Trouble Training Chest w/ Implants?

[CAROLINACHICK]

I got implants 2 yrs. ago (under muscle) My Doc told me not to train chest at all! But he knew I would anyway so during my follow-up visit he said if you must work chest only do push ups.
Of-course being hard-headed like I am I go ahead and train chest anyway but it took me a good 8 months ta get the nerve up ta go back ta doing weights. But what he said is always in the back of my mind so I find that I cheat myself on chest day. I don't want ta screw anything up especially after all the pain I had ta go through to get the implants. And I know of women who are competitors that have implants (under the muscle) So what's the deal? Has anyone every heard of this or is my Doc just very protective?

 

[starfish]

I have heard of people training chest with implants and having no problems... I have heard of others having big problems.. I guess it's individual.

I have talked to some girls who switched from under the muscle to over because of training.

 

[CAROLINACHICK]

I had originally wanted ta go over the muscle but at that time my body fat was sooo low that the Doc said their was no breast tissue at all and the only option was under the muscle. (I don't seem ta have that problem now) Thank God! I was so unhealthy then. I don't know rather ta risk it or ta just accept that I may not look symmetrical.

 

[Sassy69]

For a "medical opinion" (well as best as u can get on the web), you could go to www.implantinfo.com and post either on their discussion boards or the live chat - there are doctors who come in there. You could also email another doc from one of the links there.

From my own experience I also got under the muscle 2 years ago and asked my doc about that. I also started training for a bodybuilding show 3 months later. I asked specifically about that and he said that there was no reason to worry. I was slow to start back training, particularly since it was only 3 months post op - my chest was very tight while the implants "found" their place. Its kinda weird - I would get some involuntary "spasm" (not massive, just twitches) while training and it would be tight - but it really only took a month or so to get back to business. As my bodyfat dropped, they would twitch more just because there's less skin thickness, but nothing bad.

I would venture to say that most serious fbb's (pro & aspiring pro) have gotten implants and not all are over the muscle and I've not heard of any blowouts from lifting. (Though I've never seen a survey!)

When you train, does it hurt or is it still tight? Obviously I can't give you a guaranteed answer, but my doc said dont' worry about it and you can probably email a couple other docs or call up and ask other docs about it for a second opinion.

The only problem I've had with mine is that they get in the way of cable rows & press machines

 

[CAROLINACHICK]

Thanks for the info Sassy. I'm gonna check that site out.

That's real impressive that you trained for comp. 3 months later. I was just getting where I was comfortable ta train at 3 months I had alot of pain and spasms. Even when i would do the lights weight my chest would spasm and twitch. ( it was very noticable)
And you could just forget me doing hanging knee raises.
But now things are MUCH better. I do feel this tightness almost like a rubber band and of course I don't have half the strength as before. But now the only reason I don't do the hanging knee raises is because I'm too lazy. (starting back Mon!)
Thanks again, I actually feel better about it now!

 

[wilson6]

"I got implants 2 yrs. ago (under muscle) My Doc told me not to train chest at all! "

Where do they come up with this stuff?

No chest training for at least 4 weeks for over the muscle and 6 weeks for under. Light for a few weeks after that, then just be careful until everything is healed. After 3 - 4 months, you should be pretty much healed.

I have trained several female clients with implants. They bench from 135 to 225 for reps and pauses on the chest, yes on the implants with no problems. The mfg of the implant will tell you that you'd break a rib before you'd break the implant unless there's a defect and you'd know by now.

Look at all the women BBs, fitness chicks and women powerlifters with implants. I can think of one female powerlifter that benches 325 competition with 850 cc implants. Been doing that for years. The implants still look fine.

Bench away.

W6

 

[Debu]

I've had mine under for about 10 years now...I wish I didn't because NOW they cause me problems...I don't lift chest because of that...it feels like something is tearing inside...every now and then I try to get back in it but then it starts causing problems again...like the leg raises! Thought I was the only one! Iv'e defineitly outgrown mine, they used to look a decent size but since then I've put on about 40 pounds.

 

[starfish]

You CAN have problems with implants under the muscle. I have seen and talked to women in the fitness industry who had to have it corrected.

I have also talked to Plastic Surgeons about his..

 

[ann]

Carolina Chick....I got mine a little over a year ago, and I work the shit out of my chest on chest day. No probs whatsoever....they are pretty durable little sacks Now get pumping ......

 

[Sassy69]

I agree - there are too many women w/ breast implants to not hear more about trouble w/ chest exercises if they did occur. There will always be those isolated incidents - but shit, my doc told me about one of his patiences who was in a car accident - the car got totalled, she sustained some injuries, but the implants survived. Tuff little bastards!

I think that you should just listen to your body - if something doesn't feel right, by all means, go back to your doc to get it checked. Since you've already had them awhile, you should be healed up just fine - maybe just a little stiff from non/ less use.

I still get those tight weird spasms when I start hitting failure on some of back exercises and some chest but nothing bad. As I'm dieting down for my comp (in Aug) they start getting a little more touchy in terms of feeling "heavier" - that's due to my skin getting thinner w/ body fat reduction. By show time they weigh a ton, but its only for day or two.

The point is to not be scared of "using" them. Just use common sense and pay attention when somethign doesn't feel right.