You no doubt know by now that if you're going to have breast surgery, you have to follow your doctor's post-op instructions. Recovering from minor surgery, such as when you have fibroadenomas removed, doesn't require you to restrict your life for too long, but you can still feel uncomfortable for a few weeks afterward. Taking things slowly and carefully, and finding the right clothing, will help you stave off any residual soreness or other odd sensations.

Arm Pillow

Get a pillow, or better yet, bunch up extra blanket material (because that won't fall off the bed) and lodge it under the arm by the breast that was operated on. When you try to lie down or sleep after the surgery, you're not going to want to sleep on your side, when your breast could move into odd positions and stretch the surgery incision site. But if you sleep on your back, when you rest your arm, you're actually pulling down on the breast tissue a bit. Placing that pillow under your arm elevates the arm and reduces the pulling. This will make sleeping so much more comfortable because not only is the pulling sensation gone, but your breast may actually feel more protected or shielded with your arm resting right beside it, instead of a few inches below it.

No Lifting

You should start moving as soon as your doctor says it's OK; while you might not want to move at all in the day or so after surgery, once you do start moving, you'll help your circulation and healing processes. But pay close attention to any prohibitions against lifting. If you need to grab something off the ground, do so by bending your knees, like you're in a lifting-safety video, and don't lift anything remotely heavy with the arm that's by the recovering breast. As you tense the muscles in your chest near your shoulder, you can stress out the surgery site. Even if your recovery is going well, lifting could make the site feel stressed out, which can be a bit alarming. And if your post-op instructions didn't include prohibitions against lifting, don't lift anything heavy for at least 1 to 2 weeks after the surgery or more if that's what makes you comfortable.

Careful Bending and Running

When you bend down, or when you go running, you risk having your breast move, either with your steps or with gravity. Even after sutures have been removed and the main incision has healed, that movement can feel really uncomfortable. It might be all in your head, but combat the feeling by lifting from your knees and not running for a while. Be careful about blithely swooping over to pick up a pair of shoes off the floor, for example. Even that light, quick movement can set off some soreness.

Clothing Restrictions

Look into post-surgery bras to help support your breast. Don't go braless; you want the breast to stay in one place as much as possible, and post-surgery bras are made to support you without chafing your already traumatized breast.

Talk to your surgeon about what he or she has noticed after others have undergone similar surgeries. You don't have to be Superwoman and resume your normal-speed life a few days after the surgery. It's OK to take things carefully.

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