bruising and soreness

[TinaK]

I am almost 5 weeks post surgery, things are going well, except fo the bruising around the scar (I think its normal .....but would like to be reassured that others have had the same). Also, my breast and muscles are extremely sore (I hope that also normal)

My heart rate is an astounding 74......pre surgery resting heart rate was 98!!! I cant wait to get back to 100%. I have friends and collegues tell me how much color I have now. You dont realize how bad you are until you get fixed. I really feel like I have a new lease on life!

I would appreciate any feedback on the bruising and soreness. I really find comfort in knowing that my journey is no different than so many others on this forum.

 

[Cooker]

Hi Tina....bruising and soreness 5 weeks out was my case too...especislly the soreness....it takes time...As far as the muscle and breast soreness goes I had more muscle pain than anything else.....they stretch you in all sorts of ways....My right shoulder and chest were especially problimatic....It took me nearly 8 months for this to resolve itseelf....but with anything if it persists or worries you, call the doctor.

 

[Ross]

It's quite normal. Your going to be sore for a long time yet.

 

[WayneGM]

My experience pretty much mirrors what Cooker said, except in my case it was my left shoulder and neck that gave me the most muscle ache. My incision is still sensitive and I'm 2 years out. The other day, I was pulling something off of a high self, and a box fell over and hit me in the chest right on the incision. Ooouuch! Did it ever sting!

 

[Guest]

I am almost 5 weeks post surgery, things are going well, except fo the bruising around the scar (I think its normal .....but would like to be reassured that others have had the same). Also, my breast and muscles are extremely sore (I hope that also normal)

My heart rate is an astounding 74......pre surgery resting heart rate was 98!!! I cant wait to get back to 100%. I have friends and collegues tell me how much color I have now. You dont realize how bad you are until you get fixed. I really feel like I have a new lease on life!

I would appreciate any feedback on the bruising and soreness. I really find comfort in knowing that my journey is no different than so many others on this forum.

Hi Tina, the soreness you are feeling can be muscle and nerves still healing. I had shooting pains into my breasts from just below the collar bone on both sides of the sternum downward. I did not have bruising around my incision except post op bruising. As you do more, you will have soreness.

4 months post op and all soreness is gone, still sensitivity along the incision from time to time.

I visited with a friend last month who had not seen me for a year and she said how pink I looked, very good color. Almost as if we are brand new babies, I think I read on here one time that someone viewed their surgery as a re-birth.

 

[marie]

Not much bruising but soreness in the breast and it's only in the last few days that my breast is not sore. I have left shoulder pain and although it's gotten better it's still there. I will be eight weeks post op on Tuesday.
You are normal.
Earline

 

[Jkm7]

My first OHS I had very little bruising but a lot of neck and shoulder pain.

This second OHS two and a half weeks ago left me so bruised it's unbelievable but no neck or shoulder pain at all. Same surgeon; same hospital. Both breasts are green, black, blue and yellow. I have a huge bruise beside my chest tube slits and a strange spotted black/blue bruise top of my left thigh. Can't imagine what that is from.....doesn't appear to be where they attached the bypass machine as I can't find a cut/incision.
Both arms are so bruised at both my wrists and inside elbows from all the iv's/blood draws etc

I have little areas of bruising along my incision but none of these bruises are particularly sore or troublesome. They are just ugly.

My incision is still quite sore.

 

[netmiff]

good colour is normal too

good colour is normal too

My mother came into ICU while I was still unconscious, my husband right on her heels. This was the first time they had seen me after surgery. Mum stopped dead in the door and said something like "Oh, my goodness, look at her" (my husband nearly dropped dead on the spot, thinking there was something really wrong with me) then "she has so much colour in her face, I haven't seen her looking that good in years!!!" I don't remember that, but I do remember my husband commenting at one point that my hair wasn't even mussed up, like in the movies; it is a standing joke between us, I just need to think about sleep and my hair is in total disarray, so that was quite a shock for him.

 

[tobagotwo]

There is muscle soreness and sometimes there are spasms for a couple of months past the surgery. The best that can be offered is to make sure you're moving your upper body, to keep it limber and ensure it's healing in soch a way that you remain flexible.

Nothing violent, just, as Satchel Paige once put it, "sort of jangle around when you walk." There's a definite move-it-or-lose-it quality to recovery. Simple, non-straining upper body exercises may help limit the about of pain and tenderness, as it helps move the lymphatic fluid from the area.

Best wishes,

 

[Superbob]

There is muscle soreness and sometimes there are spasms for a couple of months past the surgery. The best that can be offered is to make sure you're moving your upper body, to keep it limber and ensure it's healing in soch a way that you remain flexible.

Nothing violent, just, as Satchel Paige once put it, "sort of jangle around when you walk." There's a definite move-it-or-lose-it quality to recovery. Simple, non-straining upper body exercises may help limit the about of pain and tenderness, as it helps move the lymphatic fluid from the area.

Best wishes,

Good advice from Bob H, as usual. As a sidelight, I always love to see the wisdom of the ageless wonder of baseball (whom I once saw pitch), Satchel Paige, put to work.

I believe his exact words were, "Keep the juices flowing by jangling around gently as you move."

He had many others, such as, "Age is a case of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it don't matter."

 

[tobagotwo]

Your quote is #3 from his six famous points to promote health and longevity (some of which have been polished a bit over the years). Mine was from a much less formal statement he made in an interview. But yes, your version is much better known, and certainly as applicable.

Be happy,

 

[cp172]

I am 4 1/2 weeks post surgery.I am still brused,sore and get tired late in the day. I am not complaining..I am proud to be here.Still getting pampered and enjoying it!

 

[TomD]

Chest pain

Chest pain

I am now in week 5 and funny enough I am having more pain in the sternum and muscle then the first 4 weeks. I have been very very careful not to lift or strain them so I think its just a weird thing ones experiences before it gets better. Can't wait to get past the magic week 6. Our neighbor, who is not a doctor, said that her theory is that the nerves are now reconnecting and the pain is now registering in our brains in a normal way. Who knows, might be true.