I am having implants under the muscle and I want to know how restricted I will be in doing certain things after the op?

I know people say you can't raise your arms to wash your hair etc, but what about other things like moving your arms to wash your face/brush your teeth - I would hate to not be able to do that.

If its usual to be very restricted - how long does that last?

Please help, I would love some advice, thanks.

hiya,

you'll be fine to brush your teeth, wash your face etc. the things that are difficult for 3/4 days are: getting in and out of bed as you can't use your arms to push yourself up, same with the sofa; reaching for things high up on a shelf (make sure you move things down a level or get someone to reach for them for you); lifting things, even a kettle full of water might be too much so if you have kids, you won't be picking them up for some time! putting tops on over your head is a bit hard and reaching round to scratch your back! i was able to wash my hair in the shower 2 days after my op as i could just about reach the top of my head and didn't have to worry about getting dressings wet as i didn't have any (my surgeon used some kind of special glue instead).

oh and i was walking a bit funny as well for a couple of days?! each step made it feel a bit sore so i was walking really slowly, must have looked a right idiot! it's really not that bad but only do what your body lets you do, just rest and don't do too much! you'll start to notice a difference in how you feel after about 3 days and from then on it just gets easier and easier.

when are you having your op?

Laura x

Thanks for that, I feel much more reassured - I had visions of being stuck in a chair not being able to move!

I am having my op 18th July with Bupa, I am a bit nervous but also excited - I have wanted to have it done for 10 years!!

I had unders 5 weeks ago. I found it ok brushing my teeth, because I kept my elbows by my sides and just raised my hands up to my face, if you know what I mean? For at least a week I couldn't lift my arms more than a few inches. I managed to cope with dirty hair for about 6 days and then my mum washed it over the bath for me, it was bliss! I was petrified of getting water on my dressings so I just gritted my teeth and wore hats!
Only this week I have been able to lift my arms fully with no pain, it does take a while to get back to normal. Its really hard to get up off the settee, so make sure you put loads of cushions behind your back so you can just lean forward and get up, because you dont realise how much you rely on pushing yourself up with your arms, which you wont be able to do for a few weeks. I got myself stuck a few times, because your arms really are useless for a while, but you quickly find new ways of doing things. My boyfriend found it hilarious watching me going about my little tasks in my funny new ways.
The hardest thing has been driving, especially if I have had to make a sharp turn with the steering wheel, I get a sharp pain in my chest.

ok i've just seen jampot's response and it's quite different to mine, i was able to lift my arms up after a week i think max without it hurting which just goes to show that everyone is different and recovers at different rates. i think i'd prepared myself for the worst recovery possible and then was pleasantly surprised! i won't play down the pain though, it was very sore and heavy for 3/4 days, i had to make little cuts in my sports bra to release some pressure as it was too tight on my scars. anyway good luck with your op, you'll be fine x

Thanks alot for the advice. I am having 2 weeks off work (I work in an office and sit at a desk all day) so do you think that is enough time to have off? I wont need to move my arms much but if it is painful I will be scared to go back to work.

you should be fine, 2 weeks is plenty of time for the pain and heavy feeling to go away, i was out partying less than 2 weeks after my op!

Thanks for all your advice. I am less worried about it now! However, I will still prepare myself for the worse and hopefully I will be able to cope!

x x x

Yes I read the other responses too and it does seem that everyone recovers differently! I think I have had a great recovery, no major traumas and its all gone pretty well, I too was expecting really bad pain and a nightmare few weeks, but its been fine. I had a week off and this was ok, but I did get a lift to and from work for 2 weeks so this eased the process a bit.