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

Dawne-Hope, I think that is good advice. I do better some days than others in trying to follow.  I'm going to try to cut and paste a couple of links here. 

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22488698 Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to review the incidence of upper-body morbidity (arm and breast symptoms, impairments, and lymphedema), methods for diagnosis, and prevention and treatment strategies. It was also the purpose to highlight the evidence base for integration of prospective surveillance for upper-body morbidity within standard clinical care of women with breast cancer. Between 10% and 64% of women report upper-body symptoms between 6 months and 3 years after breast cancer, and approximately 20% develop lymphedema. Symptoms remain common into longer-term survivorship, and although lymphedema may be transient for some, those who present with mild lymphedema are at increased risk of developing moderate to severe lymphedema. The etiology of morbidity seems to be multifactorial, with the most consistent risk factors being those associated with extent of treatment. However, known risk factors cannot reliably distinguish between those who will and will not develop upper-body morbidity. Upper-body morbidity may be treatable with physical therapy. There is also evidence in support of integrating regular surveillance for upper-body morbidity into the routine care provided to women with breast cancer, with early diagnosis potentially contributing to more effective management and prevention of progression of these conditions. Cancer 2012;118(8 suppl). © 2012 American Cancer Society.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22488697 Abstract
Appropriate and timely rehabilitation is vital in the recovery from breast cancer surgeries, including breast conserving surgery, mastectomy, axillary lymph node dissection (ALND), and breast reconstruction. This article describes the incidence, prevalence, risk factors and time course for early postoperative effects and the role of prospective surveillance as a rehabilitation strategy to prevent and mitigate them. The most common early postoperative effects include wound issues such as cellulitis, flap necrosis, abscess, dehiscence, hematoma, and seroma. Appropriate treatment is necessary to avoid delay in wound healing that may increase the risk of long-term morbidity, unduly postpone systemic and radiation therapy, and delay rehabilitation. The presence of upper quarter dysfunction (UQD), defined as restricted upper quarter mobility, pain, lymphedema, and impaired sensation and strength, has been reported in over half of survivors after treatment for breast cancer. Moreover, evidence suggests that survivors who undergo breast reconstruction may be at higher risk of UQD. Ensuring the survivor's optimum functioning in the early postoperative time period is critical in the overall recovery from breast cancer. The formal collection of objective measures along with patient-reported outcome measures is recommended for the early detection of postoperative morbidity. Prospective surveillance, including preoperative assessment and structured surveillance, allows for early identification and timely rehabilitation. Early evidence supports a prospective approach to address and minimize postoperative effects. Cancer 2012;118(8 suppl):. © 2012 American Cancer Society.

Sorry guys, not sure why the first link isn't working try this. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22488698

LittleLisaB ~ I'm not a body builder (by any stretch of the imagination!) but I do workout.  It took awhile for the "weirdness" of the implants under my pec muscles to wear off.   I workout and use arm weights.  I do avoid exercises that isolate the pec muscles though.  Not necessarily because I can't do them...just because it feels weird and I don't want to tighten those muscles.

I'm a little over 1 year out from my exchange.  I can't say it feels "normal" yet.  I still feel like I'm "wearing a bra" even when I'm not.  But it does feel way more comfortable than even 6 months ago.

I'm not sure how large of an implant you have... but if it really bothers you , you could opt for less cc's.  I've heard that can make a difference in the comfort level. 

Hi girls,

Chiming in here. It's been awhile since I logged in.I can relate to the sad feelings  and frustration when trying to do things you used to do at the gym and taking classes where you can't do things like push-ups and flys. I had to tell all my instructors about my surgery and  often felt like the odd one out. I had a training partner who was showing me lots of things with weights and machines and it felt like I couldn't do half of the things because it felt weird on my pecs and odd pulling sensations that I just didn't feel comfortable with. At one point I had a moment where I almost started crying right there in the gym. Thankfully I composed myself. I find like what many of you did is that we just have to tailor our work outs now to what feels right to us. The Pec area seems the most off limits to me. I can do very,very light work there but that's it. I found a lot of enjoyment with the spinning classes and I actually did my first 5k last week. The problem is being a cardio addict doesn't help much with strengh training and that's very important to us gals. For those of you who have access to the Livestrong program (free by the way for cancer survivors) I highly recommended it. I was able to try many different types of workouts and discover what worked for me. Plus they are trained to understand that cancer patients have limitations because of their surgery and/or treatment.The Livestrong website also has a wealth of information on working and topics that include working out with breast implants.

