What bad thing can happen to implants if you do weight training?

Mel22-I have alloderm and I do think it makes a big difference in support. I'm not that much older than you, 44, lol and was very fit when I got BC and my Dr still used alloderm. I was just wondering why would you want to work your pec muscles anyway? I know I would like to work shoulders and arms but since I have implants do not see the need to work the pec area at all.

Keep us posted on your appointment.

Sweetie- I wasn't specifically targeting my pec muscles, just using them a lot in plank (push-up like) position during my favorite exercise, power yoga. I also do some thera-band and light hand weight exercises for back pain that involve the pec muscles.

I couldn't get by without being able to do these activities, and I don't think they should have caused implant displacement. So, that's part of the reason I'm so confused and concerned??

Hi kmmd,

I learned something interesting from an Army researcher recently.  I told him that I did not think I needed to worry so much about osteoporosis because I did heavy squats, etc.  He told me that lifting weight does NOTHING to prevent bone loss.  He said JUMPING is the key to maintaining the bone you have and building stronger bones.  They now have programs for little kids in schools that incorporate a lot of jumping exercises just for this reason.  So, as adults we can jump rope, do jumping jacks and any other exercises that require a downward force to be placed on the femur bone.  Interesting, huh?  I was surprised!

I have a lot to say about lifting and implants and displacement, but I don't have time to write about it now.  Will weigh in on that topic tomorrow.  Thanks to all of you who have been writing about this issue!

Gran 

Mel22-I understand. I want to be able to do the exercises I like too. I have back and neck issues too. I started using weights again a couple of weeks ago and everything locked up and spasmed. I was only using light weights too. I'm so bummed. It just feels like I can't do anything I like any more. All I have been doing is walking, treadmill and elipical and its all just cardio.

Texas-what a great idea! I would love to find a class like that around here. I'm going to look into. I agree with her we can't be afraid to use our bodies . I just think we need to be cautious with certain movements. How are you feeling now?

Sweetie2040: I know what you mean. When I'm doing pilates, it's crystal clear how much strength I've lost!  I've got stamina but no muscle power. That's what I'm hoping to correct, although sometimes my chest and back muscles do some strange things because they are in different positions.

Exactly the discussion I've been looking for since my reconstruction in November 2009.  I lifted weights for a few years prior to diagnosis (exactly 2 years ago), but no heavier than 15 pound hand weights, which was sufficient for me.  I am 54, had a single mastectomy with silicone implant on the left side, SNB with just 2 nodes taken, and a breast augmentation on the right to give the same shape to both.  I've been happy with the rebuild, but have never lost the feeling of 'tightness' on the left side.  But it's mild, just there.   My PS said no restrictions at all - just go back to anything I wanted, but I felt weird about the pecs - would I hurt the rebuild, etc.  I am back to simple bicep and tricep stuff, but now am emboldened to add pec strenghtening.  Thanks for all this straightforward and practical information.

JDW- My PS also told me I had no restrictions on physical activity, but you should be pretty careful with push-up, plank or exercise with direct pec muscle contraction. I waited for several months before easing in to this type of exercise, and one day my implant just changed/shifted while exercising. It began moving more outward and up more severely with each muscle contraction. The first sign was more visible wrinkling toward the cleavage side of the implant when I contracted my pec. Now, the only options I have are revision surgery or living with a wrinkly, jumpy implant.

I'm not suggesting that you shouldn't do anything that engages the pec muscle, just watch it closely for changes while you contract the muscle, especially if you don't have the extra support of Alloderm. If your implant just moves straight up or inward slightly that's good, but if you notice it starting to move outward, to displace more or wrinkle more, you should probably ease off. Good Luck! 

Teresa, i hope you have found by now you can do full contact after radiation. I had chemo, lumpectomy and 30 rads and started full contact sparring and bjj 6 months after i finished treatments. I received my black belt april 2nd this year after a 6 hour exam (second hardest thing i've ever done). You will be fine! Now, im looking for anyone who can tell me how long before i can go back to full contact after mastactomy? I just found out this week i have a new cancer in my left breast.

Hey what happened to this thread. Isn't anyone working out with weights? I just started a program at the YMCA called the "live strong program" I started using weights and doing the treadmill. I am careful about the pec area too. It just doesn't feel right. It's hard though because a lot of things you do engage the pecs. It makes me really realize how much my body has changed and the new limitations imposed by BC.

