Weight Gain after Chemo

Snooks · August 2010

I was never what would be considered thin, and I always had huge breasts, that is until I had a double mastectomy in the past four years (one because I had b/c and the other because I wanted the second breast removed),

During chemo, I lost 43 pounds, however, after my treatment was over, I gained all the weight back and then some. But what really looks awful is that most of the weight gain is in my biceps. They are huge now and I can no longer wear my normal clothes.

Has this happened to anyone else? Could it be that because the fat deposits are no longer in my breasts, that they have accumulated in my arms. I know it sounds absurd, but no one can give me a reason for this.

I hope someone out there can help me.

Snooks

o2bhealthy · August 2010

Snooks - could you have lymphedema in your arms??? Do you have any discomfort or numbness in your arms? If most of the size in just in your biceps, I would ask for a referral to an LE therapist. There are several terrific threads under the Lymphedema after surgery thread with links on how to find a certified therapist. I would copy and paste some links but my computer at work will not allow me too...

I hope it is not LE because it is not a 'swell' club to join, but it could explain the increased size in your biceps.

((HUGS))

Claire_in_Seattle · August 2010

Dear Snooks.....

What a bummer with the weight. I would first get checked for lymphedema, but assuming you don't have it, the next step is to pump some iron.

I have fit, toned, and defined upper arms because I work out. If I didn't do upper body work, I would be much more fit on the lower half.....not a good thing. This is because I do a lot of cycling.

Weight gain is very sneaky, and I know this from experience. You lose muscle tone, then the weight piles on. So when you rebuild your muscle tone, you will eventually lose weight. This also stokes the metabolism.

As we get older, our upper bodies need exercise or strange things start to happen in places such as our upper arms. This is true even for ladies who don't get breast cancer.

BTW...upper arms are a lot easier than abs. Have tamed those via lots of crunches on my exercise ball. But they are sneaky.....so I have to watch them. Right now, they are doing asI tell them. Good luck. - Claire

lago · August 2010

I haven't even started treatment and I have skinny arms… but the tricepts are flabby. I've been trying to work out for the last several months. It's been hard. My abs and bicepts on the other hand look great. Go figure. I'm 49 and peri menopausal.

I do both strength and aerobic training 4-6 times a week for 1-1.5 hour sessions.

Weight Gain after Chemo

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