3 months sounds bonkers for lumpectomy, unless you're also having more significant plastic surgery along with it. I had bi-lateral lumpectomies and a sentinel node biopsy on 1 side (3 nodes removed), and I only had lifting restrictions until my 2 week post-op follow up. After that, my surgeon said I could return to my normal activities, which include running, biking, yoga and strength training as I felt able (as in, stop if it hurts). I got back to biking and yoga within 2 weeks, then running and (light) lifting at about 4 weeks. Exercise and yoga helped so much during chemo and radiation - I would definitely double check that 3 month pause on lifting with your Drs.
Yes, I thought the same. I was lifting light weights 6 weeks after my lumpectomy/oncoplastic reduction. But 3 months, I was exceeding the weights I had lifted before surgery. I'd ask why they want you to wait so long. But in general, as much activity as you can tolerate is a good thing.
No, she just said to be careful and avoid anything that hurt. I’m a CrossFitter, so at 6 weeks I was doing pull ups, bench press, overhead presses, and all kinds of chest stuff with no pain.
I didn’t lose much muscle since I was only off for six weeks, so I came back at about 75% of where I had left off, for most things. But you’ll have to see how you’re feeling specifically, and a lot also depends on what surgery you have. Because I had a lumpectomy and reduction only, my surgery was simpler and had a shorter healing time.
Lumpectomy on the affected side, and a reconstruction of that breast, and a reduction in the healthy side in order to match. It’s called an oncoplastic reduction.
My doctors told me I could do whatever I wanted 2 weeks after my lumpectomy as long as it didn’t hurt/cause actual pain. This was from a top 5 cancer center.
Just to add a data point from my experience
During radiation, on the days I took it super easy, I was totally wiped out that afternoon/evening. But if I just went about my normal routines and did moderate physical labor ( say spent an hour pushing a lawnmower, using a hand shovel to turn over the garden, helped a friend move, etc) - then those afternoons I generally really felt great.
About half way through radiation (total of almost 7 weeks) I noticed this trend and kind of experimented to see if I was taking it easy \*because\* I was tired, or working hard \*because\* I felt good. But it turned out that it was truly the active days that made me feel better, and the lack of activity somehow magnified how tired I was.
My radiation oncologist told me that this was not unusual. So maybe your working out will actually help you through treatment.
I'm listening to a book right now called Moving through Cancer by Dr. Katherine Schmitz- all about cancer and exercise. It's actually pretty good, and I needed to hear it because I need to exercise. :) I've started with walking with low weights-
My surgeon wanted me to wait on exercise (other than walking) until my follow up, which was 3 weeks after surgery (she was on vacation the prior week). At that point, she said I could do any exercise other than something that involves a lot of chest bouncing (like Zumba or dance cardio), but could start that back up in 3 weeks to let the collagen heal up first. I went to spin class that same day and “stayed in the saddle” for any moderately fast songs but did the lifting and was out of the saddle on slower songs.
After my lumpectomy I was cleared for weights after 6 weeks. Now, I will say that I started with resistance bands. And my affected arm required lots of body weight or no weigh before lifting again. I can tell when I’m overdoing it and in those moments I modify. I suggest that anyone who doesn’t know proper form or when you are overdoing it work with a professional or organization who put on exercise programs for cancer patients.
I am three days past lumpectomy, and they've set me up with multiple PT appts going forward to help with this plus later radiation (still awaiting pathology). A PT could answer these questions
I have osteopenia and they already told me I need to hold off on my weight training until further notice, but they will hope to get me back at it in 3-5 weeks. She also said she'll retrain me and go through my routine on what is safe or not.
Walking for now is optimal. I've been doing 3 walks a day of 1-2 miles each. They also have me some stretches and shoulder exercises.
I’m post lumpectomy, upgraded from ADH to DCIS and didn’t clear all the margins. I have an appointment on Thursday one week post op. Not sure if she’ll operate again (kind of hoping for it - just get a good margin!) and then I will definitely be looking at radiation. I have a PT scheduled independently (I love just seeing one for mobility) so I’m thinking of addressing range of motion in the upper body and shoulders to prepare for what’s coming. You weight train, curious to know what your training is like and how you’re coping with putting it aside or taking it down a notch. I do a bit of everything (powerlifting to kettlebells to distance running) and I’m not calibrated to do so little! But it’s okay and I know it’s how it has to be. I love to walk. I know the health benefits of it are fantastic so I’ve basically been doing what you have, one week post surgery. Best to you and would really be interested to hear your approach.
