Muscle tone/working out and surgery?

Trvler

I have been working out more since I found out I had BC, not necessarily for any other reason than to make me healthier to endure whatever is coming my way. It also helps me cope mentally. My workout includes a lot of upper body weight work. I am wondering if this might not be a good idea…building muscle in my pecs and areas in and around my breasts….because it might make surgery more painful? I am only using 5 pounds weights now although I could probably increase them to 6. Is this a crazy question? I am strongly considering a BMX using my own tissue. Forgive me for not knowing all the correct terms. I am very new here.

vlnrph

No such thing as a crazy question. Work safe (try not to overdo & strain something). I think strong muscles would probably recover faster and perhaps hurt less than flabby ones!

Couple thoughts on lymphedema prevention: be sure to get baseline measurements prior to surgery, in order to have a comparison if it seems like swelling develops. Then, post-op do not raise your arm above your head for at least 10 days. After two weeks you can begin extending the range of motion. Vigorous stretching too soon destroys the opportunity for drainage vessels to repair themselves.

Take advantage of any physical therapy available at your treatment center. Resume weight lifting with fewer pounds and not as many repetitions, increase gradually and monitor how you feel. There are gals on the LE forum here who can offer advice for both now and later. Carol57 has some excellent reference material on exercise which she will be happy to share, you can shoot her a private message and tell her I sent you...