Running with tissue expanders

churley · June 2010

I am 48 and was an active runner until diagnosed last Nov '09. I have not run since but am getting anxious to get back into shape and especially running. I have had a bilateral - mastectomy and currently have tissue expanders. I have constant pain which is slowly subsiding. Is there anyone with similar circumstances and if so, when did you start to run again? How did the running effect the expanders? Pain? etc. Thanks

limegreen · June 2010

Hi Churley,

I had bmx with tissue expanders in January 2010 and got my last fill 2 weeks ago. I am sorry to hear you have constant pain but hope it continues to subside. I have always been active and not really a runner but like to walk and power walk. I have been trying to get back in shape and have been walking, power walking and getting into a little jogging. Power walking and the little bit of jogging I have been doing has not brought me any pain. My new boobs do not bounce and I do not feel the surgery area when I am power walking or jogging.

If you are up for it, maybe you should give it a try and see how it goes. Try just a little bit to start and build yourself up depending upon how you are feeling. Your body will let you know the limitations.

rockwell_girl · June 2010

I think I waited 8 weeks after my mastectomy/te were places ( surgery Feb 20 2008 )

after that I ran and bikes (biked after 6 weeks)

I even waited to get my te out until Oct so I could be active all summer and do the races I like to do

because after your exchange you will have to wait another 6 weeks

churley · June 2010

Thanks for the feedback. I am at 4 weeks post surgery so hopefully in a couple more weeks the discomfort will have subsided. I will try the power walking to start. I need to do something to try to drop the 20 pounds I have put on thanks to the steroids.

Limegreen - how did you figure out your recurrence score?? They are wanting me to do radiation now because I had tiny tumor cells in first lymph node after a stain test. No one can give me any statistics - even the internet has not been too helpful.

limegreen · June 2010

Hi there churley,

I had some discomfort, mainly tightness, in the first weeks post surgery but it faded with time. I was also anxious to get up and move around and while I felt good, the first brisk walk I took backfired on me a little bit. I did too much too soon and found myself breathless on the couch. The docs said because of the long surgery that eventhough I was in good shape physically, the trauma of the surgery itself along with the anesthesia still affects the body for a time afterwards. The next time I tried it I took it slower for a shorter period of time and felt good and did a little bit more each time after that.

The recurrence score is from the Oncatype DX test that the oncologist orders. It is a 21-gene test done on the tumor that predicts the probability of recurrence. It is typically done on bc that is ER/PR positive. Your oncologist can help you to know if the test would benefit you.

livelife · June 2010

Hi,

I have been experimenting with getting back to running. After my right sided mastectomy with TE in Sept 09 I waited 10 weeks before I started running gently on a treadmill. Then with my left mastectomy with TE, which I had done April 2010 I only waited 5 weeks, I started with outdoor running, about 3 miles, which I have built up to 6 miles over the last two weeks.

I am not doing any upper body weights.

I try and do 5 hours moderate exercise a week, as I read that it can increase our survival by 50%.

Natalie xx

Running with tissue expanders

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