How long until I can run/cycle/spin

Hi Sundrop

can only speak for myself, but I went back to feeling normal very soon after I had a mastectomy and sentinel node biopsy.  48 hours later we had visitors arrive to stay the weekend and I went walking and sightseeing without them even realising I’d had an op.  At the time I was doing daily brisk walks instead of running, but I’m sure I could have happily gone running within a couple of weeks of the operation.  You do need to be more careful with exercise that taxes your upper body though, at least until you’re fully healed.  Not being a cyclist/spinner I don’t know how much that applies there!

best of luck x

I was back walking within a couple of days, but was surprised at how stiff my arm was. You need to do your exercises 3 times a day, and it took me months to get full range of movement back.

I think I ran for the first time about 6 weeks following lumpectomy. It just didn't feel healed enough inside before that and I didn't want any bouncing to disturb what they had done to make it a decent shape. I was also surprised at how much bounce you still have even when wearing a very supportive sports bra.

Thank you so much for the reply, great to hear you were active so soon after surgery. I will play it by ear and be sensible, brisk walking will help regardless 

Thank you, its the bounce that worries me most, I'm not exactly small chested either...I will be patient and careful 

Ha, good point from you and Beatthebreast about the bounce.  There’s not much bouncing going on after a mastectomy

I was walking normally the day after surgery. I was back running 12 days after a lumpectomy. I worked on a don’t ask, don’t tell basis, just wait until it felt right for me. I ran (and still do run) in 2 sports bras, a higher coverage lower compression one under a higher compression one. I went swimming after about 16 days when all the glue had come off the wound, ditto lifting weights. I don’t cycle but it would seem lower impact than running. 

Hi Codfish, thank you for your reply, I have decided that I will be doing much the same and will pinch the two bra idea! If I feel able then I'll try some short runs and have decided that if I can walk with relative ease then a stationary bike certainly won't cause any more impact. Obviously don't want to jeopardise recovery but also don't want to be sat around waiting for the 6 week mark for no real reason. Happy running!

Just to add I am an H cup. I run in a ShockAbsorber D+ with a ShockAbsorber MultiActive over the top. Seems to eliminate most of the bounce. I am continuing to run and swim through chemo. If you are advised to have chemo, try to get a portacath fitted as you can’t get a PICC line wet so can’t swim, and running might be difficult.  

Glad you are able to run and swim whilst having chemo Coddfish and thanks for the tip regarding the portacath.

At the moment they are saying I will most likely only need radio after surgery but obviously that could change depending on my histology results. Knowing it is possible to keep up my running and cycling will help if chemo is needed.

Thank you