Breast Implants and Bodybuilding/Fitness Issues

[lil k]

(Dr. Rick Silverman, Boston, MA)

Currently, many women who engage in bodybuilding and fitness activities are seeking breast augmentation. One of the down-sides of bodybuilding, in fact, is the gradual loss of breast tissue with increased lean body mass and decreased body fat. Just what you wanted to hear, right!? But never fear. If you’ve lost your girlish curves as you’ve trained and toned, you can consider breast augmentation as a safe way to restore some fullness to your figure. Most of the issues pertinent to all patients undergoing breast augmentation remain pertinent to fitness fanatics. I hope to provide a little more information specific to women who enjoy weight training and are considering breast implants.

Q. Should I have implants under the muscle or over the muscle?

A. Many women who bodybuild are worried about the impact of lifting on the implant if it’s under the muscle. Will it move? Will it deflate or pop? Obviously these things can happen, but it is not typical. In general, I recommend placement of implants under the pectoralis muscle, since the appearance of the implant is better, especially in patients with very low body fat. In those patients, the implants tend to be very obvious when placed over the muscle, including features such as rippling. By placing the implant under the muscle, there is more tissue between the implant and the outside world, thus making the implant less obvious. The "ridges" on the insides of the breasts are an example of rippling.

Q. Will the implant under the muscle be squeezed by the muscle?

A. Well... yes, it will. But that’s not necessarily a problem since the implants are made to stand up to lots of abuse, such as a band of Miami Dolphin linebackers. The implants are compressible, and in many cases you will be advised to massage the implants to keep them soft. The motion of the muscle will not normally hurt the implant. On the other hand, the motion of the pectoralis muscle can cause "bouncing" of the implant or flattening, when the muscle is flexed. This isn’t a problem either. It’s just something that you should be aware of. I’ve seen a clever exotic dancer who used this ability in her dancing routine. Rather remarkable.

Q. Is there some special technique which places the implant half under the muscle and half over the muscle?

A. I have had patients tell me that their friend’s plastic surgeon invented a technique like this, and I thought to myself, "hmm... isn’t that how we all do submuscular implants?" If you think of what a man’s chest looks like, the nipple is at the lower edge of the pectoralis muscle. The implants, when properly positioned, are essentially centered under the nipple. That makes half of the implant under the pectoralis muscle, but the lower half is not covered by the muscle. The lower half sits over the serratus muscles on the side and the rectus abdominis muscle below. Those names probably mean something to you if you’re a bodybuilding enthusiast, but for everyone else, it’s just important to know that the lower part of the implant isn’t under muscle, except in cases of breast reconstruction, which is very different from cosmetic breast augmentation.


Under The Muscle Partially Under The Muscle Over The Muscle


Q. Which incision is best for my augmentation?

A. I generally use one of two incisions. Most frequently, I place the incision in the inframammary fold, under the breast, since this is well hidden by the breast (which is now larger and covers the incision!), and this incision is the easiest to use. It is one inch long, and it could actually be slightly smaller, but I can’t get my finger in a smaller incision. The other option which I use is a "periareolar incision" around the nipple. I use this incision when I plan to do a breast lift (mastopexy) at the same time as the augmentation, and in that case, I do a periareolar (donut) mastopexy, making an incision the whole way around the nipple, but no other incisions. This is important for women who have sagging of the breast after child-bearing or weight loss. The incision which is placed in the axilla (arm-pit) is another option, but I rarely use this incision for several reasons. Primarily, many of my patients are very active fitness enthusiasts, and they often wear sleeveless clothing, exposing the axilla. An incision there might be visible, whereas they are not going topless very often, thus hiding an incision on or under the breast. Additionally, an axillary approach makes management of the inframammary fold a little more difficult, especially in bodybuilding women, and this could result in a high implant. I try to avoid this, and the other incisions make that easier. I have not used the transumbilical approach in my practice (through the belly button), but this is obviously another alternative, which is employed by a limited number of surgeons.

Q. Round implants or tear-drop (anatomic) implants?

A. Generally, I have used round implants for most patients. These are somewhat easier to use, and the results are generally excellent. In a few patients, however, I have found that McGhan anatomic implants may provide more projection and a larger implant with a narrower base. If a patient has a narrow rib cage and wants a larger implant, this can be useful. Additionally, because competitive bodybuilding women may want to be able to exhibit their intercostals and serratus (the muscles on the side), a larger round implant may obscure that area, whereas the anatomic implant might not. This is less important with a moderate sized implant, since the base width is narrower. As for the appearance of the augmented breast with a round versus an anatomic implant, I have been fairly unimpressed by any differences with regard to a "more natural appearance". Both give very good results when used properly.

Q. Smooth or textured?

A. With the round implants, I use a smooth implant, since it is a little softer and less palpable. The anatomic implant is textured, so that it doesn’t spin around once it is implanted. Obviously, an upside- down anatomic implant might make you look top-heavy in a way you hadn’t anticipated.

