Swimming / sauna advice please.

NessyNoodle

it has been three months since my BC mastectomy and I want to start swimming again. Does anyone know if it is too soon. Also not sure if it is safe to steam/sauna. Any advice would be welcome. X.

Piscean

Hi NessyNoodle!

In my experience surgeons want to make sure that the healing is complete before exercising. I would recommend asking your surgeon if it's OK to start before commencing.

That being said, it was 6 weeks after my reconstruction for Mx when I started exercising again. And I found, much to my dismay, that swimming was just too uncomfortable. Since the inferior aspect of the pectorals are cut, they pull when I try to perform breast stroke or side stroke, even just a crawl. Be forewarned that you may not be able to swim right away as you used to.

I don't have an answer as far as steam and sauna, but I started using those two months out from my reconstructive surgery.

coraleliz

I didn't have reconstruction. I was swimming again less than1 month after my BMX. Some swimsuits initially bothered my chest. Swimming really helped me regain mobility in my arms. As for the sauna, the concern there would be lymphedema. I didn't ask permission, I just went forward. If you had recon, I'd definitely ask your PS. More things that could go wrong & longer healing, or so it seems.

NessyNoodle

Thank you boh for the advice. It is much appreciated. I feel nervous going as I have not had reconstruction and inserts still fell a bit strange. Once I go the first time it should get easier .

ruthbru

Yes, you can swim. Just start out slowly with the arm movements (as you should with any type of exercise) and work your way slowly back into your normal routine. Saunas and steam rooms are problematical because the heat can increase the risk of lymphedema. I, myself, steer clear of them......which isn't a problem for me because I don't like to be hot anyway!

Mummi71

I started exercise, gym, jogging, stretching after three weeks of operation (mastectomy no reconstruction). And as a Finnish person sauna of cource. The heat does good for your arm.

tessu

About sauna: I had mastectomy with node dissection last summer, and am still in the middle of chemo. I developed lymphedema in my operated arm, hand and fingers, which can't get intensive treatment until January, after chemotherapy is done.But -- my lymphedema therapist said Finnish sauna is ok, if I first wrap my LE arm in a cold wet towel, and only stay in the sauna for about ten minutes. Still haven't tried that --- cold, wet towel doesn't sound very enticing --- but she said sauna would be safe that way.