Mastectomy procedures have toiling effects on the patients, one of which is leaving their bodies weak. Inherently, post-mastectomy medication and therapy call for proper dieting and regular exercise.
Exercising after a mastectomy is vital for the regeneration of antibodies and restoring your body’s natural motor abilities. Nevertheless, a mastectomy patient should approach exercising activities in a regulated manner because the exercise activities can cause significant harm if done in extreme.
In this article, we will provide you with a comprehensive overview of things to observe when you intend to engage in exercising activities after a mastectomy surgery.
Is Medical Clearance Necessary Before Exercise?
Yes. Medical clearance is very important before you can engage in any form of exercise or training activities.
Essentially, consulting with your doctors is crucial to determine whether you are in the proper physical conditions necessary after a mastectomy. Several things can go wrong if you engage in physically demanding tasks before your doctor medically clears you.
For example, you may sustain additional injuries on your scar(s) if they are not properly healed when participate in a swimming session. Consequently, the additional injuries to the scar will prolong your recovery period, increase your chances of developing infections, or pave way for other health conditions, such lymph nodes.
Therefore, get a comprehensive analysis from your healthcare provider before you get a trainer. Ensure to also get a list of exercise activities from your healthcare provider, depending on your health progress after a mastectomy.
What Gear Should You Have Before Exercising?
Post-mastectomy exercise requires significant preparation, both psychologically and physically. You need to assemble all the necessary ‘equipment’ that will make your exercise routines more effective.
Primarily, some of the most important items you need before you commence your exercise or training routine include:
Exercise Breast Forms
Breast forms come in different shapes, sizes, and utility specifications, which make each type of breast form ideal for different environments.
Due to their weight, silicone breast forms are made specifically for regular daily activities that do not require vigorous body movements.
In general, you want to get a lightweight breast prosthesis Florida that is easy to cover with an ordinary bra and does not restrict your movements.
Additionally, get a breast form that stays free of perspiration to prevent the accumulation of bacteria.
Getting the correct breast form will help reduce sensitivity on the scar, enhance proper air circulation (keeps your chest area cooler), and maintain the form positions (to reduce the need for constant repositioning once you start running).
Sports Bra
Mastectomy sports bras are ideal for support and coverage during exercise. Essentially, the kind of sports bra you will wear depends on the exercise activities you intend to participate in. For the swimsuit bras, there are pocketed cups that hole your breast forms when swimming.
Bra fitters usually recommend wearing sports bras with straps converging on the back to provide additional support for your breast forms.
Additionally, the wide straps act as shock absorbers when engaging in physically demanding tasks such as running, where your breast forms move significantly.
Training Shoes
Your training shoes are as crucial as the breast forms and sports bras. As such, ensure to get the correct shoes sizes in order to run easily.
What is the Best Way to Approach Your Exercise Routine?
Exercising is a good way of staying both healthy and refreshed. Running, jogging, or swimming helps you regenerate stronger antibodies and rebuild your muscle tissues.
In general, ‘listening to your body’ will help dictate the intensity of the exercise activities you are going to undertake.
Ideally, your physical trainer will recommend starting slow to minimize the risk of injury and discomfort. Starting slow allows you to feel how your exercise gear (sports bra, breast forms, and training shoes) fits.
Breaks are a vital part of your exercise routine. You want to avoid excessive strain (especially during the initial stages of your exercise) to help conserve your energy.
Furthermore, ensure to stay hydrated throughout the exercise session; always keep a water bottle in hand.
Conclusion
Most medical practitioners recommend exercising for mastectomy patients as a way of reducing their recovery time. We hope this guide comes in handy as you look forward to starting your post-mastectomy exercises.