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CLND

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › CLND

  • Post
    • April 20, 2017 at 10:26 pm
    ajpeterson
    Participant

      I scheduled surgery for May 15th….about 3 weeks from now to have a CLND and I'm trying to anticipate how much time I'll need to recover before heading back to work.  I teach 3rd grade and so it's not exactly a sitting around in an office sort of job.  🙂  Any ideas? 

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    • Replies
        • April 20, 2017 at 10:58 pm
        MichelleRHG
        Participant
          The more you are up and around, the more your wound drains. Rest promotes healing with a CLND. My 1st surgeon did not tell me this but the 2nd one did and she was right! For my CLND of groin I had the surgical drain for 5 weeks which think is longer than average , but I did whatever I felt like after a couple of weeks. It wasn’t bad but the drain was a nuisance. I’m sure your surgeon will give you guidelines. Good luck!
          • April 21, 2017 at 2:04 am
          momof4boys
          Participant
            Im not sure of time lengths because I got an infection which required me to be admitted for 5 more days. So all of it together was probably rougher on me than others. But I agree about the drains. Mine were in for over 6 weeks. You could probably work during that time but have to hide the drains. I made a little pouch like apron thing. I cant remember but I dont think I felt like doing much for awhile. Maybe make accommodations in your classroom so you can sit more. I would definitely prop your leg when you get home.
              • April 21, 2017 at 2:14 am
              MovingOn
              Participant

                Standard seems to be 6 weeks (not standard for the patient but standard from surgeons and disability insurance case managers). Some are longer and some patients want to go back after 2 weeks.

                I was working 2 hours after my sentinel node dissection (evening conf call with China), but took 8 weeks after CLND of one side of the neck (additional complications were involved). I think that is why disability insurance only confirms things after the surgery is completed.

              • April 21, 2017 at 3:17 pm
              iskitwo
              Participant

                I think it is very different for each person. I was back to work a week and a half later but mostly at a desk. I have to be up and down some and stairs too at work. It was not horrable but a little uncomfortable. The doctor removed my drain the day after surgery because it was up against a nerve and causing lots of pain. I did have a bit of fluid build up removed in the office due to the drain being pulled out so soon but it was a painless process. Best of luck to you!

                • April 21, 2017 at 5:32 pm
                SABKLYN
                Participant

                  It was about 8 weeks for me.  However, I had a humdinger of a post-op infection.

                   

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