May 8, 2012 10:23:06 PM WATime
Hi aussie12
Thanks for your query - I'm really delighted to help out with advice and information wherever I can!
The first aspect to consider is the type of surgery you've had. Mastectomy surgery is significant in the psychological impact, but is relatively easy for your body to recover from. This is due to the fact that surgery doesn't involve other structures such as muscular and internal organs. Provided no other complications occur such as infection or persistent seroma (fluid) collection, recovery usually only takes 3-4 weeks.
The complicating factor often is the lymph node surgery. I understand from your previous comments you had sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB), which involves removing between 1-4 lymph nodes from the armpit. Although not as extensive as axillary clearance (removal of more axillary lymph nodes), SLNB does involve surgery to the armpit of the affected side and consequently may affect the arm. The nerve running through the armpit (intercostal-brachial nerve) is often damaged a little during surgery. This may affect the nerve supply to the skin around the lower armpit, extending around the back and the upper arm. Although arm strength is not usually affected, the upper arm may feel heavy and 'strange' after surgery, and using the arm for long periods may be very tiring. This often will take longer to recover from, possibly 6-8 weeks.
Tissue healing takes around 6 weeks to fully recover (again, depending on other factors that may delay the healing process).
Returning to work depends on the type of work involved. As your work requires heavy lifting, this is potentially going to take longer to be able to return to a full week. The more you are using your arms, the more likely you are to tire quickly. If at all possible to take on 'lighter duties' that do not involve a lot of heavy lifting, this would be more suitable to returning to work next week.
After SLNB there is a very small risk of developing lymphoedema (swelling of the arm from lymph fluid), and heavy lifting and straining of the affected arm may slightly increase this risk (as the physiotherapist would have explained). Therefore 'pushing it' by trying to over-strain the arm is not advised, and may be more harmful in the long-term. Using good lifting techniques and 'common sense' with all lifting and carrying out work duties is strongly recommended.
If you are still feeling sore and tire easily, I do suspect you will find a full week of work exhausting. Support from managers and colleagues does help, but if you do not feel ready to cope with the workload, please discuss further with your GP and manager at work.
All the best for a full recovery aussie12. Hope to hear how you go ..
Love Glenys (Click Breast are Nurse) xx
The Click Breast Care Nurse 
