Exercises After Breast Surgery
Getting Started. General Guidelines
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The exercises described here can be done as soon as your doctor says it's OK. Be sure to talk to your doctor before trying any of them. Here are some things to keep in mind after breast surgery:
- You will feel some tightness in your chest and armpit after surgery. This is normal and the tightness will decrease as you do your exercises.
- Many women have burning, tingling, numbness, or soreness on the back of the arm and/or chest wall. This is because the surgery can irritate some of your nerves. These feelings may increase a few weeks after surgery. But keep doing your exercises unless you notice unusual swelling or tenderness. (If this happens, let your doctor know about it right away.) Sometimes rubbing or stroking the area with your hand or a soft cloth can help make the area less sensitive.
- It may be helpful to do exercises after a warm shower when muscles are warm and relaxed.
- Wear comfortable, loose clothing when doing the exercises.
- Do the exercises until you feel a slow stretch. Hold each stretch at the end of the motion and slowly count to 5. It is normal to feel some pulling as you stretch the skin and muscles that have been shortened because of the surgery. Do not bounce or make any jerky movements when doing any of the exercises. You should not feel pain as you do the exercises, only gentle stretching.
- Do each exercise 5 to 7 times. Try to do each exercise correctly. If you have trouble with the exercises, talk to your doctor. You may need to be referred to a physical or occupational therapist.
- Do the exercises twice a day until you get back your normal flexibility and strength.
- Be sure to take deep breaths, in and out, as you do each exercise.
- The exercises are set up so that you start them lying down, move to sitting, and finish them standing up.
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