Q. Is the surgery painful?

A. Breast augmentation is perhaps the most painful operation I do in my practice. But 99.9% of women say that they would do it again for the benefit they perceive afterwards. Sort of like child-bearing. The pain is managed with pain relievers, and while you should keep it in mind, it should not be enough of a reason for not having the surgery.

Q. Well, if it’s so painful, will I ever be able to work out again?

A. Of course. In fact, I allow my patients to start cardio in about a week, and they can start lifting with light weights after two weeks. I recommend that they don’t do any chest exercises for up to six weeks, generally cautioning that if it hurts, don’t do it. In spite of this, most women who bench press tell me that they are able to bench press the same weight as they did pre-operatively by eight to twelve weeks post-operatively. In a number of my patients who are very serious about their training, they have continued to increase their bench press strength as though they never had implants placed.

[Sekhmet]

Ladies, please feel free to post your experiences you have had
with your implants. Knowledge is the key to making the right decision to having augmentation.

[Wannabebarbie]

I had gotten my implants in Jan 01..

The Dr told me not to do too much chest working out EVER.
He said it can cause too much pressure and pop the implant out..

I went from a b cup to an f cup.
and I have them placed both over and under and they look great..

the PAIN is out of this world. and I am allergic to pain killers...:rolleyes: so I had to heal naturally for 3 weeks..

Good luck and check this site.

www.implantinfo.com

[sassy69]

OMG -- B to an F???? Wow. :)

I went a-b to d, under the muscle. I asked my doc about lifting specifically because I started training for a comp 3 months after I had the procedure done. He said there is no reason it should impact my lifting at all and there is no reason to stop or alter my chest training. The only caveat I would give is to work back into it slowly because you have cut into the pec muscle & it needs to accommodate the implant. There is going to be pain & pressure for a while, but it does go away. I also notice that when I take time off from chest or heavy chest for awhile, I get tight again and have to get used to it again. I think its very similar to dealing with scar tissue in a joint that you need to work out and if you let it go, it needs to be broken in again.

But it is doable. You might want to contact other docs besides your own for their opinion. Even a good doc is not necessarily up on all the details of something - I've found doctors to be particularly unaware of issues with BB and weight training so definitely seek more information to either corroborate what your doc says or to give you more informatin to explore. As far as what YOU can or can't do, listen to your body.

One thing I would HIGHLY suggest is making sure that you have good supporting clothes when you do get into the gym. Nuthin hurts like heavy boobs boinging around.

[griz]

I am planning on getting implants sometime in the next few months. Have not yet decided whether to go over or under. Still researching.

Sassy: My size increase would be comparable to yours. If you don't mind me asking, why did you go under? How long was your recovery? Thanks in advance.

[MrsPuddlesFL]

I had round smooth high profile unders, 450cc's put in 7 weeks ago combined with a lift. I went from a small 36D to a full 38D/DD. I needed the lift more than the implants. Unfortunately I've been fighting an infection, went through 2 rounds of antibiotics to no avail so a week ago I had a culture done and on Saturday I found out it's a staph infection. By Monday I'll have all of the results back (the lab is testing out antibiotics to see which one kills it best) and will probably be put on an IV antibiotic. GRRRRRRRR! The infection is painful and I'm feeling weak, but at least the end is in sight now that we know it's staph. I'm easing my way back into the gym slowly and did back tonight for the first time. I couldn't wear a regular bra comfortably up until this week so I wore tank tops with shelf bras and sports bras.

Question for the ladies who went with unders...how long did it take for them to drop?

[Sekhmet]

The pros, cons and cautions of breast augmentation. Written by: Claudia Linh

Start with the reality that you don't need implants. You may want them, but that's a different story.

Since our mission is to bring you the latest information in the areas of health and fitness, we suggest embarking on a quest for physical change by first acquainting yourself with a gym. The physical and psychological benefits of exercise and weight training often bring about the kind of body satisfaction sought by many women who consider breast augmentation.

Completely isolating physical and psychological issues is difficult, of course, especially with a topic so intimately personal as the choice to undergo plastic surgery. For the purposes of this article we've focused primarily on the physical aspects of the procedure; to learn more about the psychology behind making a decision of this magnitude, read our companion piece at www.muscle-fitnesshers.com. In no way is this article intended to impose judgment for or against breast augmentation. This is a very personal decision and we simply endeavor to educate you about the procedure and some of the pros, cons and cautions.

In the fitness industry, where lean, shapely physiques are the ideal, women sometimes undergo breast augmentation to replace the breast size they may have lost as a result of bodyfat reduction. Others choose to get implants to achieve the breast size they wished they'd obtained naturally. "I've always wanted the natural look. I thought that my breasts were going to grow, but they didn't," says IFBB fitness competitor Mandy Blank, who has undergone breast augmentation. Because of her muscular and fit body, she says, having breast implants makes her feel more feminine.

