In most cases, exercising after surgery can help you regain motion and strength in your arm and shoulder. It can also reduce pain and stiffness in your neck and back. You should start planned exercises as a soon as you and your health care provider think you are ready, sometimes within a day or so after surgery. This happens while you are still in the recovery period. Gradually, you will move to more active exercises.

Regular exercise should become a part of your normal activities. If you decide to have a mastectomy and immediate breast reconstruction, you might need different physical therapy, which your health care provider will explain.