Q: What should I expect from undergoing surgery to the armpit (axilla) related with breast cancer surgery?
A: In cases involving a simple biopsy (removal of tissue from the axilla), immediate function of the arm is restored. Following surgery to remove lymph nodes found in the armpit (axillary dissection), you may experience pain, heaviness in the arm, tingling, decreased sensitivity and difficulties moving the arms, especially in the first few weeks after discharge from the hospital. These symptoms may occur due to the presence of a drainage tube that may impede movement, partly from urging the neurovascular structures during surgery and partly from the formation of scars in the armpit. They may lead you to keep the arm still in order to feel less pain, however, doing so should be avoided. In fact, the symptoms themselves should disappear once the arm has regained a sense of function and for this to occur, you should continue with arm and forearm movements. Within time, you can go about doing all your normal daily activities and health activities without any worries.
