Forum Discussion
Heavy lifting after surgery
Hi all
Im 17 days post bilateral mastectomy and recon. I have a 3 yr old and a 1 year old. My husband is doing all the lifting etc but today I forgot myself and picked up my 3 year old. I instantly remembered and went to sit down with her.
Im not in any pain and nothing on the outside seems to be affected.
has anyone done this and if so, what signs do I need to watch out for with messing up recovery?
thank you
4 Replies
Hi Rose1988
I hope you are still not in pain or feeling anything amiss after picking your daughter up xx. (Quite a natural thing to do & very hard 'not to', at the time!)
Everyone heals at different rates and hopefully your surgeon will clear you soon ... I had a lumpectomy and ended up driving sooner than anticipated (living rural but had my surgery in the city) as I had to get home ....
If you are in pain, you should let your surgeon know, in case stitches might have been stretched/compromised. You could also let your breast care nurse know too. Keep an eye on the wound sites, too, in case you spot anything untoward xxAll going well, you'll be fine - but definitely no more 'heavy lifting' until after you see your surgeon & he gives you the OK to do so xx. Take care
Hi Rose1988 Thankyou for creating the conversation and hope you are recovering well from your surgery. While we wait for others to share their tips and experience, we wanted to share BCNA resources that related to surgery recovery.
Here’s a summary of the key points from BCNA’s “Strengthen Your Recovery” Pilates Program for people recovering from breast cancer surgery:
🔗 View the full program on BCNA’s website
Program Overview
- A gentle, progressive Pilates-based exercise program designed to support recovery after breast cancer surgery.
- Created by Fiona Eakin, a breast cancer survivor and qualified Pilates instructor.
- Structured in four sessions, aligned with different stages of healing (from immediately post-surgery to 10+ weeks after).
Important Safety Notes
- Avoid heavy lifting (over 0.5–1 kg) with the affected arm for 6–8 weeks.
- Do not use weights until cleared by your treating team and you have full, pain-free shoulder movement.
- Start with 250g weights, and only increase if advised by a health professional.
- Always consult your care team before starting or progressing in the program.
Professional Guidance
- The program is not a substitute for medical advice.
- Seek input from your oncologist, surgeon, physiotherapist, or exercise physiologist.
- Modify or pause exercises during radiotherapy or chemotherapy if needed.
Hope the above information is useful and please feel free to reach out to our Helpline 1800 500 258
Hi Mez_BCNA
Would you mind clarifying for everyone please, whether the above
"Avoid heavy lifting (over 0.5–1 kg) with the affected arm for 6–8 weeks"
advice is only for a case of single/bilateral mastectomy? Or for any breast surgery like single/bilateral lumpectomy? Specifically for lymph nodes clearance or also for sentinel lymph nodes biopsy?0.5-1 kg limit for 6-8 weeks would also mean a different kind of preparation prior to surgery (although yes 'prepare just in case' might be wise).
Thank you for your work.
Hi SC
Thankyou for your question - we would always encourage people to be guided by their own treating team in relation to an individualised exercise program, as we know it certainly depends on each individual's surgery and their own medical history.
The following info is available on the link shared "The information and exercise program provided on this page are general in nature. They are not prescriptive and are not intended to replace medical or clinical advice from the health professionals on your treatment and care team."
Hope this helps! :)