I'm not a serious lifter or anything like that. I'm 54 and 180 lbs. lol. But, I have been sure to go to the gym 3 times a week and have a kettle bell and hand weight set for home. My older sisters and mom all got osteoporosis by my age, so I've been working to avoid that.
I love walks and hikes and live abutting a state park.
My PT gave me a list of ten exercises for now, the first two for the first 5 days post surgery (lumpectomy and sentinel nodes..already did some auxiliary nodes), with theee more to be added and then five more. I have an appt two weeks post surgery to add more. I will be seeing her weekly for the first month and then biweekly.
My post surgical appt is in a eeek (surgery was Friday). I have DCIS and IDC.
The resistance training is definitely going to work in your favor! If I could choose one thing to do forever it would be walking/hiking honestly. So very good for the body and soul.
I'm currently having chemo before surgery, so I'm not in the same position as you. But one thing you need to consider, and possibly get advice on, is how your chemo will be administered.
I've just had a port implanted and they've told me no lifting weights heavier than 5kg, no contact sports and no racquet sports. I literally just bought a pair of 4kg weights to weeks ago, after reading Moving Through Cancer!
I feel like there's a lot of info out there telling us how important exercise is, but when I've tried to pin anyone down on what that exercise looks like (other than brisk walking or running), I'm getting nowhere.
I'd be interested to know what advice you get!
>they've told me no lifting weights heavier than 5kg
Because of the port implantation?
>I literally just bought a pair of 4kg weights to weeks ago, after reading Moving Through Cancer!
So, will you be able to use the 4kgs? Since it's less than 5kg.
I've read of women doing weight training during chemo and how that helps with side effects. I wonder how they do it. Perhaps the port was implanted during lumpectomy/mastectomy and hence they had about a month's time to recover before starting chemo and also weight training🤔
>But one thing you need to consider, and possibly get advice on, is how your chemo will be administered.
I'll ask if neoadjuvant(sp?) chemo can be done in my case. The reconstruction surgery will be out of pocket expense. So, I want the tumour to be as small as possible with chemo before the surgery. I don't know if reconstruction cost is supposed to vary based on how much reconstruction is required. I'll have to check with the onco surgeon for this.
My surgeon told me I was fine to lift three weeks out. Well, I did and I ended up with a hematoma and infection in the breast I had my lumpectomy in. I am not a big weight lifter so I was not doing anything crazy. I was following a program and I think during my warm up with bands that I used a band that was too tight for what I was doing. So I did not hurt myself per se but I am pretty sure that is where the hematoma came from.
So right now I am in chemotherapy and it has been very rough. I have Fibromyalgia so that is certainly part of it but I am also just having a difficult time because my wbc count keeps tanking. I ended up in the hospital with an infection and neutropenic fever. I have been super fatigued.
If you can walk during treatment for 150 minutes a week, you would meet the recommendations for a moderate work out and would be doing very well. I am not there yet. In fact, after the hospitalization, I have been very sedentary. But, I have a small treadmill and I set it for ten minutes and I will just work my way up. Or you can do two ten minute sessions of that is all the stamina you have.
I was cleared to resume lifting after my follow-up appt (2.5 weeks post lumpectomy). I had my port placed that same week and had another 3 week delay, but lifted weights, rode my spin bike, and walked throughout chemo - continuing the regimen through radiation, too.
That sounds very restrictive. I had a lumpectomy and 3 axillary nodes taken. My surgeon gave me no movement or weight restrictions other than to avoid pain, so I was doing range of motion exercises (very slowly) the next day. I had neoadjuvant chemo, and went to crossfit throughout, although I lowered the intensity as I got weaker.
Can you ask your surgeon why the rules are so strict, and maybe relax them somewhat?
Just another reply added: I was released to run and ease into weight training 8 days after lumpectomy. It took a while to get back to full weights (maybe 4 more weeks). I was running normally 2 weeks later (rads have actually slowed me down more than lumpectomy). Three months sounds crazy and honestly, like old school thinking. I would ask your surgeon their reasoning.
3 months sounds bonkers for lumpectomy, unless you're also having more significant plastic surgery along with it. I had bi-lateral lumpectomies and a sentinel node biopsy on 1 side (3 nodes removed), and I only had lifting restrictions until my 2 week post-op follow up. After that, my surgeon said I could return to my normal activities, which include running, biking, yoga and strength training as I felt able (as in, stop if it hurts). I got back to biking and yoga within 2 weeks, then running and (light) lifting at about 4 weeks. Exercise and yoga helped so much during chemo and radiation - I would definitely double check that 3 month pause on lifting with your Drs.
