Get the real deal on beauty treatments—real doctors, real reviews, and real photos with real results.Here's how we earn your trust.

see all q&a
Posted underBreast Implants q&a

Why is my saline implant swollen after heavy lifting?

K
kh420Mar 26, 2009

I've had my implants for 10 years. While doing heavy lifting, I think I pulled a muscle under my arm. I felt sore in my right breast and armpit/underarm. Two days later my right breast swelled up about twice the size. It’s been swollen now for about a week. What is going on?

Answers (46)

From board-certified doctors and trusted medical professionals
Dr. Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD
Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD profile photo
Dr. Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
4.5 | 79 Reviews
Answered on Jan 31, 2019
Answer
🔗 Link
1 person found this helpful
Dr. Jaime Haidenberg, MD
Jaime Haidenberg, MD profile photo
Dr. Jaime Haidenberg, MD
Board Eligible Plastic Surgeon
4.9 | 59 Reviews
Answered on Feb 14, 2020
Answer
Dr. Hayley Brown, MD, FACS
Hayley Brown, MD, FACS profile photo
Dr. Hayley Brown, MD, FACS
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
5.0 | 117 Reviews
Answered on Dec 6, 2019
Answer
Dr. William Lao, MD
William Lao, MD profile photo
Dr. William Lao, MD
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
4.9 | 147 Reviews
Answered on Jun 24, 2019
Answer
Dr. Joseph Mele, MD
Joseph Mele, MD profile photo
Dr. Joseph Mele, MD
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
4.4 | 23 Reviews
Answered on Feb 22, 2019
Answer
Dr. Frank P. Albino, MD
Frank P. Albino, MD profile photo
Dr. Frank P. Albino, MD
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
5.0 | 13 Reviews
Answered on Oct 1, 2018
Answer
Dr. Bryson G. Richards, MD
Bryson G. Richards, MD profile photo
Dr. Bryson G. Richards, MD
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
4.9 | 743 Reviews
Answered on Sep 12, 2018
Answer
Dr. Kevin G. Rose, MD
Kevin G. Rose, MD profile photo
Dr. Kevin G. Rose, MD
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
4.9 | 95 Reviews
Answered on Jul 11, 2018
Answer
Dr. Paul M. Parker, MD, FACS
Paul M. Parker, MD, FACS profile photo
Dr. Paul M. Parker, MD, FACS
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
4.5 | 63 Reviews
Answered on May 31, 2018
Answer
Dr. Ira H. Rex III, MD
Ira H. Rex III, MD profile photo
Dr. Ira H. Rex III, MD
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
4.9 | 91 Reviews
Answered on Nov 26, 2019
Answer

More Breast Implants Questions

Top Answer
User Avatar
Richard Baxter, MD

Of course without seeing you in person, I can only offer general advice. The first thought that comes to mind is coverage; implants above the muscle will usually show more of whatever is going on with the implants, whether it is buckling or rippling. So going under could help but there are other...

+4 answers
Top Answer
User Avatar
Brent Moelleken, MD

Presumably, your breast implants are out already. the prognosis for breast implants with an active infection is poor, since the implants and the tissue surrounding them has no natural defenses. Infections treated "halfway" for a long period of time lead to scarred and deformed...

+7 answers
Top Answer
User Avatar
Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS, FACS

Your plastic surgeon is probably right. Although capsular contractures following breast augmentation  can occur just about anytime, most women start having symptoms around three months after their breast implant surgery. This is because it takes some time for a capsule to form and then to...

+22 answers
Top Answer
User Avatar
Lewis Albert Andres, MD

Hello! Thank you for your question. In general, implant size does not correlate with bra cup size. The cup size itself will vary from manufacturer to manufacturer as well as who is doing the actual measurements. Thus, cup size is never a reliable indicator for your breast size. I typically...

+9 answers
Top Answer
User Avatar
Austin Hayes, MD

It's a great question. I strongly prefer under the muscle implants because the muscle provides another layer of camouflage for your implants. The muscle contours the top of the implant to give it a more natural slope and hide rippling of the implant. Implants under the muscle have a decreased r...

+11 answers
Top Answer
User Avatar
Richard Baxter, MD

If your implants are under the muscle, exercise may actually push the implants lower which could in turn make them look even smaller. There are a number of good exercises you can do for the upper body without focusing on your pecs, which would be my advice.

+9 answers
See all Breast Implants Q&A
See more Breast Implants Q&As
See all Q&As
SEE BREAST IMPLANTS GUIDE →