Post mastectomy exercising - need some insight please!

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kirstenlmrea
kirstenlmrea Member Posts: 2
edited February 2016 in Working on Your Fitness

Hey there. This is my first time posting on this forum. It'll also be the first time I've ever reached out on any kind of breast cancer forum and I gotta say it's scary and exciting at the same time.

I am just 2 weeks out of my mastectomy surgery (Dec. 21 was the date). I have a tissue expander and also had my lymph nodes biopsied. I have to say, I feel great physically. I have some mild discomfort and itching in the area but I have tons of energy. I've been out every day walking and I generally get about 7-8 hours of sleep every night. I have read the forums on Lymphedema and the risks versus benefits of exercising, and I'm a little bit torn on what to do. I have every intention of speaking with my doctor about at my follow up appointment. I'm just curious if anyone has any insight based on their experiences. I want to start exercising my lower body. Just some basic squats, maybe some pilates core workouts. Just to get my blood flowing again, strengthen my muscles and improve my mental state. I am though nervous about some of the things I've read about exercising and risks of lympedema, but most of what I've seen is related to upper body workouts.

If anyone can share their experiences with this I would love to hear from you.

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  • LisaAlissa
    LisaAlissa Member Posts: 1,092
    edited January 2016

    I can't speak to what will be best for you. But I'm glad you've waited until you're two weeks out, and you read all the Lymphedema stuff on not raising arms above shoulders for first two weeks to allow lymph systems to heal during their very limited healing period.

    I did return to Pilates. If you are (or can) work with a Pilates studio, you might want to look for someone who has been certified by the "Pink Ribbon Program." One of my Pilates instructors (who helped my modify my usual practice while I was recovering) is now certified through them, although she wasn't when I was going through post-surgery recovery.

    You certainly wouldn't want to be doing "hundreds" right now!

    Best wishes,

    LisaAlissa

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  • MsVeryDenseBreasts
    MsVeryDenseBreasts Member Posts: 100
    edited January 2016

    Kirsten, my docs did not want me doing (for instance) hovers or planks until I was at least 3 weeks out so I did V-sits with my back straight and my feet anywhere from a foot to a couple of inches off the ground. It actually forced me to ensure my form was correct so I would not strain my upper torso, pecs, arms in any fashion. I did that after BMX. I'm now a week out from exchange surgery and I started doing V-sits a few days after surgery. I'm also doing all my usual lower body (leg, foot, ankle) exercises I do to maintain ballet agility and strength. Good luck.

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  • Lovetheoutdoors
    Lovetheoutdoors Member Posts: 1
    edited February 2016

    Hi, I had a single mastectomy in December with no reconstruction. Still trying to figure out how to exercise in terms of what sports bra and what kind of support needed. Last week after zumba class I noticed bruising around the incision area, which has spread out over the last few days. Has anyone experienced this before? I am wondering if one of the seams of the sports bra rubbed the area. Difficult to tell because it's still so numb. I am waiting to hear back from the doctor's office. I'd welcome any advice on sports bras, or how to work out with a single mastectomy and no reconstruction.

    Many thanks!

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