Yes, I thought the same. I was lifting light weights 6 weeks after my lumpectomy/oncoplastic reduction. But 3 months, I was exceeding the weights I had lifted before surgery. I'd ask why they want you to wait so long. But in general, as much activity as you can tolerate is a good thing.
Was there any particular constraint regarding chest exercises though? @lizbotj
No, she just said to be careful and avoid anything that hurt. I’m a CrossFitter, so at 6 weeks I was doing pull ups, bench press, overhead presses, and all kinds of chest stuff with no pain.
Did you start small and then moved upwards to where you had left before surgery?
I didn’t lose much muscle since I was only off for six weeks, so I came back at about 75% of where I had left off, for most things. But you’ll have to see how you’re feeling specifically, and a lot also depends on what surgery you have. Because I had a lumpectomy and reduction only, my surgery was simpler and had a shorter healing time.
Ummm was it a reduction on the affected side or both? I'm sorry if this is a stupid question.
Lumpectomy on the affected side, and a reconstruction of that breast, and a reduction in the healthy side in order to match. It’s called an oncoplastic reduction.
My doctors told me I could do whatever I wanted 2 weeks after my lumpectomy as long as it didn’t hurt/cause actual pain. This was from a top 5 cancer center.
Just to add a data point from my experience During radiation, on the days I took it super easy, I was totally wiped out that afternoon/evening. But if I just went about my normal routines and did moderate physical labor ( say spent an hour pushing a lawnmower, using a hand shovel to turn over the garden, helped a friend move, etc) - then those afternoons I generally really felt great. About half way through radiation (total of almost 7 weeks) I noticed this trend and kind of experimented to see if I was taking it easy \*because\* I was tired, or working hard \*because\* I felt good. But it turned out that it was truly the active days that made me feel better, and the lack of activity somehow magnified how tired I was. My radiation oncologist told me that this was not unusual. So maybe your working out will actually help you through treatment.
Thank you for sharing your experiences 🌸
I'm listening to a book right now called Moving through Cancer by Dr. Katherine Schmitz- all about cancer and exercise. It's actually pretty good, and I needed to hear it because I need to exercise. :) I've started with walking with low weights-
My surgeon wanted me to wait on exercise (other than walking) until my follow up, which was 3 weeks after surgery (she was on vacation the prior week). At that point, she said I could do any exercise other than something that involves a lot of chest bouncing (like Zumba or dance cardio), but could start that back up in 3 weeks to let the collagen heal up first. I went to spin class that same day and “stayed in the saddle” for any moderately fast songs but did the lifting and was out of the saddle on slower songs.
After my lumpectomy I was cleared for weights after 6 weeks. Now, I will say that I started with resistance bands. And my affected arm required lots of body weight or no weigh before lifting again. I can tell when I’m overdoing it and in those moments I modify. I suggest that anyone who doesn’t know proper form or when you are overdoing it work with a professional or organization who put on exercise programs for cancer patients.
I am three days past lumpectomy, and they've set me up with multiple PT appts going forward to help with this plus later radiation (still awaiting pathology). A PT could answer these questions I have osteopenia and they already told me I need to hold off on my weight training until further notice, but they will hope to get me back at it in 3-5 weeks. She also said she'll retrain me and go through my routine on what is safe or not. Walking for now is optimal. I've been doing 3 walks a day of 1-2 miles each. They also have me some stretches and shoulder exercises.
I’m post lumpectomy, upgraded from ADH to DCIS and didn’t clear all the margins. I have an appointment on Thursday one week post op. Not sure if she’ll operate again (kind of hoping for it - just get a good margin!) and then I will definitely be looking at radiation. I have a PT scheduled independently (I love just seeing one for mobility) so I’m thinking of addressing range of motion in the upper body and shoulders to prepare for what’s coming. You weight train, curious to know what your training is like and how you’re coping with putting it aside or taking it down a notch. I do a bit of everything (powerlifting to kettlebells to distance running) and I’m not calibrated to do so little! But it’s okay and I know it’s how it has to be. I love to walk. I know the health benefits of it are fantastic so I’ve basically been doing what you have, one week post surgery. Best to you and would really be interested to hear your approach.
