1 Week post surgery - Pain when lifting left arm vertically.

[Moustafa]

Hey guys,
Its been exactly a week since my gyno surgery. I had very little swelling and all went well according to my Dr! I have a question; should I start stretching my chest now?
My right pec has no pain at all as I move my right arm vertically and stretch my chest while my left pec feels very tight and when I move my left arm vertically I feel pain (not terrible pain just pain that feels like Im stretching out the muscle hard).
If it matters, my right pec is not bruised while my left pec has slight bruises. My Dr told me I should keep stretching it? I feel its kind of too early and I dont want to permanently damage my muscle and prolonge my recovery as I am dying to get back to the gym.
If it matters I am 185 cm and about 190 lbs and about 13% BF.  I am lean and I dont think its an issue with the skin. Its just my left pec feels really tight. Should I wait with the stretching?

Thanks in advance!

[Dr. Elliot Jacobs]

Pain is the way your body communicates with you -- if it hurts so soon after surgery, then don't do it.

Many of my patients want to get back to the gym very quickly after surgery but I would advise not to be impatient.  Allow your body to heal.  Too early a return can cause some bleeding, which could ruin your result.  

In my practice, I don't want my patients to exercise for four weeks after surgery but I know Dr. Silverman and others may allow earlier return to the gym.

Speak to your surgeon -- he is responsible for your care and ultimate results.

Dr Jacobs

[Dr. Schuster]

You should follow your surgeon's instructions. 

[Litlriki]

As per Drs. Jacobs and Schuster, you should follow your surgeons instructions, including stretching and exercise.  With regard to tightness and discomfort, I caution my patients regarding excise, as I do allow them to resume resistance training at 2 weeks post-op.  I tell them, however, to avoid overhead maneuvers for the first week of lifting, and then add it in as it becomes more comfortable in the subsequent weeks.  In the early post-operative period, my rule is to avoid painful activities. Although stretching can feel tight, it shouldn't be painful as such, and patients can back off until the pain is less.

[Dr. Cruise]

Hello Moustafa, 
How are you doing now that you are a little farther out post-op?
Dr. C