If someone is right handed, for example, and they have their surgery on their right side, they should be using the left side to do things. The more they use the right arm, it creates problems. That doesn't mean they should stop using the right arm, but they should moderate it and not abuse it. Lymphedema can appear as early as 6 months and as late as 10 years. It usually takes several years to appear.
Nerve damage takes much longer to repair.
In other words, the numbness, tingling, lack of sensation can take many years to recover from. But there are much more effective ways of pain control. Our tolerance for pain is zero. It's also very important to have good pain control with medication, because uncontrolled pain leads to depression, poor appetite, lack of exercise and marked impairment of quality of life. Good pain control is essential and always achievable.