Another fitness model and IFBB competitor, Lisa Lowe, has made the conscious decision not to get implants, even though she admits that she had "boob envy" before she got into weight training because she was so slender. "But once my body started changing with weights, I began to like what I saw," Lisa explains. "This also gave me great confidence in myself." Pressure from society to look thin but shapely has created a lack of self-confidence and self-esteem in women who weren't born with a perfect body, she believes.

Self-Fulfillment or Mixed Messages?

According to a Women.com survey of more than 100,000 women, 31% would consider cosmetic surgery and almost half would get cosmetic surgery if cost weren't an issue. In addition, 52% of survey respondents said they considered breasts a real or measurable standard of female beauty.

Many women who seek out surgical options think larger breasts will improve their self-image as well as enhance their sense of sexuality, explains Beverly Friedlander, MD, FACS, a Short Hills, New Jersey, plastic surgeon who's board-certified by the American Board of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. But women get mixed messages about the ways they can make themselves feel more complete, states Sybil Niden Goldrich, a breast-cancer survivor and founder of The Command Trust Network, a Beverly Hills, California-based organization that educates consumers about breast-implant issues. Feeling good about yourself is about more than having big breasts, she notes.

Breast implants are a personal choice, but women may feel pressured by different sources into getting them. "It's up to each individual to choose not to let society direct her decisions in life," Lisa insists. "We all gain confidence in many ways."

Reputation vs. Reality

Just as with any medical procedure, knowing all you can about this invasive surgery before you go under the knife is key. Do some research and ask your surgeon questions before you alter your body, to make sure you're comfortable with your decision. Goldrich explains, "It's a long-term commitment that's very costly, not just in price but also in human toll." It's more than just one surgery, she adds, since you'll probably have to have the procedure redone every 10-15 years if you so choose, if not sooner. You may also acquire additional expenses due to complications specific to breast implants, including capsular contracture; deflation, rupture and leakage; infection; and more.

When screening a physician, "Be clear about his or her credentials and find out if there are any [medical malpractice] cases against them," advises Goldrich. If your surgeon isn't able to answer some of those questions, look elsewhere. And if the surgeon's secretary is answering most of your queries, Goldrich says that's usually a red flag for a high volume of clientele, and you should find a doctor who has the time to answer your questions directly. Ask the surgeon if you may read the packaging that comes with the implants, she adds. Read the small print and ask questions.

Mandy, for one, was advised by her surgeon to have the implants placed on top of her pectoral muscles, a procedure with a shorter surgery and recovery. It's also easier for re-operation, and the implants will be more palpable. The downside is that during a mammogram, lesions near the implant can be difficult to detect because of possible calcium deposits in the scar tissue.

Just as position of the implant is an important decision, so is the placement of the augmentation incision. The three common areas, according to Friedlander, are:

Axillary - surgically done under the arm, using an endoscopic probe fitted with a miniature camera. The instruments create a pocket for the breast implant.
Periareolar - incision around the nipple, providing good access to the entire area, says Friedlander. It's the least likely area to show the scar, though patients may feel altered sensibility of the nipple. Friedlander recommends the periareolar incision for patients who have a large areola or drooping breasts.
Inframammary - incision within the breast fold. This approach is the most common, Friedlander notes. The incision is made within the natural folds of the breast and permits access to the entire area being worked on, thus allowing the ability to correct breasts that might be shaped differently.

In the Name of Beauty

We all do things on a daily basis in the name of improving our appearance - we ride the stationary bike to burn fat, we wear contacts instead of glasses, we wear padded or push-up bras to enhance our bustlines. If you've decided to take the next step and get breast implants, make sure you do your homework: Complications aren't uncommon, and you - not your partner, your friends or family - will be the one who has to deal with them. The right decision for you will be a beautiful one.


Nothing Is Risk-Free

Don't be surprised when your surgeon tells you that breast implants may be affected by gravity and will result in your breasts sagging. This is common with implants that are much too large to be properly held in place by surrounding breast tissue; smaller implants may be a better choice. Currently, the FDA has approved saline (salt-water solution) implants for augmentation proposes. Silicone-gel implants are approved only for use in research, or for women who already have silicone-gel implants that need replacement.

Implant size and shape - round or teardrop - depend not only on your preferences but also on your chest contour (the way you're built), says Roger Greenberg, MD, a San Francisco plastic surgeon who's board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgeons and is former department chair of plastic surgery at California Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco. But most importantly, he notes, "If the implant isn't filled adequately with saline, you can get a rippled appearance - and that's usually more common with the textured implants." Textured-surface breast implants were designed to reduce the chance of rupture and movement. Some studies with small numbers of women suggest that surface texturing reduces the risk of severe capsular contracture (a hardening of the tissue surrounding the implant that may require additional surgery), but studies of a large number of women with saline implants show no difference in the likelihood of developing capsular contracture with textured implants compared to smooth implants, according to the FDA. In fact, states Greenburg, "Smooth-surface implants placed under the pectoral muscle have the lowest incidence of capsular contracture."

