I have had a bliateral mastectomy with expanders in 3/04. In 6/04, I had the expanders replaced with saline implants. My concern is the level of strenuous activity (heavy lifting, pushing, pulling, etc) that is safe to resume. I seem to be doing fine with normal everyday activity. HOwever, when it comes to lifting anything heavy (ex. 5 ilbs) or even pushing myself up in bed, although I am very careful, I feel a pulling across my chest and I am afraid that I am doing damage to the work that I have had dome. I asked my plastic surgenon and all he said is that this has nothing to do with the implants and obviously I am not the same person as I was before. I have noticed a widening of the "cleavage" area sort of like the implants are spreading apart. Surgeon said this could be the normal settling of the implants and scar tissue pulling them outward. I also want to mention that I have been diagnosed with mild lyphedema in my right arm (22 nodes removed) for which I am getting treatment. I am aware of all of the precautions for lymphedema including heaving lifting (I believe which is considered 10 lbs. or more). I would love to have feedback from the surgeon regarding strenuous activity restrictions as well as anyone else who has also felt strain and/or pain across their chest months after this surgery and recovery from the initial post op. I am very concerned because I will be returning to work which does involve a lot of heaving lifting, pushing, pulling, etc and I am afraid of hurting myself after all that I have accomplished. Thank you for such a wonderful site.