Getting Back to the Gym After Chemo and Ivor Lewis Surgery

 

Returning to the gym after chemotherapy and Ivor Lewis surgery isn’t about chasing the body you had before cancer. It’s about rebuilding trust in the body you have now, and learning to move forward with patience rather than pressure.

For months, my body was focused entirely on survival. Treatment, surgery, recovery and repeat left little room for strength, stamina or routine. Muscle mass faded, weight shifted, and energy became something to conserve. The idea of exercise felt distant, even unrealistic. When recovery finally created space to think about movement again, stepping back into the gym felt both hopeful and intimidating.

Those first sessions were humbling. Weights that once felt comfortable suddenly felt heavy, and cardio had to be approached carefully. Progress came in minutes rather than miles, in light resistance rather than loaded bars. But none of that meant failure. It simply reflected a body that had been through a lot and was learning again.

One of the biggest adjustments has been balancing calories and recovery. After Ivor Lewis surgery, eating enough to support both healing and exercise requires real intention. Portions are smaller, appetite can be unpredictable, and digestion works differently. Calories stop being something to restrict and start being something to prioritise. They become fuel for rebuilding muscle, maintaining weight, and giving the body what it needs to respond to training. Weight gain, in this context, isn’t a setback — it’s often a sign that recovery is moving in the right direction.

That shift in mindset takes time, especially when body image has changed. Scars, weight loss and muscle loss all tell the story of what the body has endured. The gym isn’t about erasing that story, but about strengthening what remains. Some weeks strength improves before weight does. Other weeks the scale moves while the weights stay the same. Both are part of the process, and both count as progress.

Strength training now is deliberate and controlled. Light weights, good form, slow progression and plenty of rest. Building muscle after chemo and major surgery is slower than before, but it’s deeply rewarding. Each small gain feels meaningful because it represents adaptation, resilience and healing rather than performance.

Fatigue is still part of the picture. Some days exercise brings energy and confidence, while other days it highlights limits that can’t be pushed through. Learning when to train and when to rest is an essential part of recovery. Rest days are no longer optional — they’re as important as the sessions themselves.

Beyond the physical benefits, returning to the gym rebuilds confidence. It restores routine, structure and belief in what the body can still do. Each session reinforces the idea that strength doesn’t disappear forever — it just needs time and consistency to return.

Fitness after cancer looks different, and that’s okay. It’s no longer about personal bests or aesthetics. It’s about long-term health, stability, mobility and quality of life. It’s about feeling capable in everyday moments and enjoying movement again without fear.

Getting back to the gym after chemo and Ivor Lewis surgery isn’t a dramatic comeback. It’s a quiet, steady continuation. A process of rebuilding strength, nourishing the body, and trusting that progress — however slow it may feel — is still progress.

And every step forward is proof of how far recovery has already come.