Getting surgery

B

babydollsea

Cathlete
Hi Cathe,

First of all, I want to say how I really appreciate all that you're doing! I have changed my whole physique since I have been working out to your DVD's. People often ask me what gym I belong to. Then I respond telling them about your workouts.

The reason for this post is because I am getting a breast augmentation January 7th, 2004. I am more concerned with the loss of my hard-earned muscle and fitness level right now more than the actual surgery. But it is something I wanted to do for a long time so I decided that it was now or never.

My question is...How long will it take someone like me who has been working out for 6 years (your dvds and videos), ran a marathon and other races to get back into shape. During this time, I have never taken more than 2 days off in a row from working out. According to my docter, I am allowed to walk on the treadmill and/or stationary bike probably as soon as I am off the meds. But I cannot lift for 6 weeks after surgery.

Also, what workouts would you suggest for me to ease back into lifting and step.

I have the following:

CTX, Powerhour, PureStrength, Slow & Heavy, MIS/MIC, Rythmic step, BodyMax, Intensity Series (all including Terminator) and alot of your classic step videos.

As always, your advice is greatly appreciated!!!!!

Sara
 
Hi Sara! I had an augmentation on June 25th (yay!) and I found recovery to be easier than I expected. After about two weeks, I began easing into aerobics very gradually. At around three and a half weeks, I began leg work and then at six weeks I began upper body work. The only permanent change I made was eliminating chest work, at least exercises that primarily work the chest. My implants are under the muscle, and while my doctor gave me the okay to work the chest at six weeks, I just didn't like the way it felt to contract those muscles with the implants underneath. I also am concerned a little about the possibility of displacing them or "wearing them out" quicker (I have heard some horror stories about that.). But of course it's up to you and what you feel good doing. Sorry if I haven't been much help - just wanted to tell you that, from the perspective of one who's been there, that it's definitely worth it :7 :7 and as long as you persevere and don't overtax yourself, you will be back in shape in no time. Good luck!!
 
Sara:
I have been considering a ba for nearly a year, and actually canceled the day prior to surgery. One of my greatest concerns is loss of fitness. I love how strong my body is and don't want to lose that. Please keep us updated on your progress.
 
Hi Sara,

I actually used to be here as Wolfie (I'd forgotten all about that!) and I was one of the ones Cathe responded to in the archived messages.

My surgery was in February of this past year (I'm SO happy with the whole experience) and started doing lower body work about three weeks afterward. Of course I couldn't run for about 3 months - so I switched my cardio to walking on a treadmill, or using a stationery bike. When you do get the go ahead to do higher impact cardio (step/running/kickboxing) - make sure you get a really good sportsbra that holds you firmly in place. They aren't usually very pretty, but in this case function is critical. Some women will actually wear two sportsbras to get the extra support.

To this day, I avoid chest work. Some doctors will tell you it's okay to go back to bench presses - but even though I've tried it - and gone VERY VERY light - it doesn't feel right to me. The implants do shift and compress. But I've found that I don't really need chest work. I want to maintain a softer look in my chest area anyway - goodness knows I paid enough for it! :D

If you have any questions about the procedure - please feel free to contact me. I had a very positive experience, no complications, and outstanding (literally :p ) results. I wish I'd done it ten years ago. Best of luck - I know you'll love them! And don't panic when you see them in the beginning - they don't look like "frankenboobs" forever. :D
 
Hi Wolfie

Thank you for responding. I was going to try to walk and ride stationery bike after I am off the meds. When did you incorporate upper body work into your routine...a week after lower body work? Did you modify situps? Please email me at [email protected]

I will let you know how I do and would love to ask you more questions about the procedure, workouts, etc.

Thanks...
 
I'm so excited for you!!! Just don't push yourself. Your body is going through a LOT. Your muscles need to heal, and your incisions need to heel. (Are you getting a crease incision? That's what I had.) I started upper body work about six weeks after surgery. But I did not do chest work at all. Even pushups. You'll find that for quite some time, you won't be allowed to raise your arms higher than shoulder height (I can't remember how long exactly - you should probably make a list and ask your doctor when you go for your pre-op visit). I started back with very very light weights, and just did back, shoulders, triceps and biceps. I stayed away from tricep dips too - because they stress your pecs.

You will lose a lot of strength if you are going under the muscle (I'm assuming that's what you're doing). But it will come back gradually. Don't get discouraged. It's just a temporary sacrifice you are making.

Now, I do modified pushups (on my knees) and do plank work and am struggling to do pikes on the stability ball - but the struggle is my lack of coordination - not strength :+ .

p.s. I'll email you from home so this doesn't go through my work email.
 
About your BA, I wish you luck. I sure hope your experience was better than mine....I first got implants under the muscle in November of 2000. However, 2 months later, I developed a severe hardening in the breast, which is one of the complications called capsular contracture. This is when the scar tissue that surrounds the implants begins to attack the implant, seeing it as an invader to the body. So, I went under the knife again in order to correct it. I was fine for 2 months again but, sure enough, it came back in the SAME exact breast. SO, I had it corrected yet again. And, as you guessed it, it happened AGAIN. That is when I decided to have the implants removed FOREVER. Good thing I elected to have a breast lift with the implants or otherwise I would have looked just dreadful after my initial 110 lb weight loss (I gained 60 of it back by the way). I also had had a tummy tuck and lipo with the BA w/ breast lift and I have to tell you, the BA was the most excruciating experience I ever had. This might have been because I contracted an infection in one of my breasts because one of my surgical incision sites refused to close up and heal.

