Training ? after breast implants

[All18_]

My girlfriend recently had breast implant surgery (about 7 weeks ago). The implants are under the muscle. I would appreciate anyone's input as to when she may start training at 100% intensity again. The nurse at her doctors office told her that she can never train heavy again, and this does not seem right because I see many other women with implants training heavy.

[TuffGirl]

...The nurse at her doctors office told her...

Just a Question: Why doesn't she ask (speak directly with) her doctor who did the surgery?

[All18_]

She plans to, just hasn't had the chance yet. In the meantime I wanted to check with members that might have similar experiences.

[TuffGirl]

In my opinion, the nurse probably has no clue what she's talking about.
It's pretty obvious that lots of gals, especially BBer's are lifting heavy weights after they get implants. But they follow their docs advice on when to start back safely.

Probably would be wise to let her doc know exactly what she means when she says "heavy weight training".

Example: I just had gallbladder surgery 2 weeks ago. When I told my doc that I was a weight trainer and wanted to know when I could start back, he was thinking "oh, a light dumbbell workout" - "you can start back in a couple weeks".

But, When I broke it down and explained that I lift HEAVY, he had different advice I when I should start back. now it looks like I won't be back at weight training for another 8 weeks!

I had an open gallbladder removal, he had to cut through the muscle.

[Andrew69]

When can she resume heavy training?
Probably never.
My wife also had implants "under" the muscle, but the term under is a misnomer because the implants are actually inside a "pocket" made by the surgeon. The pec is slit open and a pocket formed for the implant. So part of the muscle is below the implant, part above and the force generated by the muscle during heavy lifts can be enough to dislocate the implant, obviously causing extreme pain.
Yes it is true that many women lift heavy after implants, but Im sure you will find that they all have implants inserted above the muscle under the skin.In this way, the implant does not effect the contraction of the muscle.

[NYGymGirl]

Personal experience-I followed doc's orders-was told I could resume heavy lifting of the chest...and I ended up moving the right implant!!! I'm also under the muscle...I now lift moderate/light weight with lots of reps for chest and haven't had any more trouble...hope this helps!

[All18_]

Thanks for the feedback. Would moderate/light weight apply to all upper body parts, since even muscles such as lats involve stretching the chest somewhat?

[someday]

mine are under the muscle and it took me a good year to get my full strength back in my chest. i started light and incresed slowly. i did pop one out of the pocket also, but it was from massagging them to hard not lifting. it's only noticeable to me. i would suggest checking with her doctor and telling her to listen to her body...most women know when something doesn't feel quite right.

[TLS]

Hey All18,

There is a thread a little further down in this forum titled "serious question regarding breast augmentation", it may be of help to you and your gf.

[milton]

I also heard horror stories about girl's training heavy after having implants, I discussed with my surgeon and he was basically clueless about lifting and I wouldn't trust him- only about this paticular subject though.

Anyway, I had them under the muscle and basically didn't train chest for 1 1/2 years although I continued with all other muscle groups after a few months. I've only starting lifting heavy again for chest in the last 6 months and, fingers crossed, everything is going fine. Although I'm now sore from EVERY chest workout.

[NYGymGirl]

Although I go light/moderate on chest, I'll admit I do train back and shoulders fairly heavy and haven't had any problems with the implants... But I did develop a hernia that Im having surgery for next week-so maybe u shouldnt listen to me-lol I'm just a mess!

[figurebeauty]

I had surgery sub-muscular about 6 months ago. A few weeks prior to my surgery, I was benching 135 for sets of 8. Now, flat benching is uncomfortable still, so I stick with incline and inclined flys. This incorporates more of the front shoulders and upper chest, and shouldn't bother the implant as much. I keep reps between 10-15, which isn't fun for me, because my favorites are sets of 6 and 8; however, I have heard some horror stories about benching heavy. Just think, each time the pec flexes, it is pushing on that implant....don't they take enough abuse between running/cardio/etc? No need to build the pectorals up so large anymore! Just make sure to keep the pecs well-conditioned for a symmetrical and balanced look. The only other exercise that took a while to come back was pull-ups and pull-downs. At about 4 months I could easily do pull-ups again. No other exercises really bothered me much. Start slow, and progress as you feel appropriate. I think a lot of this is mental, I just would prefer not to have any problems down the road! But listen to your body, you know what it is telling you!

My doc told me to wait 4 wks after surgery to begin ANY type of workout.

[andrea25]

I got submuscular implants back in June. I was advised by my (very experienced, educated) doctor not to workout for 6 weeks. Afterwards, start back slowly and after four months you can do whatever you use to do before the implants. I just had a checkup with him last week and I asked him about chest exercises because I heard somewhere that you shouldn't because they impact the implant; he said I can do any kind of chest exercise I want and it won't hurt it. He said that it sometimes even makes them feel softer.

[Red1985]

Hi all,
I agree with this. I work for a top UK cosmetic surgery company, and am going through with it myself next Monday, my surgeon( who is also the medical director for the company) has told me that after 6 weeks I can resume normal training on all of my upper body muscles ( lower won't be effected during recovery) but to gradually build the weight with anything chest or tricep related. I've had a few patients come through who lift heavy, and have had a variety of implant positions- unders, overs and also dual plane implants, who have all said at their 6 month check that they're back to full srength- so it bodes well for us all :)

[mavrick77]

My girlfriend recently had breast implant surgery (about 7 weeks ago). The implants are under the muscle. I would appreciate anyone's input as to when she may start training at 100% intensity again. The nurse at her doctors office told her that she can never train heavy again, and this does not seem right because I see many other women with implants training heavy.

this topic has been discussed to death.... with surgeons, and with other bodybuilders.....

IF YOU TRAIN HEAVY, THE INCREASED PEC MUSCLE WILL MOST LIKELY PUSH THE IMPLANT DOWN AND OUT TO THE SIDE....... not saying this happens in 100% of women, but then again it happens in a very large high percentage. one of the main reasons my wifes are overs