Exercising (Chest press) and flat chest

happynewyorker

Greetings & Salutations everyone!

I had my mastectomy 2 years ago (2/19/2015), and this past September 2016 I had total knee replacement surgery. I've been going to the gym to make my knee function better and lose some weight. I have noticed that when I do any chest press exercises (done twice in the last 2 months), my neck, underarm and arm really hurt. I had my mastectomy on my right breast. My left side is fine and doesn't hurt, but the right side hurts to the point when I raise it, it's so sore. I hate to ask if this is common (as on FB total knee replacement page), that's the common question.

Has anyone experience this and if so, what is recommended?

Jennie93

I'm not sure what a chest press is, but if it's anything like push-ups, you should not be doing anything like that, ever again, period. This according to my LE specialist.

When I had my MX the surgeon had to take my pec muscle, in order to get clean margins, because the tumor was sitting right on it. I was really upset when I found out. And he actually told me the muscle would grow back! Which is a lie! I sure do miss that muscle. There are things I can no longer do. I did push-ups before my surgery...... no more. Not strong enough to do one-handed ones.

There is a link in here somewhere about exercise guidelines for post-MX - will look for it, or maybe someone else has it handy - but, for sure, nothing should cause pain. If it hurts, back off immediately.

ksusan

People need to be evaluated individually. My PT has placed no pectoral or arm restrictions other than "work up to it very slowly" and "don't do a few things that will further injure your rotator cuff."

It's possible you need to build up to it, and it's possible you have scar adhesions or cording. A PT, preferably one who's got lymphedema training, should be able to help you out.

happynewyorker

Thanks for your reply @Jennie93. It doesn't hurt while doing the exercises, by the next day is when I feel it. I'll have to reach out to my oncologist nurse and see if she can find out. The chest press is a machine that you lift it up. I going to find out if I can do at least 5 or 10 pounds. I'd like to work on the flab on the side where my mastectomy was.

thanks again,

Jennie93

Here's the exercise info:

https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/58/topics...

happynewyorker

Thanks for the information @ksusan. I do know, since reading your reply that I have no weight restrictions. I can lift boxes is what I was told by my breast surgeon 2 years ago. But, I don't let on at work.

I'll ask my PT for my knee, he should be able to recommend someone.

Thank you for the suggestion @Ksusan.

Best regards,

Lee

happynewyorker

Thanks again for the information @jennie93.

best regards,

Lee

MT1

I do chest presses regularly. Are you experiencing delayed onset muscle soreness or something else? So long as I regularity do my chest presses, I am fine. When I stop and start again, I can have pain that this very distracting. I would describe this as muscle soreness, and combine it with scar pain. Also when I don't exercise regularly, my scars can adhere to my chest wall and can send spasms of intermittent intense pain. Message helps here.I find, sustained, regular movement is best-for my body and when I commit to regular movement, the small pains I describe do not surface. Pauses are necessary. But when they occur, slow and steady reentry is the way to go. Learn your body. Do not listen to those who say not to do this or that movement, or stop all push-ups or downward dogs. Use your body, work with it and learn what works -for you-.

bareclaws

well, maybe I'm doing everything wrong. I'm doing short (15 m) arm workouts daily, with and without weights (3 lb) Had BMX March 15, no recon, and started range of motion exercises next day. My upper body strength is squat, so am feeling like this can only help. (I did have left sentinel node removed and five other nodes came out with the breast tissue during the BMX, all negative.) Planks are no problem, but I've never been able to do a push-up. I'd like to work on that!