How long after BLMX and TE placement were you back to exercise?

mdg

I am waiting to confirm my surgery date for BLMX with TE placement - I think it will be early February.  How long will it take before I can at least start walking on a treadmill or riding a stationary bike post OP?  When did you return to doing any upperbody exercise with light weights post OP?  Just curious.  It's going to be hard not to exercise.  When I had my C-section, I was started walking outside a few days post OP.  I was back to the gym for light workouts 5 or 6 weeks post OP and taught my first aerobics class at 8 weeks post OP.  I know this will be much different, but I don't know what to expect.  Any information would be helpful.  Clearly I want to do what is best for my recovery and take the time I need to heal as my first priority, but I want to get back to my usual routine as quickly as I can. 

NatsFan

My surgeons had me walking in the hospital, and I walked from the day I got home.  Yes, that first day home I only managed to get down the block and back, but within a few days I was able to sustain an hour or so. My guess is that slow walking on a treadmill will be OK'd by your surgeon, but the stationary bike is more iffy since it's more strenous and involves the upper body indirectly with "jiggling". 

You will be under upper body restrictions - follow the range-of-motion exercises they give you, but don't get carried away and don't do anything more until you are cleared by your surgeon.  Your body needs to heal.  Also, since you had nodes removed you are at risk for lymphedema, so research that and take precautions to make sure you don't overuse the arm and induce LE.

I went back to work two weeks after my bmx with t/e placement, and drove myself.  But I also only have a 3 mile commute.  

Good luck!

catbert4209

I, too, was walking in the hospital the day after my BLMX, and continued walking every day when I got home.  NatsFan is absolutely right--listen to your surgeon about when to begin any upper body exercises.  Mine was very cautious about making sure I did not overdo, and I did not have any problem with edema because I followed his directions!

All the best to you, mdg!  You'll be in my prayers!

Catbert

sbragg

Mdg,

I think it is really quite different for everyone...I was walking down the hospital halls about 8 hours after my BLMX w/TE, and once home the next day, I wanted to get back to my "old self" right away - after a few weeks I developed some scarring that thethers the skin, as well as some facsial cording and tissue tightening, so the pain came with that and limited mobility - on lots of pain meds now and seeing phsyio and massage therapists. Some of this was in part due to my overextending and doing too much too soon...so please be careful  - listen to your body and don't push it - stretching and exercising as per the appropriate time and routine/techniques prescribed can certainly be very beneficial...but be reasonable - it's a huge surgery and you deserve all the consideration you give yourself...all the best to you, Sherry