Undergoing a mastectomy, or removing one or both breasts, is a big challenge for women. It is a painful process not only physically, as well as psychologically. A patient may feel withdrawn and think that she’s not complete anymore. However, with proper rehabilitation and support of family members and friends, these problems can be overcome.

Proper rehabilitation is what a patient who has undergone a mastectomy needs. The kind of rehabilitation she’ll receive will contribute to the quality of life she’ll have after the operation. Normally, the rehabilitation starts on the second day after operation. Physical exercises are done to reduce the muscle strength of the upper limb on the operated side, limit shoulder joint motion on the operated side, and avoid lymph circulation disorder.

Upper limb exercises are important to restore the full shoulder joint range and improve muscle strength. Without this exercise, tightening of the hand will happen which will limit the hand motion. Exercising 2 times a day is recommended, as long as the hand is not over-exhausted.  Aside from exercises, it is also essential to put one’s limb high so that any edema can flow in accordance with the law of gravity. It can be done by putting the hands on a rolled blanket, hard pillows or a special chock, where the limb can rest above the shoulder joint.

The patient can do some work using her hand on the operated side as long as the weight does not exceed 2 kilograms. She should also do a self-massage. Usually, proper massage is taught to the patient by her specialist after the surgery.

Another part of mastectomy rehabilitation is wearing a prosthesis. This is not only for beautification purposes, but also to avoid health problems. After a mastectomy, there is the possibility that the woman will suffer from posture problems, especially if a bigger breast is removed. In order to avoid this, the loss of breast is replaced by cotton wool or a sponge in the first phase of healing. When it is completely healed, a regular prosthesis can be worn which should be the same weight and size as that of the remaining breast.

If given proper rehabilitation, a woman can recover from a mastectomy fast, and can live life normally again. With the support of her family and friends, plus the quality of rehabilitation she’ll get will determine how she’ll cope with the loss of her breast.