The How and the Where

For those women seeking the most natural-looking implant, a common concern is placement - they can be placed either on top of the pectoral muscle (subglandular) or behind the muscle (submuscular). Friedlander says: "A bulge or ridge in the upper part of the breast is a telltale sign of a subglandular placement. That's why I recommend submuscular placement; it provides more of a natural contour." The FDA Breast Implants Handbook cautions that the overall procedure for a submuscular placement may be more difficult since the implant is placed under the muscle, making both the surgery and recovery process longer. The implants may be less palpable (difficult to feel) and any re-operation may be more difficult. But the implants are easier to see in a mammogram, a screening test for potentially cancerous lesions in breast tissue.

[MS]

I'd rather have calf implants!

[lil k]

lol.....thank god i have the genitics in that department...i had them on my chest too, then i got so lean they went away...for me, it was a personal decision, i just had to have them done, and i am happy with it.......that is until ever chest day. lol

[sassy69]

My doc recommended going under, and despite the pain, the whole thought of a bag of saline being held on only by my skin sort of grossed me out. I guess I can't give a really good reason. I did most of my research on implantinfo.com and also located my doc thru there. It seemed like overs would sort of sag, etc. because only the skin is holding them in. Another item was how nasty the overs seem to look on bb's when they get really low bf -- actually I could feel the edges on mine at 8% bf so that was kind of gross. You could sort of see ripples on the bottom as well, but I survived.

[booty]

I got my implants in Nov 2000. I had mine placed under the muscle through the armpit. Absolutely no scarring but they do raise up and down when i fles my chest. I went from an A to a C depending on my bf%. they are only 285cc round smooth implants. My pec muscles were really thick and tight so I could not have gone too much bigger without them being at my collarbone. What I woul advise is to go to a dr. who works with drainage tubes. They come out of you pit and drain all night after you op. The most commen infection is from it not being able to get out so it continues to develop around the implant, but because you are already swollen you may not differenciate right away between the two. my doc kept me overnight and they removed the tubes in the AM. of all the girls I know who had it done with the tubes, not even one had has to go back for complications. He is in Toronto by the way, if you are close it will be a lot cheaper is you have american money. The nurses were so amazing. I really only felt like crap for 2 days. and I was back doing cardio in 4 days. Back to lifting chest in 3 weeks light mind you. i had no bruising and no scarring. It took about 4 months for them to drop a bit and about 6 for them to completely drop. (i had to wear a tight elastic band at first to help them ease down). Since the last noticable drop they have not moved and I have not worn a bra more than 5 times since the surgery. I would not get overs if you train. A friend of mine had hers done over, same doctor, and she really regrets it after she has seen mine. If you have a lift, deff get overs, no question!
hope this helps...happy boob shopping

[BabyDoc]

I had my breast aug in Nov 2002. I did a great deal of pondering and research concerning over vs under the muscle since I train with weights. I am Canadian so I was able to get silicone and I chose to have anatomic cohesive silicone gel implants placed over the muscle (this particular implant type was designed to work best when placed over the muscle). I had lost virtually all of my own breast tissue from training (I was a 36 AA pre-op) and I wanted to balance my rather bulky physique so I chose to go with 475 grams (these implants are semi-solid so they are measured in grams, not cc''s) which is approximately 450 cc's. This took me from a 36 AA to a 36 D. I had very little pain afterwards and the implants took 2-3 months to drop into place and soften up. I love the cohesive gels...they are very realistic feeling, like normal firm breast tissue. I have a small amount of palpable rippling on the outer bottom edges but it is not visible at all. I am just not used to having to wear intense support sports bras for jogging etc. My number one complaint is that since I had such a drastic change in size I do have some stretch marks on my breasts on the same outer bottom area radiating from the nipple area.

[Candi Barr]

As Sekhmet says, this is a very personal decision. For me, I just don't don't understand wanting to go though the risk and pain. I'm 36 AA and love it. No sagging, no bouncing, bras are only for fashion or modesty, yet my breasts are definitely present and accounted for in the right situations.

[MrsPuddlesFL]

Originally posted by Candi Barr
As Sekhmet says, this is a very personal decision. For me, I just don't don't understand wanting to go though the risk and pain. I'm 36 AA and love it. No sagging, no bouncing, bras are only for fashion or modesty, yet my breasts are definitely present and accounted for in the right situations.

One of my closest friends is like you...34A or AA. She's always been fit and trains consistently. She's 43 now and her boobs are absolutely perfect and doesn't NEED to wear a bra. And, she looks beautiful as her boobs are just perfect for her, she's barely 5' tall. Lately she's been thinking about implants and I've been telling her how perfect she is just how she is now. I hope she keeps her natural figure because it really does look wonderful on her.

