Swimming Flat on One Side?

I love to swim, used to swim laps often. Are you actually swimming laps after a UMX? I was in the pool about a week ago and did breast stroke and back stroke but a little nervous to do laps. That chest muscle was strong before but I guess I don't want to encourage LE or anything. I have had no signs of LE and surely do not want to get started.

I'm sorry I'm a AA cup in my remaining breast. I can camouflage my missing one pretty good. I work out and run with no bra at all, slightly lopsided. You present an interesting dilemma. My lap swimming bathing suits were alway very flat and tight, no cup at all. speedousa.com has some interesting choices.

Good luck and congratulations on being so active!

I think you sports bra idea might work. I had a BMX, so I go flat. Just chiming in to encourage you to get back to swimming. I had surgery 10months ago. I can't remember when I started swimming again(maybe 2 months after surgery). The first time, I was only able to swim 1 lap(might have just been scared). Swimming really helped me get my mobility/range of motion back. Now with my plantar faciitis keeping me from running, I really depend on it. The leg cramps from Tamox sometimes cause me to cut my swim short.

I swim freestyle, with kicking & pulling sets. I had already started swimming again when I found informationn that freestyle might not be the best following MX. I never had PT & my BS thinks it' OK.    CLC-  Do you have LE?    I not not sure I'd swim laps if I had LE, I'd have to reearch it further. Hope you're back to swimming soon & glad your running is going well. 

I love swimming and can feel it really stretch out my chest muscles. I think it helps to prevent scar tissue from forming too. And I have my best sleeps after a swim.

Hi, All, this topic caught my eye as I had a unimx too and I credit swimming with saving me (mentally and physically) post op.



I have always been a swimmer. Swim about a kilometer or a k and a half a few times a week. I had my mx at the end of July and in late aug I was back in the water. I have not had any problem w LE or range of motion.



I'm an ample c cup on the other side and not wearing a prosthesis while I swim bothered me more. Felt unbalanced and also just too self conscious. I bought three Lands End mastectomy suits (love them) and a prosthesis that I use just for swimming. This is fine, simple.

Hope this is helpful. Keep swimming!

Shari

This is my first visit back to the site in many months. My UMX surgery went very well and I needed no further treatment. I was back to yoga in 10 days (being very careful but I’m sure that the twists helped me to break scar tissue loose from my ribs) and back in the pool in about 6 weeks (had to wait for the incision to heal).

I came back and found this topic which is right where I am now. I am DD on the other side and have been going flat with a Lands End high neck aqua suit which has been working out very well. Recently, though, it has started to pull and dig into the MX side and is getting uncomfortable. The same thing is happening with my bras. So much so that I am actually contemplating having another MX on the good side. (I had considered reduction but when my surgeon described it I decided it was way too complicated.)

So I am looking for another solution besides a MX and am here. I will definitely research the underarmor sports bra (is this a brand name? Just googled it and see it is). CLC – which model did you buy? Does it pull against your flat side or is it comfortable for both sides? I was left with a slight puff above the scar next to my armpit and this is the area that is getting sore.

Like you CLC I have found that going flat on one side has been a non issue for both me and, it appears, those around me. I was afraid that I would feel unbalanced but this has not been the case. I far prefer flat to the prosthesis which I got early on. I’ll probably be donating it and the bras to someone else.

Susan

Well, I bought an Ahh bra yesterday and will see today if it is an improvement.  At first glance it looks like it will not be very supportive but will at least lie flat on the MX side.  Since I don't do bouncy stuff anymore it might work.

Susan