Does anyone know how soon after ANC and MX surgery you can resume pilates type exercises like the plank and more intensive triceps and weights workouts? I had 2nd level ANC and MX in November and have been building up my pilates exercises and doing lots of hilly walks during my chemo (just had no 3 of FEC-T so half way through). But I am worried about overdoing it on the operation side and setting off lymphodaema (if that is possible) as my arm and round my back does seem to ache a lot after doing any exercises like this. My pilates teacher doesn’t have any specialist knowledge and I would love to get information from someone who knows a bit more about exercise post this sort of surgery. Any information or ideas of where to go for advice?
Gay x
Just hoping someone will see my post re exercises.
Gx
Hello GBC
It may be worth giving our free helpline a call on 0808 800 6000 and talking to one of the team about exercise, opening hours are Monday to Friday 9.00 – 5.00 and Saturday 10.00 – 2.00
Best wishes
June, moderator
Hi GBC I am no expert in this area but can share with you what I was advised after my own mx, ANC and LD reconstruction two years ago…
Avoid any highly repetitive exercises (10 or 20 reps is OK, several sets of reps may not be) and never lift anything over 1.5kg above shoulder height on the affected side.
No push-ups, but the ‘against the wall’ version is OK. As you will guess, I was mortified not to be allowed to do full on push-ups… not :-).
I have been told not to put my ‘full’ weight through my affected arm, but that said, once tripped over and used that arm to save myslef, with no ill effect. I have done the ‘plank’ which done properly will distribute your weight and use your abs to hold you up, but to be honest I wasn’t entirely comfortable with doing it as it felt ‘odd’ in my reconstruction.
A pilates teacher really ought to be able to find out what is or is not safe for you to do, and adjust exercises accordingly.
Hi GBC,
This is a very interesting question; I was unable to get a clear answer on this from any of my medical team when I asked, (had a similar problem when trying to get guidance about exercising with a Picc line).
I wish I’d asked Revcat!! Lots of good advice here.
I had WLE and partial reconsruction but only three sentinel lymph nodes removed. I did Pilates all through my treatment, though obviously had to work up gradually to doing some of the exercises, and don’t do the plank much. However, I do now do push ups and quite a few overhead exercises, with hand weights. All OK so far, but really don’t want to risk lymphoedema, so I will check this again with my Onc. I wonder if it is a question of building up gradually?
Anyone else any ideas??
Thank you so much for advice so far cat ladies - RevCat and catseye!! I think perhaps I may have done a little too much already so I am going to be careful before proceeding further with weights and plank etc. Maybe also do what everyone says you should avoid doing and google further afield to try and find professional/medical input. I’m actually sitting here with a very achy arm one week after last pilates session and worrying (but that’s all par for the course at the moment!). Gx