Problems with running after reconstruction.

mastiff2010

I was wondering if anyone else who has had bilateral mastectomys with silicone gel implants have problems with chest pressure while running.  I use to run 13 miles a day before my diagnosis and trying to start running again after all my treatments and surgeries are over.  But my problem is that when I run I get alot of pressure by my implants, the best way to describe it is that it feels like they are expanding and about to explode.  I know it must sound crazy but it also makes me some what winded.  I have tried all different kinds of sports bras and reg bras but still feels the same way.

dogsandjogs

I had my mastectomy with recon in 1982 so probably can't help much. I was a marathoner at the time and had no problems with my implants when running. I started running 3 weeks after the surgery and other than being out of shape did fine.

I would ask your surgeon though---

mdg

I run 6 miles a few days a week in addition to teaching aerobics and other exercise.  I do not have that problem.  Do you stretch a lot?  I worked with a physical therapist after my TE's were placed and did stretches twice daily to help with tightness.  I continue to stretch a lot and do yoga which I think has really helped keep things loose.

mastiff2010

I do alot of strech alot, I weight train and do some aerobics.  I don't really have this problem while I am weight training or using the cardio machines.  It is mainly when I go running outside.  I was waiting to call the Plastic Surgeron to see if anyone else has had this problem.  I tend to get the weirdest side effects to everything.  Thanks for your help.

jane4787

i had my double mastectomy 3.5 months ago.  i currently have tissue expanders and are no longer getting fillings - just waiting for my exchange date now.  finished a 10k race about 3 weeks ago and have another one coming up.  i used to have a "winded" feeling too... especially when i got my fillings and went exercising.  not sure if i have gotten used to feeling winded or if it has subsided but it does not bother as much - perhaps my chest/skin is now used to the expanders.  i also did not get a huge amount of expansion - only 160cc as i am smallish with an athletic build.  my plastic surgeon said he would put in a slightly bigger implant.  if he does, i may be having that tight/winded feeling again post op.  there may be several factors that effect (dis)comfort - i hope you will feel better soon!  (btw, i also do lots of stretching - yoga helps too.  maybe not so much the planks/chaturangas though)

dogsandjogs

It must seem strange to you guys the way they used to do implants. I got my silicone implant, which looked like a plastic bag of water, inserted right after the lumpectomy. Surgery time was about 5 hours I think. Nothing further was done!  

This was in 1982.  Years later, I thought of exchanging it for a smaller one as I had lost weight, but decided not to bother.

In 2011 I had a lumpectomy on other breast. They also did an MRI and discovered a small tear in my old implant. Radiologist didn't seem concerned so I haven't done anything about it.

The implant (now 30 years old) has shifted and hardened. It is now much higher and has moved to the side. But doesn't really bother me that much.

ab1234

I feel the same way! I've had my final pair for about 3 months now and am doing a half-marathon ths weekend. During/after long runs, my implants feel REALLY tight and full. Almost like they did right after an expansion fill. I'm running in 2 sports bras for extra support, and I did go talk to my PS. He's VERY conservative and required that I not run for at least 3 weeks after exchange, but now he says that it's fine and is not at all worried about the integrity of the implants. His theory is that I had really developed pectoral muscles from my gymnastics/athletic life prior to surgery, so there's just more scar tissue and re-connecting going on with my torn muscles around the implants. 

(And on a WEIRD side note...prior to surgery I was always able to kinda "flex" my small boobs. Just in the last 2 weeks, I can now flex those same muscles again for the first time in 7 months...but now when the implants move it is CRAZY! They move like a good 2 inches! We have to laugh at these things as they come, right?) 

Good luck to you!