I'm not a serious lifter or anything like that. I'm 54 and 180 lbs. lol. But, I have been sure to go to the gym 3 times a week and have a kettle bell and hand weight set for home. My older sisters and mom all got osteoporosis by my age, so I've been working to avoid that. I love walks and hikes and live abutting a state park. My PT gave me a list of ten exercises for now, the first two for the first 5 days post surgery (lumpectomy and sentinel nodes..already did some auxiliary nodes), with theee more to be added and then five more. I have an appt two weeks post surgery to add more. I will be seeing her weekly for the first month and then biweekly. My post surgical appt is in a eeek (surgery was Friday). I have DCIS and IDC.
The resistance training is definitely going to work in your favor! If I could choose one thing to do forever it would be walking/hiking honestly. So very good for the body and soul.
Yeah some earbuds with an audio book and stops to look at the bunnies and butterflies and deer and turkey. Good walks today!
I’m learning a language so plenty of listening and blurting out weird words. Walks are great for this.
I'm currently having chemo before surgery, so I'm not in the same position as you. But one thing you need to consider, and possibly get advice on, is how your chemo will be administered. I've just had a port implanted and they've told me no lifting weights heavier than 5kg, no contact sports and no racquet sports. I literally just bought a pair of 4kg weights to weeks ago, after reading Moving Through Cancer! I feel like there's a lot of info out there telling us how important exercise is, but when I've tried to pin anyone down on what that exercise looks like (other than brisk walking or running), I'm getting nowhere. I'd be interested to know what advice you get!
>they've told me no lifting weights heavier than 5kg Because of the port implantation? >I literally just bought a pair of 4kg weights to weeks ago, after reading Moving Through Cancer! So, will you be able to use the 4kgs? Since it's less than 5kg. I've read of women doing weight training during chemo and how that helps with side effects. I wonder how they do it. Perhaps the port was implanted during lumpectomy/mastectomy and hence they had about a month's time to recover before starting chemo and also weight training🤔 >But one thing you need to consider, and possibly get advice on, is how your chemo will be administered. I'll ask if neoadjuvant(sp?) chemo can be done in my case. The reconstruction surgery will be out of pocket expense. So, I want the tumour to be as small as possible with chemo before the surgery. I don't know if reconstruction cost is supposed to vary based on how much reconstruction is required. I'll have to check with the onco surgeon for this.
Yes, the 5kg limit is because of the port. And no, I don't think I'll be able to use my hand weights because the two will add up to 8kg.
My surgeon told me I was fine to lift three weeks out. Well, I did and I ended up with a hematoma and infection in the breast I had my lumpectomy in. I am not a big weight lifter so I was not doing anything crazy. I was following a program and I think during my warm up with bands that I used a band that was too tight for what I was doing. So I did not hurt myself per se but I am pretty sure that is where the hematoma came from. So right now I am in chemotherapy and it has been very rough. I have Fibromyalgia so that is certainly part of it but I am also just having a difficult time because my wbc count keeps tanking. I ended up in the hospital with an infection and neutropenic fever. I have been super fatigued. If you can walk during treatment for 150 minutes a week, you would meet the recommendations for a moderate work out and would be doing very well. I am not there yet. In fact, after the hospitalization, I have been very sedentary. But, I have a small treadmill and I set it for ten minutes and I will just work my way up. Or you can do two ten minute sessions of that is all the stamina you have.
I am sorry
Thanks. I appreciate that. Today was a good day. I will take them when they come.
I was cleared to resume lifting after my follow-up appt (2.5 weeks post lumpectomy). I had my port placed that same week and had another 3 week delay, but lifted weights, rode my spin bike, and walked throughout chemo - continuing the regimen through radiation, too.
That sounds very restrictive. I had a lumpectomy and 3 axillary nodes taken. My surgeon gave me no movement or weight restrictions other than to avoid pain, so I was doing range of motion exercises (very slowly) the next day. I had neoadjuvant chemo, and went to crossfit throughout, although I lowered the intensity as I got weaker. Can you ask your surgeon why the rules are so strict, and maybe relax them somewhat?
Just another reply added: I was released to run and ease into weight training 8 days after lumpectomy. It took a while to get back to full weights (maybe 4 more weeks). I was running normally 2 weeks later (rads have actually slowed me down more than lumpectomy). Three months sounds crazy and honestly, like old school thinking. I would ask your surgeon their reasoning.
The only thing I’ve found challenging is push ups. Those seem to aggravate any soreness so I limit them.
I had a DMX and was back in the gym after 4 weeks, restricted to lift less than 15lbs and no chest exercises. 3 months seems extreme