Sorry, this may ramble a bit!
So, I’ve had SNB back in July- 3 lymph nodes removed I think. This restriction on lifting or carrying anything heavier than a half filled kettle- is it as important with SNB as it is with node clearance? And I take it it’s a forever ban, not just a six week from surgery thing? I’m asking because I want to get back to yoga, and while I’ve never been capable or inclined to do the advanced standing on your head sort of stuff a lot of the moves involve supporting your own weight on your arms (eg there’s a position called the cat, where you’re on the floor on your hands and knees, and some press-up type movements too)
Obviously I’ll check with my yoga teacher and my onc too, I just wondered if anyone out there does yoga or pilates type exercising and can help please???
I has axilary clearance, and reconstructive surgery, so quite a bit different. Your lymphoedema risk should be much lower, but not zero. I was told never to lift anything over 5kg/10lb (NHS conversion, not mine!) with my at risk arm, and nothing over 1.5kg above shoulder height. Light hand weights are OK if not too many reps (repetitive actions are notroious for triggering the dreaded ld). I was told not to put my weight through my affected arm ever - which has imapcted on the exercises I can do, so yes, some yoga and pilates moves are out, as are some other forms of ‘core’ work such as push ups (hurrah!) and some where you would lean on an arm/elbow.
I would talk to the class leader and see what they say. Any qualified leader should at least know what you are on about even if they have to find out what moves to avoid.
Again, I am slightly different to you in that I had a SNB and it was clear so I didn’t have any nodes removed at all. I asked the question of my surgeon, did this mean then I wouldn’t be at risk of lymphoedema, and he said I couldn’t get it because I hadn’t had any nodes removed, so the risk is all to do with the nodes and not the SNB itself.
I know that probably does’t help you much as you had 3 nodes removed, so as RevCat says you need to have a word with your teacher - I have done yoga, pilates and gym work since and had no problems whatsoever in relation to the SNB scar etc.
Sam
Thanks ladies! Lovely yoga teacher has changed any weight bearing movements in today’s class for me until I can check with onc and she can research too, so all went ok
RevCat I will really miss those pushups…
I had SNB (2 or 3 nodes removed) and lumpectomy combined with reduction and lift in 2010. I’m a keen Pilates fan and got back to it as soon as I could, starting with gentle exercises a few days after surgery and building up over the weeks and months after that. My instructor was great at tailoring the exercises to suit my healing progress, in particular avoiding any load bearing on the affected shoulder or breast. After a few months I was able to do all the exercises that I could before surgery, including using small weights, and have carried on with them at full strength.
So my advice would be to take it gently at first, listen to your body, if something hurts don’t do it, and get back to your usual level of exercise gradually.
I had WLE and SNB mid June and did a yoga class about 2 weeks later. Didn’t say anything to the teacher, just got on with it. Figured I knew my own body. BCN did say it was a bit too early but they always err on the side of caution. If you were doing it regularly before the op you should be fine - go into ‘child’s pose’ if it gets a bit too much. Inactivity is probably more of a risk than doing yoga. We rely too much on ‘experts’ to tell us what to do, most of the time. When there’s a lack of statistically significant studies, there’s very little to base the information on anyway.
Have to say not been back to class yet but am going very soon…however, I was never told not to lift anything heavy or not to do any exercises. Since my WLE and SNB (3 nodes removed) I have happily lugged heavy cat litter bags up and down 17 cellar steps without any problems …yet:)))))
I agree with keyfeatures and Kittyqueen - the professionals tend to err on the side of caution. I was told I should always be careful not to lift anything heavy on the BC side but once I’d recovered from the surgery I ignored that. It would probably be sensible to be more cautious if you’ve had a complete node clearance, but more from the risk of infection and/or lymphodoema (sp?) point of view.
CC
Hi
I had SNB and developed LD in my arm!!! I was told was very low risk so just goes to show it can happen although I do have horses and carry water buckets that can be quite heavy BUT Onc nurse said and I quote If you did it before you can do it post op and rads!!
Jill
Saw my onc today, she said (as RevCat said) that carrying heavy weights was a bad idea, but supporting my body weight was ok (particular in all fours positions like the cat, where legs support the body too). She thought it was a good way of strengthening the shoulder muscles and working them out too, so I’m happy about my yoga now.
