Exercise for the arm lifting after lymph node biopsy

Bella_YT

Hi all,

I had a UMX on the left side with SLNB. I just got the drain removed yesterday. I wonder if anyone has great sources of exercises suitable for your arm/hand where your MX and LNB took place. I find it hard to lift and use my left arm/hand.

Thanks so much for your input!

Bella 

ruthbru

check this site out:  http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/BreastCancer/MoreInformation/exercises-after-breast-surgery

Laurie08

no one gave me special exercise to do after my BMX and SNB.  My PS just told me to do as many normal things as I could and to try and stretch my arms over my head a few times a day as far as I could before I felt pain.  I found every day life helped me stretch.  The kids sippy cups are on the second shelf of the cupboard etc.  So I had to reach to get them, sometimes it hurt, sometimes it didn't.  But by doing as much as I could, and saying when I couldn't, I had full range of motion back quickly.  A couple of weeks.  The days will vary, sometimes I could reach high and an hour later I couldn't.  Just do what you can with out pushing yourself too hard and keep at it.  Oh, and reward yourself with a nap when you need it:)

Bella_YT

Thanks Ruthbru and Laurie: I asked my BS who asked my PS, and my PS told me don't do any exercise until he sees me for my first fill next week. He will be giving me a program to follow.

Best,

Bella 

TifJ

Bella, the American Cancer Society has a booklet on lymphedema exercises that work well for the mx and node removal ( even if you don't have lymphedema). My BS gave it to me. You should definitely ask your PS before starting any exercise!

kira66715

Bella, I went to the National Lymphedema Network conference, and one of the great therapists gave a lecture on breast cancer rehab, and she suggested to limit stretch through the axilla for the first 10 days as the delicate lymphatics are healing--no excessive overhead stretching--she actually recommended not raising the arm above shoulder height for the first 10-14 days.

The ACS exercises talk about the post-op period, and just propping up the arm, and doing fist pumps.

The rule of for exercise to reduce the risk of lymphedema is to start slow and steady.

The lecturer talked about women who overdid it right after SLNB, and got an axillary seroma and axillary cords and high risk for lymphedema---and that was me. No one gave me any post op instructions, so I was stretching like mad. And got lymphedema three weeks post op.

Kira 

mumito

I did daily stretching and started once my staples were removed.Slowly got most of my flexability back and  no LE (touch wood)