[JJ]

*raises hand and declares* I'm a 36A, and I love my breasts. They're cute and perky and I don't need to double-up with the sports bras. :-)

[TC]

I'm still around 18-20% bf so I still have my breast! LOL! I'm a 36C and HATE the fact that I can't fit in most nice sweaters because of my lats and boobs.

:)

[lil k]

i was a very young grower....i got big fast and stayed big...34D...had my baby..grew to a F....so for me, after the kiddo, and training, i felt i had to get them fixed. my implants are under and i love them. i also took daily recovery pics, but i don't know if i want to post them, i'm thinking about it though.

[valerie]

Yeah I was a 36c as well, but now with my lats I'm like a 38c. Unbelievable! Hard to find bras that fit right. I'm not a big woman but very wide across the back, narrow waist. Oh well.

[valerie]

I meant to ask about brands of bras anyone can reccomend. Geez even the large sports bras fit tight across my back. Don't know how truly large women fit ones that fit.

[TC]

Originally posted by lil k
my implants are under and i love them. i also took daily recovery pics, but i don't know if i want to post them, i'm thinking about it though.

Yeah... I know what you mean if in your pics you are topless! LOL! Unless they're under a bra or something?

[JJ]

Speaking of bras, I went to Victoria's Secret today to get a beige strapless bra for this weekend. I wear a 36A, which is hard to get in the stores, but I thought I'd try. The sales girl gave me a blank look when I told her what I was looking for - I had to keep saying 36"A" - and then she told me something I never heard before. She said if you go up a cup size and down a width size, it's the same bra. In other words, a 34B is the same as a 36A. I didn't believe her until we found a 36A and 34B and I tried them on. Sure enough; both fit. Good to know. :-)

Unfortunately, the top I planned to wear with this bra - a cute little crocheted number - I had to struggle to get over my shoulders, then I can't get it off. I guess crochet doesn't stretch. :-) I finally got it off, but was pretty tempted to cut it off for a while there. Maybe I will wear it just to see how my PLer manages to get it off me. I have a feeling he'll go straight for the scissors.

[BabyDoc]

Valerie, have you tried the Champion Action Shape sports bras? They do up with hook closures in the back like a regular bra with three different sets of closures in different widths. They sell them labelled with bra sizes such as 34-36 D-DD etc. This might help. They are hard to find (I know sportmart sells them) and expensive but the support is unsurpassed.

[nightchild]

I spent most of my life a DD wanting a reduction.... lost weight and began weightlifting and reduction happened. I had implants with a lift a year ago and am still smaller breasted than I was naturally. I have under the muscle, saline with a vertical lift and only regret i have is not doing it sooner!

[valerie]

Thanks for the suggestions. I am familiar with the champion brand. Yeah I can't stand those cheaply made bras, they never last. Have you noticed how thin the straps are? Geez you'd think the folks who make these things never notice women have traps! I hate the straps that slide off my shoulders.

[BabyDoc]

Valerie, I guess I have no new ideas for you then. Sorry - I pretty much stick with the Champion intense action control line. They are the only ones that I can stand to wear. As for my BA, like nightchild my only regret is that I didn't do it sooner. It was nowhere near as difficult as I had thought it would be and I am very happy with my results.

[valerie]

Babydoc- I wasnt referring to the champion brand as being cheaply made. I meant that I had heard or seen the brand name, just had'nt tried them out. Just commenting on how some bras are made these days. I tend to buy the better quality ones that last awhile, so it was a surprise when I went shopping recently. I'll definitly check them out as the brand I have been wearing, are getting grown out of!-thanks-valerie

[MS]

I have that problem with the straps sliding off too. Now I stick to bras that cross-over in the back if possible. Not that I wear bras much. I am somewhere between a 38A and 40A, and you just can't find them off the rack. However there is this cute little invention called a bra extension which hooks into the back hook bras and adds extra width to any bra. Very handy. Unfortunately they don't work with back cross-over bras. Sigh.

[BabyDoc]

Don't worry val, I didn't think you were referring to champion as cheap. You just said that you were already familiar with champion brand so I was just saying that I didn't really have any new ideas for you. Sorry for the misunderstanding.

[hoop]

VALERIE--- Hey try this site out . http://www.sandiegofit.com/surgical_bras.htm

They have all sorts of surgical bras and sports bras stuff.
I just found the site while looking up fitness clothing. I haven't bought any yet so I can't comment on the quality or pricing.


I am scheduled to have my BA on August the 1st and I am soooo scared. I am having my implants placed over the muscle and overfilled. Can anyone in here tell me any of their experiences and how they felt. It would be nice to be able to relate to someone who has been in my shoes.

Thanks and I hope all is well with everyone.

[hoop]

Ooopss. Sorry Val. I just went back there and they are mostly all made by Champion. Well I am sorry. I couldn't help..

