Exercises for patients that have not had a mastectomy or reconstructive surgery

sandramj

This was the sheet the physio gave me the day after surgery and I kept these up for 6 weeks.  BUT I should have kept them up for longer as at about the 9 month mark I noticed this weird "CORDING" as I learned from Dr Google.  Since diagnosis of lymphodema I now have to lie down and elevate my arm for 20 mins twice a day - at 90 degrees and then massage the WHOLE AREA of the breast, underarm, side, down to bottom of ribs and wear a sleeve to control the lymphodema.  No sleeve on whilst elevating or massaging.
Here's the two sheets of exercises for those who would like to do them from the beginning and/or those who would like to perhaps prevent lymphodema or keep it to a minimum.  



primek 

This is basically the exercises I had after mastectomy and reconstruction 

http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/breast-cancer/treatment/surgery/breast-reconstruction/exercises-implants

primek

If you've had mastectomy and implant insertion you have slightly different exercises as no arms above shoulser height for a couple of weeks.
@SoldierCrab were there different exercises post straight mastectomy?

sandramj

thanks @primek I'll change the wording at the top.  THANK YOU.   Actually it seems I can't edit that now.???  

SoldierCrab

@Marianne_BCNA
@Giovanna_BCNA
 can you please change the heading of this to what @sandramj would like it to say please. 

@primek
nothing above the shoulder height for I think 8 weeks I will have a look in my journey and let you all know. 

SoldierCrab

https//www.cancer.org.au/content/about_cancer/factsheets/Breast%20exercises%20after%20surgery_fact%20sheet_September%202014.pdf#_ga=2.76628118.2005150744.1519516839-1369524504.1517829031

this is the poster direct from Cancer Council for those who might want to save it to their computer

primek

This is basically the exercises I had after mastectomy and reconstruction 

http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/breast-cancer/treatment/surgery/breast-reconstruction/exercises-implants

Giovanna_BCNA

Hello @sandramj
Can you please check the heading of this section is this what you would like it to say?
Happy to edit if its not correct

sandramj

@Giovanna_BCNA. The first part should say for patients that have not had a mastectomy or reconstructive surgery.  And can you please add in the link @primek has posted above for after mastectomy and/or reconstruction.   Thankyou. I didn't realise I had only a certain time to be able to edit posts.   

Hopes_and_Dreams

These are same instructions I was given as I had the same surgeon and physio as sandramj.
I had a single nipple sparing mastectomy with immediate implant.  I remember the shock of being told by the physio less than 12 hours after surgery that I had to work thru these exercises - now!  
I was told not to do execises F & G for a week.   Over the first 4 weeks I ended up increasing the rotations and extending the stretches beyond those described.  For all of us who have been through a mastectomy these exercises are painful (particularly the wall walk) but so vital to our ongoing recovery.
I’m so sorry you got cording and lymphodema sandramj but it seems that this can strike many months (or years) post op despite how diligent we have been with our exercises.
Wishing you all the best.

Afraser

While I would prefer to not have lynphoedema, I think getting it 10 years after you thought your experience of breast cancer was all over would be worse - and some people do. I hope we will soon get better information about what precisely triggers it - for those with primary lymphoedema particularly. Bit more research may help. 

Mollygirl

@sandramj I saw an OT for my cording and she would laser it the massage. Xx

sandramj

@Mollygirl I have been wondering what the laser treatments ate about that are mentioned in the bc & lymphodema - another new find today.  Maybe I could ask about that WHEN I hear back from the local hospital b c section.  THANKYOU Molly. I’m going to read more about it.  

lrb_03

http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/lymphedema/treatments/laser

http://www.lymphedemapeople.com/thesite/lymphedema_laser_treatment.htm

@sandramj, a couple of useful links. I've had laser to my breast but not my arm. I stareted with an "intensive" course, 3x week for 2 weeks, then gradually reducing frequncy. I now have maintenance sessions every 8 weeks. 
I believe there are treatment centres where you can have daily laser, Monday to Friday for a couple of weeks 

Giovanna_BCNA

Hi @sandramj
I have made the requested changes