In a way I wish I could get implants once again but I don't think the daily massaging plus the worry of them bursting is really worth it...

Sherry
 
I had a breast aug in '96(saline) and less then 5 yrs. later had a deflation on the left side. I had them replaced with silicone in '01. Love them!! My doc told me not to do chest work. I did not heed his advice on the first set hence in my opinion the deflation. It is a very painful surgery if they go under the muscle but worth every pain pill. You will love the way you look. Good luck!!
Cindy
 
Sherry, Sorry to hear about your troubles. That had to really suck. So far my second set are OK. Hope it stays that way. I have textured implants so I don't have to massage...Thank God.
Cindy
 
Hi everyone!

I just want to say a big Thank you for responding to my original post. I would hope that everyone's experience would be a positive one and I sure hope that I will have a positive one as well. That is the risk I am willing to take. I appreciate everyones thoughts and advice on working out after "recovery" from surgery. This forum has been one of the most informative and supportive sites I have ever taken part of.

I wish everyone a happy, prosperous and very healthy New Year. Thanks Cathe for giving your time and hard work to provide the best healthy solutions to me our needs.

babydollsea
 
I had a BA in July of 2002. I had the same concern with not being able to work out for what seemed like an eternity. I had a wonderful experience. The only pain I felt was in my back which my doctor said was common with under the muscle placement. My incision was around the nipple and it healed very quickly. I never lost the ability to raise my arms above my head. After about 2 weeks, my doctor said that I could begin light exercise. So I just did what I felt comfortable with. It took a while to get back into any chest work, but eventually was able to get right back into the routine. I am so happy that I did it and don't regret a single moment of it. I wish you a lot of luck and hope that you have a good recovery. Let me know if you have any questions, because I love to talk about it with people like you because I experienced the exact same feelings before.
 
Luv2Workout

Thank you for sharing your experience. Because I am getting close to my surgery date, I am working out everyday until Jan 7th. I got the BodyBlast Series for Christmas and really love it.

You say you began light exercise after 2 weeks. Did you walk or do any step with modified movements? How long before you could do any weight work?

Anyway, I do appreciate your help. I will post again to this thread soon after my surgery (Well maybe within 3 to 5 days of it anyway :))

Thanks again!!!
 
I started out by walking on the treadmill. At the time, I was doing The Firm and felt ok doing the low-impact step movements, but really tried to refrain from anything like jumping jacks or any other high impact moves. I probably started lower body weights and light upper body weights into the third week, but I only did biceps and triceps. You will definitely know when you're ready to handle any movements that engage the chest muscles. I don't know if the incision area made any difference, but I know someone that went through the armpit a few months after me and it took her much longer to get back into any activity with her arms than it took me. She said that every time she raised her arms it felt like it was going to rip open. Which incision will you be having? Another great source for support that I found very helpful was www.breastaugmentation.com and www.implantinfo.com. They had discussion forums there as well. I remember having a "booby sister" which is what users would call each other when they were having their ba around the same date. It was fun to share our pre/post op experiences. Also, make sure you take before and after pictures (especially in tank tops/workout tops). It is amazing to look at the difference. Anytime I feel that it was a frivilous thing that I did, I look at my before pictures and realize total justification! Take care and let me know how it goes!
 
One more thing I forgot to tell you. Has your doctor said that you can take any homeopathic supplements that help with recovery? Mine gave me Arnica Montana pills that you take the day of surgery then right after surgery and it really helps eliminate bruising and swelling. He also approved of my taking Bromelain which I started taking 3 days before surgery. It helps with muscle soreness and I think it was a big factor in the speed of my recovery. Check those out and see if your doctor approves!!!
 
just to let you all know - i just read that the FDA now approves silicone. darn i wish it was approved when i had my surgery!!! i'm very happy with my saline ones - but i still feel the silicone felt more natural.

as for replacing them in five years - that is just one of the things we have to consider. it's like getting new tires for your car, they won't last forever and you will probably have to do some "maintenance" after awhile.

i agree that nicole's site http://www.implantinfo.com is incredible. they even have a monthly user group so you can email each other before and after and compare experiences with women who are going through it at the same time you are. i found that really supportive. we would cheer each other on, offer support, exchange little tips that we learned.

one thing - get yourself one of those reading/tv pillows. you will most likely have to sleep propped up in bed for awhile. those things make it easier to get out of bed. and, put a little table by your bed with everything you need on it. pills, tissue, books, remote, food.

it's also good to get one of those little pill box things and lay out all your meds by day - so if you are groggy you don't wind up taking the wrong things. if you don't have one of those, at least make sure the tops are loosened on your meds because you will be very weak and it's hard to open those darned things.

i did this all on my own - i had a friend take me to and from surgery. but i'm single, so i had to be really prepared. i had no one to stay the night or any of that. and i was just fine - because i followed everything that was on the checklist at nicole's site.

i even had a little cooler by my bed with little things of apple sauce, jello, crackers, gingerale, etc...the basics in case i got nauseous.

another tip - wear sweats and zip up or button front tops. i bought a few of the j-lo type velour sweatsuits. they were perfect for this. makes it easier to get cleaned up, and to use the bathroom.

i will say i was one of the lucky ones. i was not in much pain at all. i never got nauseous. in fact, i came home from surgery, took my meds, grabbed my laptop and was online talking about my experience.
 
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