The cancer menace continues to affect many people. If you have been diagnosed with breast cancer, your doctor may recommend surgery to slow its spread and/or alleviate its symptoms. Surgical removal might seem scary, but it offers many benefits, including more confidence since you won’t be overly worried about cancer returning. After Huntsville breast cancer surgery, your doctor will provide specific care instructions to help navigate the recovery process. You must follow the instructions to facilitate smoother recovery and improve the success rate. Besides your doctor’s recommendation, here are some extra tips that can make a recovery more manageable.
Pain management
Your doctor will provide a prescription for pain medication after the surgery. This accounts for other concerns like active medication you are taking and overall health. The prescription may not provide as much relief as you want to remain active. In that case, you can turn to over-the-counter pain medication in addition to the prescription or instead of it.
Nonetheless, it would be best to talk to your doctor before adding or switching to a different medication. This is because you could be doing more harm to your body, such as increased bleeding likelihood, if you use medication containing aspirin shortly after the surgery. Pain management is critical during recovery since it impacts your mental and physical wellness, which affects the healing process. As such, it is best not to assume the pain is normal and get through it instead of proper management.
Physical activity
Remaining physically active after breast surgery can be difficult. You may feel like not getting out of bed at times. However, leading an active life can help you have a speedy recovery. Exercise can lower stress levels and improve your moods and blood circulation, enhancing healing. Besides your usual exercise regimen, you can include measures geared with breast surgery in mind, such as:
- Arm swings – Swing both arms forward and back from the shoulders with the elbows straight while standing.
- Arm lifts – Lift arms over the head, keeping the elbows close to the ears. Hold the position for a count of up to or longer than five.
- Wall climb– Stand close to a wall and put your arms in front of your hands. Climb your fingertips up the wall until they are stretched over your head. Climb them down, and repeat a few times.
The exercises help in moving the lymph fluid out of the arms. They also help improve and restore movement.
Diet
A healthy diet is critical as you recover from surgery. Your appetite may take a blow due to breast cancer or the treatment. This emphasizes the need to have and stick to a healthy eating plan. From the portion sizes and eating frequency to the menu, you need a practical diet regimen to ensure your body is well replenished to facilitate a better recovery process.
Be on the lookout
Breast cancer surgery is safe. Nonetheless, like any other surgical treatment, there are potential risks and complications. Your doctor will give you information on the dos and don’ts after surgery. It is also critical that you be on the lookout and call your doctors if something feels or looks amiss. This can facilitate prompt intervention and avoid significant problems down the line.
Breast surgery could be our best treatment option. With modern medical advancements, including robotic surgery, the treatment is safe and effective, which can address the problem and improve the quality of your life. Contact Ray Sheppard Jr., MD, today for more on breast cancer and the recovery process.
