I have been told I need a Mx and reconstruction, not sure what type of reconstruction yet as that still needs to be discussed. However I own a horse and am/was a keen dressage rider which is one of the highest impact sports for breasts I understand. Has anyone had a reconstruction and been able to continue with sport afterwards?
I am really worried about this as I don’t really want to give up my pastime but I can’t see how all that bouncing can be good for a reconstructed breast.
Hi Jo
As you know I have an LD flap recon - I’m also a horse rider. More happy hacker than competitive, but ride thoroughbreds and spooky types.
I’m 6 months on from recon. Got back on a quiet horse 10 weeks after op. Now riding normally - chemo permitting. Not sure I’d want to ride a real puller yet (at least, not without a pelham!), but general riding/schooling no prob. Sitting trot also absolutely fine with sports bra - and I’m a 34 C/D. Still wary about riding anything that might deck me - don’t want to wrench anything.
I didn’t have enough tummy fat for those options and was wary about anything that might affect my core strength.
I’m also mucking out etc, but still cautious about slinging bales about.
Hope this helps.
Dx
Thanks DJ007that helps hugely particularly the sitting trot bit as that is what I am really worried about. Mine isn’t a puller so that’s fine. I haven’t had much energy to ride lately although I did manage a 45 minute hack on Saturday but had to sleep for 3 hours in the afternoon to get over it.
I know what you mean - I’m a week post my last (ever - wheeee) tax and still v flat - about to get my a*se into gear and go and play now tho!
Dx
Hi - I’m not a horse rider (horses terrify me!) but am s runner so also a high impact sport.
I had my mastectomy with implants done in January and was running by the end of April. I was STUNNED at my lack of fitness so bear that in mind.
I chose implants as was really worried about moving muscle around and compromising my sports so definitely worth doing your research on this as some women do report back ache etc which I guess isn’t good for dressage.
Best of luck with your treatment.
Thanks Runner Girl, that’s really useful to know and sports will be one of the topics I bring up for discussion with my PS.
Hi Runner Girl,
I have implants with Strattice recon done 7 weeks ago with mx. I was a keen , if very slow runner until 6 months ago when I was diagnosed and it knocked the stuffing out of me. Have you had any problems with your running and the implants? Has it made them drop? Do you have to use stronger bras than previously.It looks like it took at least 12 weeks before you started running, I have to say I am a bit scared of it but desperate to do something. Will prob use exercise bike first.
I had bilateral mx with expandable implants in Feb followed by chemo started back running in June surgeon told me go for it and to wear a good sports bra. Got a great shock absorber one like armour NOTHING moves! Just try everything on and find what works for you - I ended up in TK Maxx so bargain price too. Been doing some light jogging through chemo and ran a race for life just finished chemo last Monday and will start back training in earnesst soon as I can. Felt a bit weird at first but with the right support everything fine no problem with the implants and enormous benefit from just getting out there and doing it. Fitness wise - pretty bad first couple of outings but coming back more quickly than I expected. Makes me feel fantastic - a runner not a cancer patient - go for it 
Hi everyone,
I had a delayed LD flap last year with implants - including one in my good side to even me up. I wear a shock absorber bra when running, and as CateeO says, nothing moves, and I have had no problems. Also, I have noticed no difference in strength of my arm/shoulder despite the LD flap.
My arm was noticeably weaker following my mx four years ago, and it took two to three years to stop feeling weak, but the recon last year had no impact. The PS said it would not affect running & swimming, but he thought it would affect my church bellringing - that pulling down motion is exactly where the LD muscle is used - but I can honestly say I have have had no problems, and my arm feels just like it did pre mx now.
Captain Invincable - apologies for the delay on answering your question. Definitely a good sports bra is needed, if only to reassure you that you aren’t causing problems (assuming you have the go ahead from your surgeon then I’m sure you aren’t harming them, but always good to wear the right bra). I know you are supposed to change them every few months which I haven’t really done, but did get a new one. I personally use Sportsjock.
At the end of the day, exercise is only good for you. It helps us recover from the op, gets our mind in the right place and I read something on the BBC recently that shows it decreases the risk of a reoccurrence. And as you say, it’s just so good to be out there. My fitness was shocking and I went from running the London Marathon last year to struggling to stumble round a couple of miles, but leave your watch at home and just enjoy the fact you can! Good luck.
Oh meant to say - it didn’t make them drop and I didn’t do anything high impact til I had the go-ahead from my surgeon. I did a bit of gym stuff such as the stepper and tried to walk everywhere before that, but yes it was nearly 4 months after my mastectomy and expander implants before I got my running shoes out again.
The thing I am finding hardest is to get back in the habit! I have hardly done any exercise for 6 months as the dx seemed to affect my heart rate when I tried to exercise again- really odd, but knocked stuffing out of me. It will be easier to get going again once kids back at school- it’s not like I have been sitting around:)In fact I am going to start lots of things when the kids start back at school!
Hi all, I had a bilateral MX and DIEP recon 11 days ago - after a local recurrence.
I too have horses (happy hacker) and I miss it ‘all’ so much. I took a folding chair up yesterday and sat in the fields with my horses, whilst OH poo picked the field and mucked out - He is a diamond! I was so jealous - not sure he understood why though?
I am very lucky in that I have a very steady, leg on all four corners type, one gear Cob who I trust to look after me. Think I will leave riding my scatty, but much loved Arab for a while longer.
I’m waiting till I get the all clear to do these things though - because this was too much hard work to compromise my recon.
So have any of the horse riders been riding again, and if so, how was it? I’ve not been for about 5 weeks and it’s 3 weeks since my op now. I’ve been told not to go until I’ve seen the PS (next Friday) but wouldn’t feel confident on mine for a while yet anyway. I’ve got a good gag to put on the pulling pony, but he’s not too bad generally, so I could just walk him around I think but I’m not going to risk any thing at least for a while. Just wondering how long it took you guys!
Hi
I had an mx, node clearance and immediate LD flap recon. I wasn’t allowed to drive for six weeks and it was 10 before I got back on a horse (the weekend after my first chemo!).
At first I was very weak and wobbly, but soon built myself back up again - chemo permitting. TBH I was more wary about handling dodgy stuff on the ground that might wrench my arm and shoulder
That was nearly 11 months ago. I am more careful about getting on anything that might dump me, but I got bolted with the other week (unexpected pigs loose in a wood!) and both stayed on and managed to regain control - a dutch gag helped!
Good luck and enjoy!
Dx
I had my Mx and DIEP at the beginning of October and I’m not allowed to ride yet. I was driving after about 3 weeks but then had shoulder problems and was at the risk of tendonitis so the physio won’t let me ride. I am seeing her again on Monday so am hoping to be given the all clear to ride then. I am allowed to go to the gym and lift things now but she is worried about the riding side due to the unpredictability of it. I will give you all an update on Monday after I have seen her and hopefully persuaded/bribed her to allow me back on again!