Activity Guidelines After Mastectomy with Breast Reconstruction

After surgery information

You will have drains for approximately 1-2 weeks after your surgery.

While drains are in place:

• Avoid reaching overhead past shoulder height

• Avoid reaching behind you

• Avoid reaching out further than arm’s length

• Avoid pushing

• Avoid pulling

• Avoid items weighing more than 5 pounds

• Avoid rolling to affected side

Important note

Following drain removal, continue to avoid pushing, pulling, and heavy lifting for 4-6 weeks. These precautions will give your body time to heal and prevent any strain or injury to your arms. You are encouraged to use your arms, but continue to be aware of your arm movements and positions during activities of daily living and transitional movements (for example: getting out of bed).

When drains are removed, you are cleared to perform light activity. Continue to avoid weighted exercises (for example with dumb bells or kettle bells).

Exercise

Walking is good for you at any time:

• Walk slow and avoid a fast pace or bouncing.

• No running, use of elliptical machines, rowing machines or Stairmasters until cleared by your doctor.

Arm exercises after drains are removed

• Start slow.
• No resistance or weights.
• Increase shoulder range of motion past shoulder height slowly each day.
  • Rule of thumb: About 10 degrees daily or as much as you can tolerate.
• Shoulder exercise (We recommended completing 1x10 repetitions of each).
1. Shoulder circles: _____ times _____ times a day
2. Wall hand climbing: _____ times _____ times a day
3. Internal/external rotation with umbrella or cane: _____ times _____ times a day
4. Snow Angel: _____ times _____ times a day

Below are pictures of the exercises in order:

1.
2.
3.
4.

© NYU Langone Health. All rights reserved. Reviewed for health literacy. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your health care provider's instructions.