I did read however strength training is a very good and positive thing to do after BC. Strengthening  the upper body is equally as important as cardio and can actually help prevent LE.

Hang in there girls. Don't lose heart! Working out is one way to ensure we will be healthy and stay healthy. It is now more important than ever. Where there is a will there is a way. We are all beautiful and STRONG in spite of our scars, implants and limitations!

I've done and am still working with LiveStrong after a year. I don't know where I would be if not for them.



I have LE and I'm not sure weight training will prevent lymphedema but it can help control it if done with proper supervision.

Sweetie -I've read ad naseum about weight lifting and lymphedema. Unfortunately LE is not a one size fit all condition. It manifests it different ways in different women who have had BC (some have issues in the axilla, some have it in the torso, some in the upper arm,vsome in the lowere arm, some in hand and others in fingers). In putting together everything I've read, the consensus seems to be that if done with very slow progression, with a trainer, under the supervision of an LE therapist, weight training can help those with LE. It has not been to shown to prevent it. Because LE can develop 5, 10, 20 years down the road from treatment, it is difficult to gauge the effects of weight training on its prevention.



At first I was scared to do any weight training with my arms because just cleaning out my cats litter box made me swell so we started with a lot of lower body and ab work. Over the year that I've been in the program I've progressed to 5 lb weights for biceps and triceps and 4 lb weights for military press. We've tried again and again to try to work the pecs but every time I have pain and increased swelling. I just can't do pecs. So we do interval training...super sets...and end with interval speed training on the incumbent bike.

Gran - Great to hear from you!  You were a kind of role model for me when I was starting back to the gym.  If you do try the strengthen the pecs PLEASE let us know what you are doing and how the results from it are.  With LE, doing pecs is a bit more problematic for me ... but the couple of things I can do are on an incline ... do bench presses with a weighted ball (not a bar) and wrapping a bad around something, taking the ends in each hand and bringing them together.  

 The bike ride sounds fabulous and so sorry for the trouble you had!   

I hope you have success at the gym and can get your strength back.  I know women who have had their implants removed for pain/LE reasons and it showed improvement but I do not know about strength.  Please keep us posted on what you decide and how you are doing.  It may be an option for me too someday ... 

I have only had LX,. but I am wondering about the risk of lymphedema with weightlifting or even repetetive arm movements !

Anyone have this happen as a result of this ?

Many thanks for any reply.

Hi Dawne-Hope,

I wanted to ask you more about how they took out your sentinel nodes.  I assume they injected you with a radioisotope or some such thing to make the sentinel nodes visible.  My surgeon did this with me and said that because they are visible, she is able to "pluck" them out without causing damage to the lymphatic system.  She told me my chances of developing lymphedema were practically zero.  Now I am worried that I may have a slight case of LE -- before I embarked upon my current exercise program I had a 2 month period of totally sedentary living (taking care of an elderly relative when I returned from my bicycle trip) and that's when I noticed my upper left chest feeling puffy and engorged.  Since I have been working out again it has gone away, but it still has me worried.  Any thoughts or advice from you or others would be greatly appreciated!  BTW...I did read the article you sited above.  It was very good.  Thanks!

Hi Ladies speaking of working out. I have been doing a lot of spinning classes (3x or more a week) and weights 2 to 3 times a week and sometimes I run about 3 miles. Sometimes I find the night or day after excersing  I am extremely tired. A very worn out feeling. Do any of you experience this. At times I feel a great and really energetic and then I get this huge dip in energy to the point where I have to take a nap. I'm also on Tamoxifen so not sure if that has something to do with it.

Hi Dawne-Hmmm that's a a good point. When I spin I usually drink 1-2 cups of coffee before the class, but I also drink about 16 oz of water during the class. I may not be drinking enough water throughout the day though. I don't always feel thirsty. I'm going to try this today to see it if makes a difference. Also at my last physical I had my Dr check my Vit D levels and they were low. Wonder if that makes you tired a well?

Dawn-I know you are right, but I need the coffee to get going in the morning. I think just need to at least drink more water.  Why is it that we sometimes forget to do the easiest things! I have been going to gym over four months and working out harder than I did in all my life and have not lost anything! My husband on the other hand weighs himself before the spin class than after and proudly announces he lost 2 pounds.  What the heck! He loses 2 pounds in 1 hour and I can't lose 1 pound in four months, just not fair. I do think the Tamoxifen has something to do with it as well.