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Succeeding after Breast Surgery: The WakeMed Breast Health Rehab Program

WakeMed Rehab & Physical Therapy Rehab/Physical Therapy

The therapists with the WakeMed Breast Health Rehab Program understand the seriousness of a breast cancer diagnosis and a patient’s desire to battle the disease with all possible resources. That’s why they developed the Breast Health Rehab Program!

Before Breast Surgery

The program begins with a pre-surgery evaluation, which gives patients a head start on their recovery with education, special exercises and tips on what to watch for after surgery. Therapists will also gather baseline information to help create personalized treatment plans for each patient.

After Breast Surgery

Following surgery, the Breast Health Rehab Program team will:

  • Address incision care
  • Offer additional instruction on therapeutic exercises and managing edema (swelling)
  • Discuss activity tolerance
  • Help patients prevent lymphedema
  • Lymphedema treatment down the road

Lymphedema

Lymphedema is a chronic, progressive swelling from an abnormal accumulation of lymph fluid buildup in the hands, arms, or chest after the removal of lymph nodes. Patients may develop lymphedema months or years after breast surgery.

WakeMed Breast Health Rehab Program

The WakeMed Breast Health Rehab Program can help. Our therapists provide complete decongestive therapy, the international gold standard treatment for lymphedema. Treatment includes in-office therapy combined with a home maintenance program that, when practiced consistently, can provide long-term relief. SOZO® technology, which provides information about a person’s body fluid and tissue to detect lymphedema before it is noticeable, is an important tool that WakeMed lymphedema therapists use to help patients prevent the condition before it causes discomfort.

“The SOZO became indispensable to us as soon as we put it to use three years ago,” said Ashley Railsback, OT, WakeMed Outpatient Rehab – North Hospital. “It produces precise results in about a minute, so we can get started on a prevention plan if it is necessary.”

If you are facing breast cancer treatment or suspect you have lymphedema, talk to your primary care physician, oncologist or surgeon about a referral to the WakeMed Breast Health Rehab Program. For more information, call 919-350-7000. Referrals can be made through Epic or by fax 919-235-1328.

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