Push ups after reconstruction?

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muska
muska Member Posts: 1,195
edited July 2014 in Working on Your Fitness

Hello Ladies

I am post bilateral mastectomy with reconstruction (implants) and completed radiation  about five weeks ago. I am back to gym but I am not sure whether I should be doing any push up exercises. I remember my PS saying soon after initial surgery no push ups are allowed, however I do not recall whether she said it was forever or temporary. Are there any limitations after reconstruction with implants?

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  • farmerlucy
    farmerlucy Member Posts: 3,985
    edited June 2014

    I have no limitations, and pushups are ok. 

    I've also wondered if giving the pecs a good workout helps with the capsular contracture. I've never seen mention of it though. 

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  • odie16
    odie16 Member Posts: 1,882
    edited June 2014

    I am two years out and do modified pushups regularly. I didn't do them until after I reached one year post surgery. Just be careful, start slow and listen to your body as needed.

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  • Basia
    Basia Member Posts: 790
    edited June 2014

    I started doing modified ( on knees) pushups about a year after surgery.  It took a while to get there, but in time they came.  I found ring rows to be very helpful in working the pecs and lats which transferred over well to the pushups.  Pulling action is easier than pushing. 

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  • dragomirova
    dragomirova Member Posts: 69
    edited June 2014

    Dear Ladies,

    About how long did it take to resume other normal activity and exercise?

    Best to all

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  • Basia
    Basia Member Posts: 790
    edited June 2014

    What do you consider normal activities? For me normal activities included olympic weightlifting which I started doing about a month after chemo ended because the port was in my way.  This would be about 6-7 months after surgery.

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  • odie16
    odie16 Member Posts: 1,882
    edited June 2014

    I started walking 1-5 miles per day dependent on how I felt within one week of surgery and held off on any other exercise until my drains came out which was about one month later. Then eased back into various exercises since. 

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  • Piano-girl
    Piano-girl Member Posts: 59
    edited June 2014

    My PS said to start slowly 6 months after implant exchange to work pec - push-ups etc...

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  • wandawoman
    wandawoman Member Posts: 25
    edited June 2014

    Hi Muska

    I had no problems returning to the gym for a run during my reconstruction process (several weeks after TE's were placed). However, I didn't try planking until around 6 weeks or so after the exchange and that was too early. I have tried twice to do planks and work with weights since my last surgery and each time I have had pain for a few days afterward. I decided that for now I will just enjoy the runs and the stair climber.

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  • NatsFan
    NatsFan Member Posts: 3,745
    edited June 2014

    Hi Muska - If you had any nodes out at all, you're at an increased risk for triggering lymphedema.  Doing body-weight work like pushups before you've built back the strength in your arms, shoulders, etc. could trigger LE.  You may want to start with wall pushups and other light workouts, going easy on the arms and shoulders to begin, and slowly work up from there.  Trying to do too much too soon can cause all kinds of issues, including LE. Here's info on developing a safe exercise program after b/c surgery from the Step Up Speak Out LE info website:

    http://www.stepup-speakout.org/Handout%20doc%20for...

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  • SchoolCounselor
    SchoolCounselor Member Posts: 452
    edited July 2014

    Hi

    I just met with my PS post permanent reconstruction. He said no weight lifting for at least a year I was lifting heavy weights prior to my surgery. When i mentioned push ups, he shook his head sadly at me. I have also developed lymphedema and so I literally have to start with 1 pound weights. My husband who is a heavy lifter said to me we just have to find my new normal.

    A life without lifting weights is pretty hard to wrap my head around right now but keeping my lymphedema managed is the priority.

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  • muska
    muska Member Posts: 1,195
    edited July 2014

    Thank you all for your feedback! I started light exercising and am gradually increasing the weights. Started with 3 -4 lb weights, now use 5 lb weights. I listen to my body and don't do things that don't feel right. I definitely feel much better since I started exercises for the arms and upper body. Went to a yoga class last week and felt fine there too, I just didn't do side and back planks on the arms and used the elbows instead.

    I remember coming across some research abstracts that indicated that moderate lift weighting if done correctly actually helps with lymphedema. I will post the link here if I find it. But generally speaking, there are so many risks after the treatments we all went through that if we were to eliminate them all there would be little left to do or enjoy.  

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