Gym Workout After Mastectomy

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kpaq1327
kpaq1327 Member Posts: 1
edited June 2014 in Working on Your Fitness

Hello Everyone!  I had 26 lymph nodes removed in October (oh yeah.. and my right breast..) and am nervous about lymph edema but I NEED to start working out.  I was told that lifting weights is not an option for me but I need some upper body exercise.  Does anyone know of anything??

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  • Abbey11
    Abbey11 Member Posts: 335
    edited January 2010

    Are you a swimmer?  Swimming has been the one exercise that I was able to do post surgeries and throughout my expansions.  I was told by a physical therapist that swimming is a good exercise for those at risk for lymphedema because the pressure from the water helps circulation.  You can get a great upper body workout swimming.  Good luck!

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  • mom_of_2
    mom_of_2 Member Posts: 347
    edited January 2010

    I had a bilateral with recon 23 nodes removed. I was told no lifting over 10lbs on right side. I slowly started lifting weight in October and am now back to full pre-surgery workouts. I had a surgical seroma and lymphedema issues after axillary dissection but with time and a lot of patients it has resolved. I do have a compression sleeve and gauntlet to wear when working out if I feel fullness. Docs are thrilled with my progress.

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  • LizR
    LizR Member Posts: 330
    edited January 2010

    I had a right mastectomy and a large number of lymph nodes removed.  I was very fit before the surgery and was back in the gym about a week after 6 mos of chemo / radiation.  I started VERY SLOW.  Now (5 years later) I lift weights about 3x a week - but I keep the weights at about 10 lbs or so for the upper body (and use more weight for my lower body).  Like mom-of-2 - I was told 10 lbs was OK.   I also find modified (bent knee) push ups to be very good for toning (again, I started very slow - like 5 at first).  I have been very fortunate not to have any lymphedema issues at all.   

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  • OtraVez
    OtraVez Member Posts: 82
    edited January 2010

    Whatever you do, don't wait to get back to the gym .  .  . the lymphedema scare kept me away from the weight room waaay to long, and I've lost more strength (and flexibility!) in my shoulder than I realized.  After a few months, I realized that my biggest fear, however, was walking around in the locker room.  I used to be one of those who didn't bother with a towel or any other cover up, but I had two breasts then - even though one of them was kinda funny looking before they cut it off. :)  I had no problems being bald during chemo, but now I find that I'm avoiding the after work rush like the plague.   

    Did anyone else go through this?  

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  • sbmolee
    sbmolee Member Posts: 1,085
    edited January 2010

    Not sure how long ago your surgery was but last surgery was Mar 09.  Bi Lat mast, SNB, TE's, exchange, nips and tatts.  I went back to the gym off and on thru most of it.  PS said to would to stay out of pool and sauna for potential risk of infection if incisions are not totally healed.  I am now back to pre-BC weight lifting and cardio. I do not do any pectorial muscle exercises. 

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  • janincanada
    janincanada Member Posts: 258
    edited January 2010

    I started during chemo with the elyptical, using my arms tonensure that I got some upper body.  My onc told me to stay away from weights.....there was a potential problem with your port.  My port was wonky from day 1 and I didn't want any other issues.  I swam, did the elyptical and rowed during chemo plus I did Yoga. I have found that I am am maintaining a nice muscle tone doing Yoga and cardio.  Swimming was awesome and I am looking forward to getting back to it now since I'm 8 weeks post prophylactic mast and TE reconstruction.

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  • bookart
    bookart Member Posts: 564
    edited February 2010

    Thanks for the posts - I hope to start lifting small weights soon.  I'm very out of shape, and want to get back into shape.  I'll wear my sleeve for lifting and other strenuous activities - anything an absolute no-no?

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  • x-raygirl
    x-raygirl Member Posts: 373
    edited April 2010

    My dmx was 3/23/10 and I still have 1 drain in.  I was doing boot camp 3x/wk and some running.  I am so tired!!!  My TE are so tight and I can't believe how stiff I am.  I really don't want to lose muscle tone and turn to mush!  It looks like I'll be starting chemo in 2 wks or so.  If I'm this tired now-2 1/2 wks after surgery, how will I ever muster the energy once chemo starts?  It sounds like swimming is a great all round exercise - but I don't have access to a pool.  My rt. armpit is also sore from removal of the nodes.  Any words of encouragement out there or advice?  I want to stay fit!!!

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  • London-Virginia
    London-Virginia Member Posts: 851
    edited April 2010

    XRay!!! you are being a bit hard on yourself!!  It takes quite a while to get over surgery, but don't let it worry you too much - just try to be patient.  I think swimming will be out for a while as you will need to be very careful about catching any infections - your chemo team should explain this in better detail.

    For me, I stuck with doing my 10,000 steps every day pretty well come-what-may, and I am so glad I did.  Although walking seems quite sedate, it keeps your basic muscles in decent fettle and is reasonably aerobic. This last week I have gone back to the gym and am doing light workouts and using the treadmill at max incline.  I firmly believe that the walking has helped with warding off the worst of fatigue.

     Be kind to yourself - this is a journey which requires pacing. (I speak here as one of the least patient people on earth.........).  For me, I am glad I stuck with basic stuff and managed to push through a few barriers because it has, in a modest way, paid off.

    Before I went back to the gym for weight training, I hadn't realised I might be scared by it.  Actually, I had forgotten that if it had not been for the gym I wouldn't have noticed what I thought was a pec muscle injury which I went to get checked out only to discover................. 

    So I am a bit nervy at the mo, but it is only the first couple of weeks.  This too shall pass. 

    Anyway, very good luck to all and remember (as I do (thinks : is this an excuse?!!) any exercise is better than none!

    xxxxxx. 

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