melanoma cancer

reconstruction 

During the period of reconstruction, you are likely to cycle between being in the post-surgical time frame and the prehabilitation time frame.   Please see these pages for details of those programs, and chapter 10 of Moving Through Cancer for more details. 

Reconstruction after melanoma surgery is highly individual.  For some, the reconstructed area is small and a special program is not needed.

However, for some people, there could be extensive bone, cartilage, or skin grafting.  If this is the case, we strongly recommend you request a referral to a physical therapist with specialty training in oncology.  There may be particular exercises these trained professionals can teach you that would assist you with maintaining function and range of motion after reconstruction. 

Here’s a listing of oncology trained physical therapists:

https://aptaapps.apta.org/APTAPTDirectory/FindAPTDirectory.aspx