Exercises and underwear

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I'm 2 weeks post-surgery and due to have the surgical dressings removed at the end of this week.  I was told right back at the beginning of this journey, that I would have radiotherapy.  I note a few people speaking about doing the exercises they were given in relation to having radiotherapy.  No-one has spoken to me about exercises.  What is it that you are all doing?

As a result of surgery I have been reduced on both sides from a GG to a B/C. Now that the swelling has begun to subside and the dressings are not quite so rigid I'm feeling every bump and step.  I have changed so much in both size and shape, would I be premature to book a bra fitting appointment for the day the dressings come off, or would it be a sensible idea.  I'm desperate for some proper support. 

  • I just continued the exercises I was given to do after surgery, and practiced holding my breath as the radiotherapy was on the left side.  I waited about a month after RT before I went for a bra fitting for things to settle down.  Have you been wearing a sports bra up to now?

  • Hi EllaMae,

    I had a lumpectomy and reduction back in February I was H and now DD. I did the exercises I was given in the leaflet think from BCN after surgery slowly progressing to lifting arms above my head. As for a bra fitting my  breasts were swollen for a while after surgery I wore F the E cups for a few weeks the right side swelled after RT for a little while nothing major but enough to be a little tighter in the right cup.  I never got fitted just ordered loads of bras to try, I wore a non wired one for about 4 weeks including to sleep in after dressings came off as scars quite tender. Eventually went into an underwired sports bra about week 5 which was great for support.but also great to remove after wearing most of the day..Lol..  It's probably not worth spending a lot on bras yet.  Hope all goes well with your recovery and RT.

  • The exercises are the ones given after surgery - particularly for week two onwards where you lift your arms behind your head straight and at a right angle. You’ll find them on the MacMillan website if you weren’t given them in a pack when you were diagnosed or after surgery by a physio.  I wish I had an answer about bras but I’m struggling too….

  • That's the thing, Sapphire, I haven't been given any exercises to do.  I was sent home with a leaflet that basically said take all your meds, your dressings will come off in 2 weeks and don't get them wet. 

  • Check with your BCN first but this is a link to the leaflet l was given you can download it

     https://breastcancernow.org/information-support/publication/exercises-after-breast-cancer-surgery-bcc6

    Good luck..