Anyone gone back to the Gym after Lymph Node removal?

Public Archive
1

Hi

Just after some advice really. I went back to the Gym tonight, the first time since my Mastectomies with Tissue Expanders and Lymph Node removal on left side.

My question is - what exercises (if any) can I do, to strengthen my arm and also tone it up. I need to lose a couple of stone as put it back on during treatment. Don’t want my arms to be flabby but then I also don’t want Lymphoedema!!!
I asked one of the instructors in the Gym, she said try 2kilo dumbells for now. Just gently and slowly - any views on this?

Thanks
Ali

2

Hi

I had all my nodes removed left side. Do not do gyms but do ring church bells which must be similar to pulling weights (our tenor is 25cwt). anyway I started back 6 weeks after surgery gradually moving round to heavier bells and ringing for longer periods of time. even managed to do a bit on and off during chemo. My arm has been fine infact the medics thought it probably helped reduce the risk of lymphodema because the muscle action helps to pump fluid out of the arm. I think it help me get back my strength and range of movement pretty quickly.

I understand that the problems occur if you carry heavy shopping for a long period with your arm hanging down at your side - think about those carrier handles digging into your hands and cutting off the circulation!!!

As your gym instructor said just go slowly however if in doubt chat to your BCN.

Good luck with it all. - swanie

3

Hi Ali

You might find it useful to have a look at a couple of the Breast Cancer Care publications, one on exercises after surgery and the other on reducing the risk of lympoedema. These can be found by following the links below:-

breastcancercare.org.uk//docs/bcc_exercises06_web_0.pdf

breastcancercare.org.uk//docs/reducing_risk_of_lymphoedema_0.pdf

I hope you find this helpful.

Kind regards

Sam
BCC Facilitator

4

Swanie - I’m a bellringer too! Although as two of my children play Sunday league football, and my local tower is very small (6 bells) with a very small band, we only ring on Sundays so for me it’s very much a non-football season activity. Since my mastectomy I have stuck to the treble & second. I now have lymphoedema in my right hand. The nurse at the clinic was very doubtful about my bellringing, but I just try to take the strain in my left arm as much as possible.

Ali - I found that swimming was really helpful in strengthening my arm.

5

Hi
I went back to gym and swimming 4 weeks after mastectomy in Decmber -albeit very gently. I am now doing an hour in the gym and a 20 min swim 5x per week. I use 2.5 kg weights and also use the machines to help with toning etc. As said above you need to careful about having weight dangling from your wrist-as in carrying shopping.
Good luck!!
Love Gill x

6

Thanks for you helpful comments. Will carry on with the gentle weights at the Gym. I love swimming, but unfortunately have been told not to do it for anything other than gentle leisure as expanding my chest muscle will cause my tissue expanders to re-position themselves. Maybe getting out of the pool with wonky boobs is not a good look!!!

Thanks again
Ali
xx