When can I start exercise again

KittysArea51 · May 2008

KittysArea51 · May 2008

Hi all,

Sorry if this has been covered prior, I did a search but was not able to locate an answer both here or via an internet search. My question is when can I go back to running, boxing, Bootcamp, basically exercise. My Surgeon said I am not to do anything, no housework, nothing strenuous for the first couple of weeks, then slowly build up. Expect a 6 to 8 week wait before going back to my normal exercise program.

I had a U/S WLI lumpectomy last Monday, which is quite minor considering what most of you girls have gone thru. Appears to be healing nicely, the tissue is alittle sore, only a very small part of the stitched area weeping minimal. The area does make a funny sound - you know, like if you had a water bottle in your hand & its part empty, the sound it makes. Surprised Anyway, I feel good, I'm just frustrated & want to start exercising again, but don't want to jeopardize the surgery & do something silly that would mean I have to wait longer. Frown I do have a follow up appoint with Surgeon on Monday, to get the results, but no point asking her as she will only say 6 to 8 weeks of doing nothing.

In your opinion - what exercises do you think I should be able to start doing?

Thanks heaps

Kitty

Jross · May 2008

I'd suggest doing what the surgeon says...build up slowly...run short distances, weight train but go slowly. I had 9 monthos of treatment and went back to the gym about a month after radiation. I started off slowly and now I am in better shape than I was before cancer! I ran a half marathon last fall and am training for another race this summer. I'm 60 and fit.

JMJ532 · May 2008

Wow, Jross,

I can't believe you are in better shape now! Congrats on running a half marathon! You are my inspiration!

JMJ

KittysArea51 · May 2008

Wow Jross, congrats on a fantastic effort. Laughing

and thanks for your help re: getting back into training

twirlgirl · May 2008

Kitty, that slooshing sound inside is fluid from swelling...which is a sign you are doing too much. the boob really needs to be immobile and secure to heal. I also had a lumpectomy in Dec and I had that happen...freaked me out. The doc said keep up the ice packs on the boob 4-5 times a day. 20 min on at a time, and really, really rest. no exercise, nothing that moves the boob around. keep a supportive soft bra on and be easy with yourself.

you don't want to stretch the scar and you want permanent healing. so even though you are anxious to return to exercise, think of this healing time as an investment in a better outcome for your boob. when you do get back to exercise, double your sport bras and make sure the boob is not moving hardly at all.

Your surgeon is right to be conservative on this issue.

best wishes...you'll make it!

KittysArea51 · May 2008

Thanks twirlgirl Smile

I really appreciate your comments, now I understand I will slow down alittle more. I do like to know the 'why' behind things rather than just being told not to do it.

Kitty x

AnneW · May 2008

It's really hard to take things slow. For me, exercise makes me feel "normal", and breast cancer takes "normal" away from us. I fight to get back to working out, and on occasion, have harmed myself a bit by being overzealous and doing too much too soon.

We need time to heal internally. We're more fragile than we can see. Those internal sutures have to set, form good scar tissue, or risk being ruptured.

A good support bra will help when you start back running. Lifting weights way lighter than your norm is the way to go.

I don't know about any "magic" length of time to wait. Less than a month after my bilat with expanders, I was in PT doing very controlled stretching and strength training. At the 6-7 week point, I was back in the gym on the climbing wall, two weeks ahead of my personal schedule.

I just had my exchange done one week ago. I was feeling good, so I did a little treadmill (with my post-op bra) and very mild stretching one day, and a spinning class (nothing wrong with my legs!) and a bit of stretching the next day, and I've been suffering with never pain ever since. The pain was there post-op, but I aggravated it by thinking I was healed enough, when obviously I was not.

It doesn't pay to be stubborn (pigheaded, as my hubby would say!) Patience is a virtue here, and there's plenty of time ahead to get back in shape. One opportunity to heal well. (Can you tell I'm trying to convince myself, as well as you??) Just pay attention to your body's signals and go way slower than you think you should!

Anne

mrsb · May 2008

I just ordered this book from Amazon and how i wish it had been written when i had my surgeries 5 plus years ago."the breast cancer survivors fitness plan writen by Carolyn m. Kaelin , MD., MPH. it details in depth expectations from all surgeries, pro and cons from all types of reconstruction and detailed excercise paln after...All the best Mrs B

AnneW · May 2008

I have seen that book at Barnes&Noble. It's very good!

Anne

larousse · May 2008

Kitty, I also had a lumpectomy and felt good soon after and started cardio (spinning) within a couple of weeks. I would avoid running because of the giggling. I am postponing upper body weights because I am doing rads and feel I shouldn't stress the muscles in the area until later. That is just my own judgement, nobody told me not to do it.

The swooshing sound is seroma, I had that as well, your surgeon must have told you that already. Just fluid to fill the empty space. When you can start massaging that area it will help getting things moving and reabsorbed. The seroma was painfull for me until I started the massages.

KittysArea51 · May 2008

Anne,

This is exactly how I feel. Exercise to me is an important & normal part of every day. You get to a high fitness level & then something like this comes along and interrupts your progress. So annoying. Thanks for your comment Laughing I haven't done a run yet, still just walking, doing a 10k one today, lots of hills so will get the heart rate up.

Larousse -

I keep forgetting to ask about the shooooshing sound, the sound has almost gone away now, my surgeon (although the best in the area) she is not much of a talker or explainer - hence searching the internet to sort out my queries & I suppose as I had never been to hospital or had a medical condition, all this medical stuff is foreign to me. This forum however is a great source of info.

Thanks again girls for all your helpful comments. Much appreciated.

Kitty

xx

HKitty71 · May 2008

I could really use all of you all for suggestions on what I can do right now.

I had a lumpectomy and SNB on the 25th and well I did develop the seroma and boy when it filled up it filled up. Poor thing actually sloshed. 3 days after surgery it drained and how. Still draining now. So wearing pads and shelf bras.

Any suggestions on besides working at the computer. I really would like to get some muscle tone going before the mastectomy that seems to be the next step.

AnneW · May 2008

When is your mastectomy?

Full body cardio has been fun for me--like step, or cardio kick. But yoga is great for toning, as is Pilates.

I work with a trainer, who designed my program around climbing, so lots of core, legs, and upper body stuff, but not with traditional hand held weights.

This month's Shape magazine has some excellent things in it. Check it out.

When all else fails, or when one's chest has been butchered, put on the shoes and just walk, walk, walk!

Anne

HKitty71 · May 2008

Thanks, I will probably find out tomorrow when it will be scheduled. You know the meet and greet with the PS and his team.

I think I have that issue around here somewhere and I will revisit, seem to remember marking some pages.

When can I start exercise again

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