When will I feel "normal" again?

Good Morning All I had posted this on the PS board and Jackie I suggested I post this here as well as she thought there were some locals who had experienced the same thing......

I am 3.5 months post TT with a BL/BA.  Recovery has gone pretty smoothly with no true major complications - except I have to have a revision on my left breast next Friday due to too much fluid build up and no reapsorption so my PS is going in to drain it and make sure the implant is settled down right.

My major problem is that I was released for workingout at the 6 week mark and I'm still struggling to getting back to where I was pre-surgery.  Pre-surgery I was spinning 3-4 days a week and lifting a couple of days either separately or on the same spin days and was LOVING it.  Now however, everytime I spin, I swell up like a little blow fish and it takes days to recover and then I don't even feel like lifting weights either.

I'm just not capable of keeping the tension down on the bike and "taking it easy".  I've tried the treadmill, but my instinct is to run and I can't do that yet.

I'm so tired of not feeling that getup and go feeling in the morning and getting that great feeling from working out. 

Am I doing something wrong that it's taking me this long to get back to "normal"?  Seems like everyone else this far out is back to their regular workout schedules....

Please give me your guidance.

Thanks,
Franci

Hi,

Sometimes it takes awhile to bounce back.  Be kind to your body and let it heal.  You are not everyone else. You are you.  If it takes a bit longer than accept it.  Give yourself a hug and do what you can.

Paula,

Thank you I will remember this and hopefully believe it :o)

Franci

Hey Franci!

I am only 6 weeks post plastics, so only half as far out as you, but I am struggling as well.  It has taken me WAY longer to recover than I ever thought.  The arms were a piece of cake...but the BL/BA was a *****!  I am still sore at times and even walking down stairs or on the treadmill cause the beasts (yes BEASTS not breast LOL) to ache.  My energy level is much better but not back to normal just yet and getting myself to even go to the gym is a struggle.  I do go, but I can't do what I could before because I am still under restrictions, so I am finding that is not helping my motivation.  I can't run yet and going too fast on the treadmill causes too much bounce and that HURTS!  I got on the eliptical last night and that went well. 

My PS said that I could expect swelling up to 6 months post op.  However, I only had swelling the first 4 days and nothing since.  I do have some mild swelling still in my arms, but not that puffy, sausage like swelling I had in my forearms and hands/finger the first few days. 

Have you tried the eliptical? 

I don't think you are doing anything wrong.  I just think that your body is taking its time healing.  It blows my  mind that I healed WAY faster from the RNY than from this.  Let me know when you want to get together for lunch again. 

HG

Hey Heather,

I'm glad you're recovery is going so well.  Like you it's my energy level and the soreness that keeps me from doing what I want to do at the gym so in my mind, I'm like why go?  I have to get over it that's for sure.  I haven't tried the elliptical full out yet, cuz I want to spin so in my mind, that's acting like a 5 year old by the way, I think if I can't do what I want, so I'm not going to do anything at all. 

I so need to get over it and just get going.  But it seems like when I do, my tummy puffs up and then my boobs hurt.  The worst part is the tummy swelling, it lasts for a few days and the skin hurts from being stretched it's a vicious cycle.  I'm hoping that one day soon I'll wake up and realize that I haven't had any swelling for a few days. 

Of course since he's doing the revision next week, my limitations for lifting may be back for a few days and I'm sure there will be some pain, BUT at least they should be even afterwards!

Would love to go to lunch how about in a couple of weeks on the 16th - if you plan that far out.... I know some people don't :o)

Franci

I can't do the 16th...that is the Relay for Life weekend and I am in charge of all the day of event volunteers, so I must be on site. 

What other dates work?

I can do the 24/25th which is Memorial Day weekend or we're into the first weekend of June as I'm out of town the last weekend of May.  Or we could try to meet one night for dinner - not sure what your nights are like.