Playing Golf and Tennis with Implants

Linda1951 · June 2009

I have a gummy bear silicone implant in one breast. Surgery was performed January 22, 2009. Tissue expansion went well and so did surgery for implants. Problem I have now is that I am attempting to get back to my normal life which was playing a lot of tennis and golf. Every time I play either sport, I am in so much pain for two to three days afterward. I know it is the pectoral muscle and just do not know if I should continue. The PS just tells me to go back to my normal life, but do not "build up" the pectoral muscle. After playing tennis for 30 years, I doubt that I would build up the muscle at this point. Is anyone out there able to play either sport with their implant?

digger · June 2009

Hi,

I'm curious if anyone else will chime in here with their experiences of playing golf and/or tennis with the implant. I too had a unilateral gummy bear implant placed in March, and I'm trying really hard to get back into my pre-BC life, full of sports. I'm not playing tennis right now, because I unfortunately have frozen shoulder on account of the exchange surgery. I play with my right hand, but because the frozen shoulder affects my left side, there's no way I would be able to throw the ball up to serve. So, no tennis for right now. I'm not a golfer, so at least that's not affected. I am, however, an avid biker, and positioning my arms on the handles of the bike for a long period of time is extremely difficult. Finally, I like taking exercise classes, but there are certain moves that I don't think I'll ever be able to do again.

I do think that the gummy implant is quite a bit harder, and more firm, than a regular silicone implant (which I have in my right "healthy" breast, which I got for symmetry). It is also more painful for me and hard to get used to, but I'm sure the frozen shoulder doesn't help.

mhm123151 · June 2009

I had exchange and aug on good side and started golfing again at 6 weeks out. It was very painful on both sides (but worth it to me to be out) When I went to PS for check-up, I asked him if there were any exercises that I could do to help the pain and his only comment ws to play more golf. So, I take a couple of advil and hit the golf course and take some more when I get home. It seems to be working for me. But even yard work is harder to do now and I am always afraid of overdoing it.

warriorprincess · July 2009

haven't been on for a long time but I saw this and had to respond. I had bilat mast 6/9/08 w/ expanders thru out the summer and I started back golfing rt after the 4th of July. I didn't have any rads or chemo. At first I had some twinges but after a few rounds, my game actually improved!? I now have silicone implants and still golf. Maybe the difference is in bilat vs.unilat? Have u done any pec stretches, either w/ your recovery or as a warm up/cool down w/ your tennis or golfing? Those could help, good luck!

Linda1951 · July 2009

Thanks for your reply. Since my last posting, I have begun pilates to help and stretch out the pectoral muscle. I've noticed that the pain is noticed more when playing tennis than golf now so that shows some improvement. I am going to try and warm up with some stretches as you suggested before I play either.

carolehalston · July 2009

I played my last round of golf today before my bilateral with implants on Fri. I'll clean my clubs and put the bag in the closet. My plastic surgeon said it would be two months before I could play after the surgery. I'm thinking that I might feel good enough to go out in about a month or 6 weeks and chip and putt. It's good to read posts by golfers and tennis players. I played tennis for about 25 years before I took up golf and got hooked on it. My husband still plays tennis as well as golf at age 70.

nygirl1951 · August 2009

Hi fellow golfers, I'm not on much, but do pop in from time to time. Just wanted to comment I played golf with my expanders and now with my silicone implants. The "girls" are harder than my natural ones, but you do get used to it. I'd love to say they improved my game Smile , but they didn't hinder it either! Best part is in a loose shirt, no bra is necessary~

carolehalston · August 2009

nygirl, so glad you dropped in! How soon after your exchange did you resume playing golf?

laurievp · November 2013

I'm so glad to hear that some people are able to play golf again! I'm having a bilateral mastectomy with reconstruction on December 9th, and I'm so worried that I won't be able to play next summer. I absolutely adore my ladies league I play in, and my partner is the best, I don't want to let her down! Who knows, maybe it will improve my game (that's not saying much, I stink, really).

BigT16 · December 2013

I had UMX Sept 30th. I'm looking forward returning to golf this spring. I won't be able to return to my other sports (mountain biking, martial arts) till Nov. 2014 when my port is removed.

donster · December 2013

Hello ladies,

Just found this thread and I was thrilled to see others are back to golf and tennis after all of this.

I had BMX last November, tissue expanders, chemo, radiation and finally got implants last week. I was also a big golfer and was able to play really well with the expanders. As I look at the snow outside my window today I am grateful that I don't have to feel bad about taking a bit of time off now, but I fully expect to be back on the greens come April

I played with a group of women regularly, one of whom is a BC survivor with implants. She was a great inspiration to me throughout and a kick ass golfer. That should be our goal too

Playing Golf and Tennis with Implants

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