[nightchild]

hoop... I have unders. Have you checked http://www.implantforum.com or http:www.implantinfo.com

both have message boards with TONS of ppl on them, overs, unders, you name it... good luck.

[hoop]

Nightchild, THANK YOU SO MUCH. Yea I have see both sites and they have some really good info on them. I am getting kind of nervous the day is coming soon.

Oh yeah, you said you had unders. How do you like them? Why did you choose unders? Just curious. Thank you for replying to my message.

Have a great 4th of July all.

[BabyDoc]

Personally I have cohesive gel anatomical overs. I chose overs because I have scrubbed in and assisted on ~20 BA's and I have seen how much of the pec muscle they have to release from the sternum. I did not want to lose any of the integrity of my pecs so I chose overs. My surgeon also said that I had very developed tight pecs so she would have had to do a ton of releasing of the muscle and since I went fairly large (450 cc) she was not sure that she could fit them under anyways.

[JJ]

Just curious - if you were a dieted down BB/Fitness/Figure contestant, which would look more natural?

[BabyDoc]

It depends. Are you more concerned about the upper outline of the implant looking natural or are you more concerned about the position of the implants on your chest? With overs you will see the outline of the implant all the way around but it will be position much more naturally during training, posing, etc. However with unders, the upper outline of the implant is hidden and smoothed out by the pec muscle giving it a more natural slope. If I were not into lifting I would have gotten unders 100%. The problem with unders is that if you have decent pec development the muscle can start to displace the implant laterally so that it eventually looks like it is under your armpit. (I'm sure you have seen implants that just look WAY to far apart with no cleavage and a huge gap in the middle of the chest). I personally would rather have them look un-natural some of the time (only when my bodyfat is REAL low) than be displaced all the time. It's a tough tradeoff and people's opinions differ on it.

P.S. I have anatomical implants as overs and I'm not sure but I think that I would see more of the upper outline if I had round overs.

[hoop]

Thank you babydoc for your responses to my post. You have given me some very useful information. I am glad you are happy with your procedure.


FOR JJ:
I started at 29 bf% and now at 8 weeks into dieting and training, I am at 17% BF now.
I plan on reaching the 13% range within the next 4 weeks.
I have already talked to my doctors nurse and emailed them some pictures of my breast.
RIGHT NOW: we are leaning towards the over implants because I do train with weights regularly.
Also, I am interested in the high profile look and overfilling the implant.
I have an awesome doctor, and his nurse is a great help with all of my questions, I guess I will just wait till August and see how everything goes.

THANKS TO EVERYONE FOR ALL OF YOUR REPLIES TO MY POST..

[scfitnessgal]

Hey Everyone! I wanted to let everyone know that this user name is mine now. I was using my bf's user name which was "hoop". I now have my very own, so I can post my own messages and reply to topics on the message board without having to use his ID.

Hope everyone is having a great weekend.

[romeonline]

May I ask you ladies why most of you chose D or DD when chosing implants? Wouldn't a C cup give a more natural look, especially onlean BB? Aren't the large implants more noticeable because the tissues are more stretched?
From the pictures I've seen, the smaller looked much more natural and the very big ones were deformed.

[LENNY]

i agree w romeo...im all for bettering your body through any means possible but some labies (smaller ladies) look terrible with these huge DD hammers....by the way i love breast augmentation but some of these doctors are straight up butchers...AS far as ive seen IMO

[scfitnessgal]

Originally posted by romeonline
May I ask you ladies why most of you chose D or DD when chosing implants? Wouldn't a C cup give a more natural look, especially onlean BB? Aren't the large implants more noticeable because the tissues are more stretched?
From the pictures I've seen, the smaller looked much more natural and the very big ones were deformed.


Hey Romeo, you know you may be right for the women that have no breast whatsoever. I was a 36B (very cute and perky boobs I might add) when I was 18 and after having 2 children I have lost all of that perkiness and firmness, so therefore I want that young girl boob thing back..LOL.. I am a 38C now, but I am continuously losing weight and building muscle these days, soooo I would like to have the boobs to match the body. That is exactly why I am going for as many CC's as I can get without looking too unnatural. Hope this helps with your question. Have a great day!

Thanks for replying to my post. Shell :)

[romeonline]

You think your boobs are too small now in relation to your body?? How can it be possible, C cup is not that small! I guess it's a question of taste. You know what, you should post a pic of you (swimsuit on naturally) so we can see if we agree with you ;-)
Whatever your decision: happy boobs!

[JJ]

Boy, I'm not even touching this one.

I personally like my 36As, so I probably have a skewed idea of what is proportionate and what isn't. :-)

[romeonline]

As can be just as fine. To me, it's not a question of size... Same apply to the whole body, still according to me.

[LENNY]

jj figure is so hot.....why do girls think guys just like big boobs???

