1st post op today, he said this isn't normal!!

[midwestern]

I had my 1st post op appt today... 6 days post op. I've had weakness in my arms and hands since having my BA done last Friday and my PS told me this isn't normal.... yest there have been women that have said that they had this symptoms for awhile after surgery. I've also had extreme fatigue since my surgery and he also said that isn't normal at this point.... yet, women have told me that this will last awhile too.

He's a VERY reputable DR. an does more BA's in the state so I have a hard time believing that none of is patients have these symptoms postop at this point! He wants me to see a neurologist just to make sure there isn't something wrong that shouldn't. This really makes me nervous that there really is something going on that's not normal!!

Emotionally I have been doing alittle better today and less anxious so that's a good sign! I don't much pain right now... just high and tight yet!!

What are your opinions on the arm and hand weakness and tiredness?

[claysiangirl]

well, I think that everyone is different so I think it would be difficult for him to say that it's not normal. Maybe it is perfectly normal for you. although I do think that you shouldn't be EXCESSIVELY tired. Also are you sure that it is weakness? I am just wondering b/c I know that I was afraid to move my arms much for fear of pain, so in essence I was pretty weak in my arms for a while too.

[HOT MAMA]

So sorry to hear your not feeling back to normal yet.

I am 17 days post op and have a little weakness in my right arm, but I think that I am using my left arm more because my right side is still sore, but my left feels pretty normal. Therefor I am letting my right arm relax a little more, and I think that is why it is not as strong as the left.

Are you using your arms normally yet, or are you not able to do to the weakness?

Are you still on meds? I think those can make you tired. I was taking a sleeping pill to sleep at night and it was making me like a zombie during the day, and that was normal for that sleeping pill, it was listed in the side effects.

I personally think it is a little early for a neurologist, but I am certainly not an expert.

Good Luck and keep us posted!

[avbjessup]

I hope all goes well for you! Please keep us posted!! {{{{{BIG HUG}}}}}

[Fruitbatjellybean]

If it makes you feel any better I was completely exhausted for the first week or so. An hour of activity just took everything I had out of me post op. I do think fatigue is a very normal and common side effect right after surgery.
I also had alot of weakness in both arms. Especially my right arm. It went away within the first couple of weeks.

Maybe your doc is just trying to play it safe, but based on my personal experience and others on this forum, it seems pretty normal to me.

[midwestern]

You guys are all so nice on this site... this has been blessing!!

I really am not in much pain at all and I've been using my arms to do normal day to day stuff.... with restrictions of course. I'm really watching what I do so they don't get sore and slow down if I feel like it's too much on them. But I'm doing quite a bit.
It feels like weakness... esp. in my grips and it's in both arms. I can use my arms..... they just feel weird. Maybe it's still just a little bit of the swelling yet, and they're high too. During surgery I know that they stretch your arms way out to your sides and sometimes they reposition you with your arms strapped down and sometimes the arms are slightly higher than the shoulders.... I used to work in surgery. So, maybe my arms weren't in the right postion. I have a friend who said she had weakness yet at 10 days so I'm trying not to panic too much right now! Although my PS didn't give me as much encouragement in that department as I would have liked to have.
This afternoon, and this evening, I've been feeling much better emotionally.... and I haven't had to take a Xanax today!! So, maybe I'm starting to turn the corner a little more!! Yeah!! Mornings seem to be hardest for some reason.... so we'll see what tomorrow brings!

I think it will help as these boobs start to feel more natural. They're getting better but I know they have a lot of changing to do!

One more question. My implants are sitting in the middle of my breasts with more loose skin underneath. I'm assuming this is normal and the implant will eventually fill it in as it drops???

[Fruitbatjellybean]

Originally Posted by midwestern

One more question. My implants are sitting in the middle of my breasts with more loose skin underneath. I'm assuming this is normal and the implant will eventually fill it in as it drops???

The dreaded "frankenboob"!!

