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Tightness after physical activity?

Page last modified on: September 18, 2008
Question from Betsy: I had a saline implant after a mastectomy 1-1/2 years ago. When I go kayaking, do yard work or anything that uses the chest muscles, I feel the implant is getting pushed into my armpit. Afterwards, I have a tightness in the chest muscles on the mastectomy side. Can I do any exercises before or after kayaking, gardening, etc., to reduce this discomfort?
Answers —Maurice Nahabedian, M.D.: That's a difficult question to answer, because it may be that the implant is firmly adherent to the chest wall muscle because of the capsule or scar tissue that has formed. The motion of the implant with that chest wall motion may be responsible for this discomfort and the positional changes that may be occurring. In order for me to fully understand why this is occurring, I would have to do a physical examination.
Marisa Weiss, M.D., president and founder: When the surgeon places the implant into position, is there a way to fasten the implant in place or not? To keep it from migrating?
Maurice Nahabedian, M.D.: When the implant is inserted, it's important to create a pocket underneath the chest wall muscle that is of sufficient size to accommodate the implant. I generally do not create a pocket that is too large or too small, in order to allow for optimal implant positioning and appearance.

On Wednesday, November 19, 2003, our Ask-the-Expert Online Conference was called Breast Reconstruction. Maurice Nahabedian, M.D. and Marisa Weiss, M.D. answered your questions about different techniques in breast reconstruction, the pros and cons of implants and body tissue transfers, when you might want to reconstruct, and many more issues related to rebuilding your breast/s after breast cancer surgery.

The materials presented in these conferences do not necessarily reflect the views of breastcancer.org. A qualified healthcare professional should be consulted before using any therapeutic product or regimen discussed. All readers should verify all information and data before employing any therapies described here.

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Meet the Experts

Maurice Nahabedian, M.D. is director of the Center of Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery of the Breast and associate professor of plastic Surgery at Johns Hopkins.

Marisa Weiss, M.D. is a radiation oncologist specializing in breast cancer and the founder, president, and guiding force behind Breastcancer.org.

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