[scfitnessgal]

Originally posted by bigbadone
jj figure is so hot.....why do girls think guys just like big boobs???


Do girls think that?

Because I don't. I am doing this for me and only ME...
I would hope most other women do it for themselves also.
Hope everyone has a great day. Love, Shell

[wilson6]

See pic below.

Top row all women have over the muscle implants. You can clearly see the outline of the implant. Third woman from the left (top), when you're really lean, with saline implants you'll see the ripples in the implant. Always go with a smaller implant filled to the top end vs a larger implant filled on the lower end to reduce this. The last woman on the far right (top) has silicone implants (800 cc). Notice that despite the fact that she is lean, there are no ripples and they look far more natural despite their size because silicone have more plasticity then salines = more natural shape. Notice for her chest size, 800 cc implants just cover her chest (i.e., give her cleavage and some lateral fullness). Anything smaller and it wouldn't look right on her. If she had saline implants, they'd look huge because there would be far more projection.

Bottom row. All appear to be under the pec. Notice you can't see the implant, only the muscle. You can also see on the first two pics what BabyDoc had described, that being lateral displacement in this bodybuilder. My personal opinion is that (if she could have) gone another 100 cc to give her more cleavage, but it may not have made any difference depending on the origin and insertion of the pec. With under the pec, regardless of how lean you get, you won't see ripples. The third pic from the left (bottom) is a figure girl with what appears to be under the pec. They are very high on her chest and do not appear natural. Probably too small of an implant and/or not enough muscle release. Notice how the left implant is riding under her chin when she leans on her left hand? Won't have that with an over the muscle implant.

You could just go natural and develop pecs like the BB on the far right (bottom). Her pec muscle is about the size of a 400 cc implant.

Overall, my personal preference is silicone over the muscle, about one cup size bigger than you think you really want. When it is all said and done, you'll be happy.

I always tell my clients to get an implant whose dimensions fit the chest measurement. Not what cup size they thing they want. All mfgs have specs on their implants. Measure the pec from origin to insertion or I should say the width of the pec across the chest, figure an extra 1 cm for lateral fullness, then go with that cc size. It will seem like a lot of projection, but it will fit the pec and not look like a baseball sticking out of each breast. That's the problem with saline implants, when you get them to fit the chest, there is considerable projection. Silicones have much less projection and better overall appearance.

[wilson6]

BTW,

The pics likely came from the following if you want to see more.

Women's Physique World
FT Video
Muscle Elegance Magazine
Repetrope Videos
Reg Bradford
Andy's Muscle Goddesses

[JJ]

That was perfect, W6. This isn't a topic I research, so I never really knew the difference in look of an over vs. an under pec implant. These pics should help women considering this surgery make the appropriate decision.

[riptgirl]

Thanks!

[scfitnessgal]

Thanks Wilson for all of the info. It is greatly appreciated.

You guys have a good day. Shell

[BabyDoc]

W6 - great post. I am totally with you on your recs. I chose cohesive silicone gel anatomicals over the muscle. These implants come in low, moderate, and full height and projection measurements so you can mix and match the numbers to suit your chest measurements. I got moderate height full projection 475 gram implants over the muscle. Since they are teardrop you can't really see the outline unless I flex and I have no visible rippling (yet - knock on wood). Their texture is not liquid it is like jello or something - kinda cool cuz even if they rupture they will never leak.

[nightchild]

Originally posted by wilson6
With under the pec, regardless of how lean you get, you won't see ripples.

Not necessarily true... I have unders and there are visible ripples, just not on the top side of the implant where the muscle coverage is... currently sitting around 12% and my ripples are on the bottom outside and inside of the breast, when bending over... upright there is none, laying down there is none... so basically... not in a position anybody else would notice them.

I got high profiles because there is supposedly less incidence of rippling :confused: ah well.

I should try to snap some pics of that rippling or something. I do have flexing pics if anybody is interested you can PM me.

[wilson6]

I should clarify, yes I would expect ripples were the implant meets the skin, but not where they are covered by the muscle. I don't think there is a saline implant out there that won't ripple when under the skin of a very lean woman, and very lean starts around 12-14% depending on bodyfat distribution.

I think what BabyDoc did is the way to go in bodybuilders and lifters with solid pecs for the most natural look possible.

Personally I think Dawn Whitham had pretty much the best looking boobs for her size when she had the 800 cc implants. If anyone wants to see her journey from nothing to 4000 cc implants, check out this site.

http://www.ctol.net/~dwhitham/breast.implants.html

Another pic of Dawn below. These are 800 cc over the muscle silicones. Barely see any ripples especially with the lighting that would bring them out if they were there, and she's not much over 12% bodyfat. It is also interesting that they don't look like 800 cc's given her upper body size, but the fact that they are silicone and don't have the projection also makes a big difference.

That's Dawn pictured in the original photo set as well, top right pic. As perfect as implants can get in my opinion on a lean muscular women.

