Scuba Diving Post-Mastectomies

I didn't have radical mastecomties(meaning I didn't have chest muscle removed) but I did skip reconstruction and had both chemo and radiation.  I didn't dive for about a year after chemo....it took me that long to get my energy back.  But then again I only cold water dive and my steel tank weighs about at least 15lbs, plus I use about 20lbs of weights.  If I were able to dive in warm water with an Al tank I probably would of felt comfortable sooner. 

I did a bit of research and learned that backpacks are a potential problem for causing/exacerbating lymphadema because they push on the lymph nodes under the arm and near the neck.   My original bc had integrated weights around the waist.  To get the weight off my shoulders I got a new non-integrated weight bc and now use a weight belt.  Since I only had nodes out of one side I simply unlatch my bc on that side as I walk in and out of the water so as I don't put weight on my nodes.  (under water I am neutral so it doesn't matter).   My diving is pretty much cold water in a dry suit, and it turns out my dry suite acts like a giant compression sleeve since I don't have latex gaskets at the wrists.  If I had lymph nodes removed from both sides I would carry (or have someone else carry) the tank/bc into the water and put it in the water while it was inflated so I didn't put weight on my nodes.

 I have prothesis, but haven't seen the point in wearing them diving.  But I can't imagine they would be affected and in fact recall an article in a dive magazine about how diving with implants was fine. 

I would think that the water pressure from diving would be good for lyphadema?   I haven't done any research and hadn't thought about it before...but osmotis pressure should reduce swelling...which makes me wonder---do they use water therapy to treat LE?  Obviously I do not suffer from this (and hopefully never will).    

Are you still diving? I had a mastectomy 11/12.  No positive lymph nodes.  I have received two treatments of cytoxan and taxtere and feel fine.  will get a total of six treatments.  My energy level is very high.  I would like to dive again.  Any suggestions?  I will get any tests done that are suggested before I dive again. What chemo did you receive? diving is something positive that I can look forward to.

Thanks.