Hi sweetie.  Truthfully stopped posting here because if I'd read a few years ago about how much the implants would impact my lifting ability I'd have been too freaked.  The lymphedema is an issue, but, the chest wall problems with weight lifting bothers me more.  I miss the days of hearing the clank of the weights as you put them on the bar.  You know that metal smell and sound?  I haven't given up, but, glad I didn't know what a long frustrating road it would be and how much I would lose. If you'd told me a few years ago semi inclined bench press of 30 lbs was the days goal I'm not sure what I would have done. 

sweetie - I'm doing well. It's been a year that I've been doing it and I can tell a huge difference.  A year ago, I couldn't scrape ice off my windshied because of pain.  Now, it is no problem.  The biggest thing for me ... was taking away the chronic pain I'd had since my BMX and TE placement.  By no means am I tearing it up in the gym  ... it's still 5 lbs dumbells or less but I'm able to maintain.  I've learned how to do interval training and I'm in the best shape of my life cardio-wise.  And mixing up the weights with cardio helps my lymphedema more than anything ... it really pushes the fluid through.  I love it.  It has truly been a life-saver for me ... not to mention what it has done for my mental health ... getting back into the gym was HUGE for me.  I'm so glad you're doing this and you're only going to see improvement. Just don't get in a hurry.

I was frustrated on Wednesday because I had to do such low weight for a particular exercise and my trainer looked at me and said, "At least you have legs."  It put it in all in perspective for me ... yes .... while I am limited in what I can do with my arms/pecs ... at least I have strong legs and I'm building a strong core.  Perspective.

Keep us posted on how you're doing.  I work out with him 2x a week.   

Dawn-Hope-I'm glad you doing much better. I was just over at the pic forum before I even signed in here and commented on your thread. You do look amazing!

I understand the frustration you felt. I feel the same way at times. Some days I feel really strong and I almost think "I'm back to my normal self" (whatever that was) then I am reminded again of all the limitations and issues that have affected me since surgery. My legs are super strong enough. I feel like they are too thick. I do a ton of cardio and leg presses and squats. I really wanted to work my upper body and core. I am reminded though we cannot "spot" train and need to work all of our muscle groups. I went yesterday and was feeling under the weather and just could not get into anything. I had no energy at all. Keep me posted on your progress too.

kmmd-you are blessed to have a wonderful trainer. This program I am in is teaching me many variations of exercises. We have used weights, machines, bands,balls,spinning, classes, and cardio. I did wall push-ups too. They felt pretty good. I just worry so much about anything in that area. My chest contorts in so many weird ways and I am always wondering if anyone can notice it because I sure can. I really hate that and that makes me feel not normal. I know you really love weight training. Honestly that is my favorite too, working with weights. I like it more than the machines. I feel so awkward at some of the exercises and trying to do all these certain moves. I too have to be really careful of form and using the correct muscles. Not only did I have the BMX but have prior neck and back issues. I have to stay on the light side. For biceps I curl 10 pds in each hand, haha. I understand your desire to push yourself. That's a true athlete. My husband runs marathons and I can't figure him out and why he'd do that to himself. I just tease him and say he's crazy.

KMMD- You go girl!!! At least your getting some muscles there. I have been going the gym for 12 weeks and the two things I love are spinning and weights. I see some gains in the muscles but they are by no means huge. I am actively looking for a training partner who keep me motivated and who I can learm from. I just love weights. I am still avoiding chest exercises though!

LMichele - I'm going to be brutally honest here ... forgive me if this offends ... but I've found that going to the gym and trying to do the EXACT same things, the same classes ... it can be depressing as hell.  

 For me, and this is just me, I've found that I've needed to find new avenues, new routines for my workouts.  Going to the classes and not being able to do the things as I did before was just too depressing and took me to a really bad place emotionally.  For example, I was a regular attender and being prepped for training in yoga/tai chi class before my surgery ... and now I can't even do 'downward dog' because of the LE (it makes my fingers swell terribly).  I tried for months to still go to that class ...do what I could ... but the NOT being able to do of what I could do before was so depressing!  I would leave ... every time in tears.  Totally not worth it!

 What I've been doing the last six months is continue to work out with my LiveStrong trainer, go to the gym and do cardio by myself and focus on what I CAN do.  As difficult as it is to accept ... our bodies are different and while we may not be able to do what we were doing before ... we can do other things, and we need to focus on that.  I have the best legs and butt since I was 21 and I'm 42.  My legs looks awesome!  I don't have the cut deltoids that I had before my surgery ... but I cannot focus on that.  I guess what I'm trying to say is this:  Don't stay in a class or do things that make you depressed.  Focus on what you CAN do, not on what you can't.

I know it is easier said than done ... I too have left the gym in tears.  I can do a lot of what I did before with biceps and triceps ... it is the chest work that I cannot do.  If you need to ... get a trainer that knows about your situation and work with them and see how far you can go.  I've tried the last couple of months to do more with my pecs ... and I don't think I'll ever be able to do it (really makes my LE worse!)... but that is just me ... as long as I can do biceps, triceps and a little with my shoulders ... that is at least something.

Hang in there, LMichele.  [[[[hugs]]]]