon as you are not taking narcotic pain medicines, if a plastic surgeon was involved in your care, verify with the plastic surgeon when you can drive as they will dictate that when involved in the surgery.

Post-Mastectomy Activity Restrictions

Strenuous Exercise and Heavy Lifting

o   Avoid heavy lifting (more than 5 to 10 pounds) for 4-6 weeks to avoid putting strain on the chest, shoulder, and arm area, especially if lymph nodes were removed.

o   Upper body exercises like lifting weights, push-ups, or overhead movements should be avoided for several weeks to prevent excessive strain on the surgical site.

o   Heavy household chores (e.g., vacuuming, cleaning, lifting boxes) should be minimized.

Excessive Arm and Shoulder Movements

o   Overhead arm movements and stretching the arm beyond shoulder height should be avoided until the surgeon clears you, which could take 6-8 weeks.

o   Activities that involve excessive arm lifting or twisting may put pressure on the breast or chest wall and disrupt the healing process.

o   If reconstruction is performed, some movements may be restricted longer, depending on the type of reconstruction.

Impact Activities

o   Running, jogging, and high-impact exercises should be avoided until the body heals properly to prevent excessive movement or jarring of the chest (typically recommend 4-6 weeks following mastectomy to avoid these activities)

o   Contact sports (e.g., basketball, soccer) or any activities that could lead to a blow to the chest or arm should be avoided for 8-12 weeks or until cleared by a doctor.

Swimming

o   Swimming in pools or lakes should be avoided for several weeks due to the risk of infection, especially if drains are still in place or the surgical site is not fully healed.

Driving

o   Avoid driving until you feel comfortable and are no longer taking strong pain medications that may impair your ability to drive safely. Typically, this is about 2-4 weeks after surgery, depending on individual recovery.

Repetitive or Forceful Movements

o   Activities like gardening, stretching, or any repetitive motions that put stress on the chest, arm, or shoulder should be avoided during the first few weeks of recovery.

General Recovery Considerations

  • Resting the Arm: After both procedures, gently resting the arm on the surgical side can help reduce swelling and discomfort. However, prolonged inactivity may lead to stiffness or loss of mobility in the arm, so gentle stretching and mobility exercises are encouraged (once cleared by your surgeon).

  • Gradual Return to Activities: Both surgeries require a gradual return to normal activities. Engaging in gentle, range-of-motion exercises early in recovery can prevent stiffness and aid in regaining mobility.

  • Lymphedema Prevention: Patients who have lymph nodes removed (in either mastectomy or lumpectomy) should be mindful of activities that could trigger lymphedema (swelling in the arm or hand). It's important to avoid:

    • Constricting jewelry (tight bracelets or rings)

    • Carrying heavy bags on the affected side

    • Sudden, jerky movements of the arm or upper body

When to Resume Activities

    • Resuming activities like exercise, heavy lifting, or sports should be done gradually and under medical advice.

    • If there is any pain, swelling, or unusual symptoms after resuming an activity, stop immediately and consult your healthcare provider.