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Breast Swelling After Running - Have Silicone Implants

After I run my left breast swells and gets painfull for a few days. Should I worry? I am 2 and half months post surgery

I had a 285cc silicone implant. I only run for about 30-40 Minutes

Asked 37 months ago by JennJenn11 in Huntington Beach CA
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+3

Breast pain and swelling associated with running following breast augmentation definitely can occur!

You are only a couple months out from your breast augmentation procedure. Breast pain and swelling associated with running following breast augmentation definitely can occur and is common, especially if the implants are placed in the submuscular anatomic position. We advise our patients NOT to run or participate in high impact activities for six weeks following their surgery. After this time, we recommend that our patients phase in their various physical activities, including running,... more
Stephen A. Goldstein, MD
Denver Plastic Surgeon
+2

Swelling After Running with Implants

It is possible to still see swelling and tenderness, 2 months after augmentation. Be sure the athletic bra is giving you adequate support to minimize bouncing. Do check in with your surgeon to be sure nothing abnormal is occurring.
Paul C. Zwiebel, MD
Denver Plastic Surgeon
+2

Breast implants and swelling

Chest swelling after breast implant surgery is normal. Certainly, 2 -3 months after surgery the majority of swelling has gone away, but with exercise it certainly is aggravated.
Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+2

See your doctor

Dear Jennjenn, Two months is still early after breast augmentation. Your body is growing new blood vessels in the breast tissue in response to the stress of surgery. When you run, your heart pumps more blood into all of the body tissues, but especially muscles. Increased blood flow into your healing breast and chest muscle could certainly cause swelling. However, since the swelling is more on one side, I recommend that you see your plastic surgeon for an exam. He will make sure there is no... more
Brooke R. Seckel, MD
Boston Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast swelling and recovery after breast implants

The swelling may be due to residual edema post surgery, a large capsular pocket, or poor support from your sports bra.  Do not be overly concerned at this point as it does not pose a health risk. 
Raffy Karamanoukian, MD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
+1

Swelling post-surgery

Do not be concerned at this time because 2 months post-op breast augmentation surgery is normal. Consult with your surgeon if you feel you have some issues or concerns. However, a little swelling is not uncommon after strenuous exercises, such as jogging. You should be fully recovered at about 6 months to a year. Until then, you have quite a bit of healing to do, so take care of yourself.
Tom J. Pousti, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon
+1

Some swelling 2 1/2 months after breast augmentation not uncommon.

When you are jogging, there is some sheer force on the chest wall created but the breasts and the implants moving up and down with each stride.  You can reduce this vector by wearing a very snug athletic bra (and maybe even 2).  Even though you are permitted to run, healing is still occurring in your breast (and will continue for many months), so a little discomfort after a long run in not uncommon at all.
Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon
+1

Running can cause breast swelling

I am an annual marathoner and can understand that with a relatively new implant, just two and a half months old, there still can be enough friction and movement of the implant in the pocket of the breast to cause swelling on one or both sides. The swelling is due to some fluid collecting around the implant, something which we call a seroma. As you rest the area the fluid will go away, and beyond the period of full healing or lack of inflammation in the breast and surrouding tissues the... more
Peter E. Johnson, MD
Des Plaines Plastic Surgeon
+1

Unilateral breast swelling and pain may be muscle spasm

Unilateral swelling following breast augmentation is not at all unusual, especially if you are only 10 weeks post-op. It would be helpful to know more about the nature of the pain that you are experiencing. Does it last for the entire 2 days, or is it episodic? It is possible that you are still experiencing a bit of muscle spasm. If you notice the firmness of your breast only in the upper quadrant, this could be a spasm. Also do you have any back pain, especially pain between the shoulder... more
Jeffrey Zwiren, MD
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon
+1

Wear supportive bras when running with implants

I have occasionally observed swelling like this is 2 patients both of which I was able to draw off some fluid which ended up being clear and yellow and compatible with a seroma. However, I have several paitents who run or play tennis regularly without any problems. I don't know what makes one different from another but I suspect it is the friction that causes the capsule to be irritated, inflamed, and fluid filled. I would recommend that you use supportive garments and maybe even two... more
Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

Check with your surgeon

Jen, Unilateral and intermittent swelling this far after surgery is not common. You should make an appointment to see your surgeon to make sure everything is okay.
David Shafer, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon
+1

Swelling that late is unusual

Swelling that late is unusual, especially if only on one side. I would definitely consult with your doctor regarding this condition. Perhaps an ultrasound or MRI would be helpful in delineating any cause for this. Are you wearing a good sports bra? Could you modify your activity for a while to allow the injured ares to rest? Hope this resolves for you soon.
Talmage J. Raine, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

I'd suggest you check back with your surgeon

If everything otherwise looks normal and there is no evidence of infection or early capsular contracture, this is probably going to resolve spontaneously. Maybe choosing an aerobic activity for the time being that isn't as ballistic as running would help along with wearing good support. Your plastic surgeon would want to see you and evaluate these issues with you.
Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon
+1

Not common- check with your surgeon

Hi there- Without an exam, and some more information, it would be very difficult to know exactly what might be going on, but what you are describing is certainly not normal or common. I would visit my surgeon and have an exam. Without more serious symptoms, I doubt you have a significant problem, but get it checked out to be sure. In the mean time, I would wear the best jogging bra you can find- the more support the better.
Armando Soto, MD
Orlando Plastic Surgeon
+1

Running with implants

Thanks for your question - The situation you describe is a little unusual and may relate to some incomplete healing in your left breast implant pocket. You should speak to your plastic surgeon regarding this problem. Likely it will resolve with about a month off from running. Consideration for runners looking for breast augmentation Some questions patients have asked me over the years. Many patients have asked me to comment on their ability to run after breast augmentation or breast... more
Steven H. Williams, MD
San Francisco Plastic Surgeon
+1

See your surgeon.

Hello, This is not normal and although it might just be muscular spasm, I would have your surgeon take a look. Did you do post-operative breast massage? Have you tried gentle massage in the area when this happens to see if it improves? Best Regards,  John Di Saia MD
John P. Di Saia, MD
Orange Plastic Surgeon
+1

Still need some time

2 1/2 months out from surgery is still early and you are still going through postoperative changes. What I would recommend is that you wear a very good supportive bra when you run, some of my patients wear 2 sports bras. I would say if you have 1 that is very good and supportive, it should be enough. That being said, I would still keep an eye on it and mention it to your plastic surgeon so that he can monitor the progress. Are your implants still soft and move well? That would be the... more
Farbod Esmailian, MD
Orange County Plastic Surgeon
+1

Clinical exam might be able to exclude some issues

I would suggest that you mention this to your plastic surgeon. During his clinical exam, he might be able to exclude few issues (e.g capsule formation,fluid collection,lumps etc.). In some cases an imaging study (US or MRI ) might be needed to evaluate the integrity of the implant. Good luck!
Hisham Seify, MD, PhD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
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