Hi Jen, welcome and great to hear that your surgery has been successful :) I had a single mastectomy with immediate implant reconstruction and I received the same advice from my surgeon re exercise. I started doing some short (flat) walks a few weeks post op and stretched out the speed and distance over the following weeks. I managed to put on a few kilos during those early weeks so around the 8 week mark I started walking 5km a day. Found a new route which had a couple of good steep streets to get the heart pumping!! I am now 11 weeks post op and went back to the gym 2 weeks ago. I'm jumping on the treadmill for some hard, cardio walking and using some of the weighted equipment to start regaining some strength in my upper body.
The weather is starting to warm up so I'm looking forward to swimming and using the water for stretching.
Ongoing treatment can limit the ability to exercise, but I think the golden rule for all is not to do too much too soon - start light and work up. Also, if it hurts, stop! I was surprised how different my body felt from week to week as it was healing. Things I found difficult to do suddenly were fine so I am glad I eased into it slowly.
Hope you continue to do well Jen, good luck with getting back into your fitness plan!! Let us know how you are doing.
sending best wishes, Jane x
