Running during reconstruction/expander fills?

It is so inspirational to read all these recent posts about exercise.  I just had my exchange surgery 2 weeks ago (bilateral), and am itching to get going with exercise again.  I was in the process of losing weight, motivated by upcoming exchange surgery, but then came Thanksgiving and now 2 weeks of no aerobics along with Holiday goodies and my weight is ballooning again.  At this point, I am allowed to start exercising, but no running for a week or two.  I thought I'd start on the treadmill and move to the cross trainer, but I am a little hesitant because I don't want to do any damage to my lovely new silicone breasts.  I found climbing a hill on the sidewalk today produced some surgical pain, although I wasn't wearing a jog bra at the time.  I'd love info from anyone going through this stage.  I know when I have nipples done in a month there will be restrictions again.  I'm looking forward to getting this all behind me and getting back to the running and full out exercising!!! 

Julie!  I can relate.  I think it takes longer to recover from the anesthesia than anything else.  I am able to go 3 miles now but it is very slow!  I do not know how in the world I am going to finish this tri in April but I don't care much about the time now as I do just finishing!!!!

Hey ladies,

It's my b-day today!  Before BC I might've been a little sad about turning 45, now I see it as a welcome milestone and hope that it is truly the middle age or less of my life...

I ran for 5 miles w/out stopping a couple of days ago!!!!!  And a few more times since...

I think that the 10k in Jan is do-able....can't wait but it is gonna be COLD!!!

Happy New Year All!!!!

Julie

Julie, Happy Birthday!!!  I am turning 45 this year, as well.  I just got back from skiing.  It was 18 degrees!!! brrrr.....no problem with "the girls"!!!  They were pretty cold for a while when I got back though.  

What type of running bra are you using?  I am just using my old under armor from before BC.  Just curious because I am sweating a lot in my chest (way more than I used to) and it causes this strange rash.  Are you having a similar problem?

Happy New Year, Sue and everyone!!!  Let's hope for a better year in 2010!!!! 

Sue, thanks for the very kind words!  It was an absolutely wonderful b-day - hubby and I took off work, slept in late, went to our favorite spa for a couples massage, had a great dinner - it was awesome!  I was so very touched by your words, thanks for caring!

Cheri - I cannot wait to ski again - we are talking about doing a family ski vacation next x-mas - none of the kids have ski'd before and it's been SOOO many years for my hubby and me.  Regarding the sports bra - I just use the same old ones I used before BC - I actually like my old ones that are worn in and a little more stretched out now to the newer ones that I have bought since the surgeries and I only use one.  But my implants are small and so this works for me.  I also did get a rash myself on my chest but it was when I was massaging everything with the cocoa butter....that clogged everything up and I have since stopped that.

All - It has meant so much to me to have this forum to come to and share and get feedback from during this challenging time!  You all are awesome and I hope that the new year is the best ever!!  

Thank you so much for being there!!!!

Julie

Cheri,

Best wishes for tomorrow!  What a great way to start 2010!  Let us know how it goes. 

Julie

Hi Julie!

No, I have never done it but I sponsored a buddy who did it.  I asked her a lot of questions about it, too because I thought it would be a lot of fun to do for another one of my friends (who had BC-little did I know it would be ME one day with the BC) anyway- she said the hardest part about all of it was sleeping.  She said she was glad to have done it but that it was a one time thing and that she would never do it again because camping isn't her thing.  She was alone and didn't walk with any friends.  I hope that helps a little at least.

BTW my 5K on New Years Day was great- had so much fun and I am so glad I did it!!!  Still having a hard time breathing- not as good or as fast as I used to be?!  My time was about 3 minutes slower than my PR.  I was OK with that!! 

I returned to running a few weeks after my mastectomy/expander implants and continued until about a month ago when I had a respiratory virus and then had my permanent implant surgery.  I still haven't returned to my pre-BC fitness level, but my goal is to do so by the end of this year.  Following the mastectomy/expanders, I just wore my running bras I had used pre-BC - no problems.  Those babies didn't move!  I don't know how the permanent silicone implants will work.  I hope to be released to run again this week.