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After unilateral mastectomy, when is it safe to lift weights?

Posted by jpnnobx @jpnnobx, Apr 23, 2023

I had a unilateral mastectomy about 6 weeks ago. I’m back to walking but I can’t get a straight answer from Dr of when it’s safe to lift weights. I don’t lift extremely heavy weights, 2 sets of 10 but I feel and push the last few reps. I want to lift mostly for my bones because I have MBC to the bones in my spine. Thanks for any suggestions.

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jkh | @jkh | Apr 25, 2023

I had a lumpectomy with 3 lymph nodes removed. I asked when it was safe for me to resume my Yoga practice and was told as soon as I felt like it. I felt great so I got right back to it. Not a good idea. No need to go into all of the details but it will be extremely important to wait until you are completely healed. No need to introduce infection🙄Time is your friend.

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lalijess | @lalijess | Apr 26, 2023

I had a bilateral mastectomy 9 weeks ago. I started lifting shoulders and arms and legs at 6 weeks. I do very light chest lifting like bench press or flies. I found that push ups make me very sore and not in a good way. So I still am only letting myself down to the floor while on my knees in a pushup position. Or I do them against a wall. I do yoga as well with modification for Chaturanga as described above. Hope this helps! By the way, my goal is to work out at least 20 minutes everyday during chemo. I'm 4 weeks in and haven't missed a day! Some days are a light 20 minute walk though. 🙂

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jpnnobx | @jpnnobx | Apr 26, 2023
In reply to @lalijess "I had a bilateral mastectomy 9 weeks ago. I started lifting shoulders and arms and legs..." + (show)
@lalijess

I had a bilateral mastectomy 9 weeks ago. I started lifting shoulders and arms and legs at 6 weeks. I do very light chest lifting like bench press or flies. I found that push ups make me very sore and not in a good way. So I still am only letting myself down to the floor while on my knees in a pushup position. Or I do them against a wall. I do yoga as well with modification for Chaturanga as described above. Hope this helps! By the way, my goal is to work out at least 20 minutes everyday during chemo. I'm 4 weeks in and haven't missed a day! Some days are a light 20 minute walk though. 🙂

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Thanks, yes, it does help. I’m back up to an hour walking but I was hesitant on the chest exercises which is why I was concerned because a lot of upper body involves the chest. I’m in the middle of radiation so maybe I’ll take it easy until that’s finished and stick with the walking. I do like the standing pushups and that can be a start!

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