Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSelf-Care ActivitiesLifting Your ArmsDrivingHouseworkExerciseSexual ActivityDesk and Computer WorkSigns of ProblemsWhen to Seek Medical CareNext in Mastectomy Guide10 Pillows to Use for Comfort During Breast Cancer Treatment and Recovery
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Self-Care Activities
Lifting Your Arms
Driving
Housework
Exercise
Sexual Activity
Desk and Computer Work
Signs of Problems
When to Seek Medical Care
Next in Mastectomy Guide
But you should limit more extreme activities during recovery. For example, you can lift your arms to do normal daily activities, like brushing your hair or teeth, the week after a mastectomy, but it will be much longer before you should lift weights.
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Self-care activities are important aspects of your recovery. Post-operative self-care activities include:
How long after a mastectomy should you wait before you can lift your arms depends on the type of motion you’re doing. For example, your healthcare provider may ask you to start doing very gentle recovery exercises that require raising your arms as soon as two or three days after surgery.
Because each person’s recovery is different, you should verify with your healthcare professional what makes the most sense for you when it comes to how long after your mastectomy you wait to lift your arms.
Most people can resume driving six weeks after surgery. Driving is possible if your surgical drains have been removed, your range of motion has recovered, and you can comfortably turn the steering wheel. However, you should not drive if you are still taking prescription pain medications because they can make you drowsy and unsafe to drive.
As soon as you feel up to it, you should be able to resume light housework and continue normal activities as much as possible to maintain flexibility and mobility in your arms and shoulders. However, do not do housework that requires lifting anything over 5 pounds until your healthcare provider has cleared you to progress to more strenuous activities.
Your healthcare provider will give you specific exercises and stretches to complete immediately following your surgery to help you recover the full range of motion in your chest, torso, arms, and shoulders and maintain strength and flexibility.
Exercise may also help preventlymphedema, a common complication post-mastectomy.
Your healthcare provider will show you how to properly execute the exercises and discuss any limitations based on your surgery.
Some people may developscarring in the armpitarea after removing lymph nodes, which can cause pain and discomfort during some arm movements. Working with a healthcare provider such as a physical therapist or physician specializing in breast cancer rehabilitation is essential to safely continue arm exercises to reduce pain and avoid further mobility problems.
Cardio Workouts
Avoid strenuouscardiovascular workoutssuch as biking, jogging, or running in the first four to six weeks. Avoid any quick, jerking motions of the arms, shoulders, or chest. However, walking is something you can and should start right away.
Strength Training
Strength training exercises should not start until at least four to six weeks post-surgery, after your healthcare provider has approved it. However, resistance training can help with daily functioning and reduce the loss of muscle mass and strength in the upper body. Working with a physical therapist may help to minimize strength imbalances due to surgery.
Do not start any exercises without speaking to your healthcare provider first. Stop what you’re doing if you feel pain and talk with your healthcare provider before resuming.
Resume sexual activity when you feel ready. Using props such aspillowsor towels can help to make you more comfortable and avoid putting pressure on the surgical site. Communicate with your partner what is or isn’t comfortable.
Generally, it is customary to take four to eight weeks off from work after a mastectomy, but if you feel up for it, you may be able to start using a desk and resume computer work sooner. Check with your healthcare provider because everyone’s healing process is different.
Signs of issues include symptoms of infection, such as:
Other signs of problems include:
When to Call Your Healthcare Provider
If you notice any of the signs listed above or have questions or concerns about the healing process, contact your health provider immediately.
Summary
You can resume some self-care and daily activities, such as brushing your teeth, getting dressed, and walking, immediately after a mastectomy. Your healthcare provider will provide you with specific daily exercises and stretches to help you regain motion and strength and reduce stiffness in the upper body.
9 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Cancer Society. “Exercises After Breast Cancer Surgery.“American Cancer Society.Exercises after breast cancer surgery.BreastCancer.org.Mastectomy: what to expect.breastcancer.org. “Exercise After Breast Cancer Surgery"Brigham and Women’s Hospital.Post-Operative Activity Guidelines and Exercises.Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.About your mastectomy.Josephine DSP.Evaluation of lymphedema prevention protocol on quality of life among breast cancer patients with mastectomy.Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. 2019;20(10):3077-3084. doi:10.31557/APJCP.2019.20.10.3077BreastCancer.org.Axillary web syndrome (cording).Benton MJ, Schlairet MC.Upper extremity strength imbalance after mastectomy and the effect of resistance training.Sports Med Int Open. 2017;1(5):E160-E165. doi:10.1055/s-0043-115105
9 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Cancer Society. “Exercises After Breast Cancer Surgery.“American Cancer Society.Exercises after breast cancer surgery.BreastCancer.org.Mastectomy: what to expect.breastcancer.org. “Exercise After Breast Cancer Surgery"Brigham and Women’s Hospital.Post-Operative Activity Guidelines and Exercises.Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.About your mastectomy.Josephine DSP.Evaluation of lymphedema prevention protocol on quality of life among breast cancer patients with mastectomy.Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. 2019;20(10):3077-3084. doi:10.31557/APJCP.2019.20.10.3077BreastCancer.org.Axillary web syndrome (cording).Benton MJ, Schlairet MC.Upper extremity strength imbalance after mastectomy and the effect of resistance training.Sports Med Int Open. 2017;1(5):E160-E165. doi:10.1055/s-0043-115105
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Cancer Society. “Exercises After Breast Cancer Surgery.“American Cancer Society.Exercises after breast cancer surgery.BreastCancer.org.Mastectomy: what to expect.breastcancer.org. “Exercise After Breast Cancer Surgery"Brigham and Women’s Hospital.Post-Operative Activity Guidelines and Exercises.Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.About your mastectomy.Josephine DSP.Evaluation of lymphedema prevention protocol on quality of life among breast cancer patients with mastectomy.Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. 2019;20(10):3077-3084. doi:10.31557/APJCP.2019.20.10.3077BreastCancer.org.Axillary web syndrome (cording).Benton MJ, Schlairet MC.Upper extremity strength imbalance after mastectomy and the effect of resistance training.Sports Med Int Open. 2017;1(5):E160-E165. doi:10.1055/s-0043-115105
American Cancer Society. “Exercises After Breast Cancer Surgery.”
American Cancer Society.Exercises after breast cancer surgery.
BreastCancer.org.Mastectomy: what to expect.
breastcancer.org. “Exercise After Breast Cancer Surgery”
Brigham and Women’s Hospital.Post-Operative Activity Guidelines and Exercises.
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.About your mastectomy.
Josephine DSP.Evaluation of lymphedema prevention protocol on quality of life among breast cancer patients with mastectomy.Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. 2019;20(10):3077-3084. doi:10.31557/APJCP.2019.20.10.3077
BreastCancer.org.Axillary web syndrome (cording).
Benton MJ, Schlairet MC.Upper extremity strength imbalance after mastectomy and the effect of resistance training.Sports Med Int Open. 2017;1(5):E160-E165. doi:10.1055/s-0043-115105
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