As the implants drop, they'll fill out the bottom part and look more normal.

[Slinky]

I remember having trouble opening heavy doors, 'cause I just didn't have the strength in my arms. And this was weeks post-surgery! I was really careful with whatever I did and found ways to do things without using a lot of upper body strength. If you have NO strength, I guess that is a bit unusual, but if you are just feeling weaker than normal, then I'd bet you simply need more time to heal and adjust to the BA.
It's not unusual to feel worst in the morning. Your body is stiff from not moving much. Plus the weird position you have to sleep in, post-BA. Once you get up and moving, it should feel better.
Sounds like your PS is very pro-active and wants to be sure of your health. That's a good thing! But I'm sorry he's got you worried. You know yourself better than anyone else. If you are starting to feel a bit better, then I'd guess you are on the upswing. Think positively. And keep us posted, ok?

Slinky

[ChicFashionista]

I'm sorry your PS got you so anxious. Honestly, I was pretty damn wiped out the first week post-op. Any amount of activity exhausted me. I don't know that my arms are "weak" - but I certainly can't push or pull anything heavy ... the car door is still a bit of an effort (not painful - but I just have to take it a bit slower, like an old lady) ... I don't think that what you're experiencing is anything unusual. But certainly keep an eye on it, and see if you continue to improve. This stuff takes time. You don't wake up better overnight. That's what I've learned.

[midwestern]

Oh!!! So.... this is what the Frankenboob stage looks like!! Not quite as pretty!

I think if I could just sleep on my side I would feel a little more refreshed in the morning.... but.... THAT'"s not going to happen anytime soon!!

Thanks for the help everybody! It's really encouraging. I'm just hoping this is normal and if it keeps up I'm not opposed to getting it checked out... just to be on the safe side!

[Traci34]

Doesn't hurt to be careful and get all options checked out. In my non-medical opinion, no you should not still be feeling that after 3 days. Take care of yourself and get checked out. Hang in there!!! We're here for you!

[FlatGirl21]

I haven't read all the replies but I just wanted to tell you I had EXTREME fatigue up to 5 or 6 days after, i was so so tired and it really got me down. but it went away completely after 2 weeks. also the first few days I had occasional weird feeling in my hand/s like numb/weak, but my arms were weak as well, I couldnt shut the car door for a few days, figured this was effect of chest muscled being cut up. HTH

[marbleeyes]

I had weird weakness in my arms for at least 10 days post op, kinda freaked me out until I saw that almost everyone on here had that feeling

[midwestern]

I'm post op 8 today and I still do have generalized weakness all over.... but I think my hands feel a little less weird. I'm just still sooooo tired! I feel better in the afternoons and my emotions are slowly getting better. I still have about 1
breakdown a day.... which is good for me. But I'm getting much more comfortable with my boob!

My boobs are feeling better as far as tightness... when do they start to feel more like they're just your own boobs that are just SUPPOSED to be part of you? The swelling has gone down quite a bit and they're softer than they were.... as much as they possibly can be right now.

[daisy 621]

hey hun!
i am so sorry you're so worried... are you going to see a neurologist?

i had a lot of weakness but more stiffness in the week(s) following my BA. it was no fun!!!

the only thing i can suggest is to follow your PS' recommendations. get it checked out so you can fully relax and enjoy your boobies!!!

(as for the frankenboob... i had NO breast tissue or skin before surgery so i have no experience there )

good luck and keep us posted!!!!

[Esselsie]

Same here... I definately struggled with heavy doors / lifting for the first couple of weeks - I even struggled to lift my arms straight above my head ( and also had frankenboob... arrrgghh!!)

I am just over 4 weeks post now, and only in the last week has frankenboob gone from both ( righty went quicker than lefty) - and have I noticed I can use my arms normally again.

Good luck for the rest of your recovery - the ladies here are a great help, and helped remind me that I had been through 2 operations, so needed to give myself time to recover!!