Last week of fitness before the surgery

Journey, a coach of mine once told me that it takes three times as long to lose conditioning as it did for you to gain it; in other words, if you trained for a year, it would take you three years to go back to square one. It may be all lip, but it kept me from feeling guilty when I had to take some time away for surgery, pregnancy, r&r or whatever!

I see it like this: you are in pretty good shape already, so even if you did nothing this week, you'd still be in much better shape than the folks who are not as physically fit as you when they have major surgery. You're used to dealing with adversity (getting into a ring to spar is about as adversity-ridden as it gets); your road may have just as many obstacles, but you'll know how to get around/over them, lol...

And you really won't go insane being away from activity for a while - I PROMISE. You know how the formula for getting stronger is working hard followed by rest/recovery? Well, consider this your body's time to recover: very necessary.

All the best to you with your surgery. Post when you can to let us know how you're doing... 

I would have concentrated on my core strength before my BM if I had known how hard it would be to sit up for a little while after SX.  I ended up curling my knees to my chest and using my leg strength to pull myself up.

Journey, be as still as possible initially and your drains will come out faster.  Inactivity was easy at first for me since surgery exhausted me for a couple of weeks.  The pain wasn't that bad with the meds.  Best of luck and a speedy recovery.

Carol(AZ)

I am one week post op from bilat mast. I am thankful for strong abs as I can do a sit up in bed with no arms and rearrange my pillows. Finding out I don't need pectoral muscles for a sit up. I am taking a walk every morning for about 1 mile. I cannot use my arms for much so walking will be it for awhile. I go see the PS on 9-2 so will find out what she thinks I should do. during my walk my HR gets up a bit, I do not measure it. I get some deep breaths which really helps. this is enough for me right now. Used to work out 7 days a week and raced triathlons.

Good luck, Journey!! Please be assured that your pre-op fitness will be a big plus......and rest on your laurels and lots of down pillows for awhile.

One of my expanders had to be replaced; muscle pulled away. This has delayed replacement surgery, and I fear it's my own fault for wanting to be "normal" a little soon.

Walk in the beautiful Atlanta late summer and leave the heavy lifting for the moment!

Come back soon and we'll cheer you on!

Journey,

I hope your surgery went well. I had a lidocaine pain pump for 5 days after my surgery, and so I had very little discomfort. My plastic surgeon said to wait 4 weeks before doing any upper body work at the gym. Maybe I was too active because it took two weeks to get my drain removed. After one week I resumed walking. Just a slow walk- I walk at the beach and my walking route is 2 miles. I am 8 weeks post op and I am back at the gym. I started going back at 2 weeks- but did only lower body and the bike for some light aerobic work. I had a unilat. mast. with tissue expander placed on 7/9. At 4 weeks I did go back to upper body weights- but I used the lowest weight and went for more reps. I don't want to dislodge my expander or anything. I've increased my weights but I am still taking it easy and going for more reps rather than a higher weight. I'm back to jogging- but only 1 mile. Before sugery I only did 2 miles jogging 2 miles walking. I'm doing less but it is  because of working full time and 2 kids etc. -not the surgery.  As far as exercise and the tissue expander- it feels weird to me- doing just everyday things like wiping down the kitchen counters- I'm hoping that goes away when they do the exchange. I'm sure you know by now- but there is very little blood loss for this type of surgery.

Good on you, Journey! On with the rest of it now!

I had ARDS in February (7 days in an induced coma). When I woke up I couldn't pull a tissue out of a box. I had to learn to walk again. THEN I had to learn to walk with shoes on!! My muscle wastage was unbelievable.

8 months later I am much stronger and walking heaps. I finish chemo on Sept 28th. Now, I tell you all this because you sound like a good person to ask: The muscles on the bottom/back of the upper arms..see! I don't even know what they're called..how can I get those back? They are so saggy and lady-of-a-certain-age looking. They were not like that before. I don't do the gym thing, but I have some hand-weights at home. Any tips? BTW when 'I woke up', I started by pumping an unopened fruitbox drink. 250g ! How funny is that! 

Thanks journey!

When I say 'workout' I'm talking small! I haven't had advice re training and the big "L", but from what I've read the advice is to 'go slowly'. I might find it hard to get really good L advice here in Tasmania, but I will get it from SOMEWHERE before I start up. I'm in pretty good shape I guess..14lbs o/w (since all this cancer shite/chemo carousel started), bit short of breath..not too bad..and no other stuff like diabetes. I walk 5-7kms through the bush (complete with little hills and some rocks to scramble up) and still look for more. Spring is coming here, so I will LOVE your fitness tips!

Might be a good little extra thread to start. XX