[lil k]

wilson, this is great...thanks for everything

[MrsPuddlesFL]

The thing that scared me when I considered overs is that in time the skin will stretch and the boobs will sag, especially with larger implants. Since I was already going in for a lift I didn't want to have to go through that procedure again years from now. But, as it turns out, I am having my lift re-done around the end of the summer/early autumn. My implants are fine...one is still a bit higher than the other, but the doc. will fix that when he goes back in if it doesn't match up by then. There's not a huge difference, but I see it. My infections didn't do well. The staph was taken care of with medicaiton, but for some odd reason, my body rejected the disolvable stitches. The stitches should have disolved at 6 weeks, but even 3 months later I wound up having remnants come out. I developed little infections where many of the stitches were, then it would open and form a hole which would drain. Some of them healed up just fine but some have not. Then to top it off, after all of the swelling went down we see that the lift was not done high enough to begin with. I think I swelled pretty quickly during surgery because my skin could not have been pulled any tighter than it was when I came out of surgery. When the lift is done again, we will be using different stitches, regular old fashioned ones that will need to be removed. My surgeon removed a cyst for me in the middle of my chest using those stitches and no problems. :)

The complications from surgery kept me from being able to lift at all for a while except for legs. I'm finally training pretty much like normal now but still some things aren't nearly as good as they were prior to surgery. The side that had the staph infection hurts at the bottom of the muscle...even when I do skull crushers. I also still can't do any pull-ups and I had been able to do 2-3 right before surgery. Tonight was the first time since surgery that I was able to train hard enough to get a pump going in my back.

[wilson6]

"The thing that scared me when I considered overs is that in time the skin will stretch and the boobs will sag, especially with larger implants"

Sure if you run around without bra on constantly and perhaps jog or do aerobics without a bra.

Considering implants have to be replaced every decade or so regardless, if they sag a little with time, that can be fixed with they need to be replaced. Ms Wilson has had 650 cc implants for around 5 years now, no evidence of sag to date.

W6

[scfitnessgal]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by MrsPuddlesFL
[B]The thing that scared me when I considered overs is that in time the skin will stretch and the boobs will sag, especially with larger implants.


can I ask what your age is?

I am definately getting overs in 12 days.

I am really excited and there is no time for me to get scared now.

Laugh. HELP....Shell

[wilson6]

SCG,

You'll be fine with overs. Relax.

and....another pic of why I don't care for under the muscle. Picture this female without clothes, same pic and then compare that mental image to the earlier pics I posted, top right (same pose) Dawn Whitham with silicone over the muscle. One looks natural, the other not.

[scfitnessgal]

Thanks Wilson... I appreciate it. Shell

[MrsPuddlesFL]

I'm 37, SC. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you. I think much of it is just genetics as far as the skin sagging goes. I'm only going by the women who I've personally spoken with and my own experience. My own skin does not have good elasticity. When I was pregnant my belly got covered in stretchmarks and when I went down in size the skin remained loose. Same thing with my boobs, they sagged terribly. My mother is the same way. I've seen other women who have had multiple births and never got a stretch mark and their skin shrunk back into place. I just know that for ME overs would not be a good option at all. I also didn't want to worry about future mamograms not coming in clearly...with over's they have to do them differently using ultrasound which supposedly isn't as good. I also have a lot of natural breast tissue (I was a small D cup prior to surgery) so going under keeps my breasts feeling and looking more natural than overs would.

[scfitnessgal]

:)

Well hello everyone..Mspuddles thank you for your last response.

WELL GUESS WHAT I LEAVE FOR FLORIDA TOMORROW.
I HAVE MY SURGERY IN 7 DAYS.
I AM SO SCARED,

YALL ALL WISH ME LUCK AND GOOD LUCK TO ALL OF YOU!

THANKS FOR ALL THE REPLIES TO THIS FORUM...Shell :lol:

[MrsPuddlesFL]

Enjoy your vacation and bring an umbrella...it rains here every day!

Try not to be scared. You're going to love your new boobies. :) And going with overs...well...you won't be in too much pain post-op. That's a huge plus!

[scfitnessgal]

I HAD IT DONE... I LOVE THEM SO MUCH...

I ENDED UP WITH 800 CC over the muscle, smooth, round, saline, areaola incision.


I LOVE EM <<<<< I LOVE EM

[wilson6]

SC Gal,

You probably now realize that 800 ccs isn't as big as it sounded not that you have them in. Even less when all the swelling is gone. They look like a good fit for the size of your chest.

W6

[Hazcat]

Looks great!

[scfitnessgal]

Thank you very much.

No they are not big enough..LOL...

Actually I am kidding.
I am very happy with the results so far.
Have a great day.. Shell

[trish]

Originally posted by scfitnessgal
I HAD IT DONE... I LOVE THEM SO MUCH...

I ENDED UP WITH 800 CC over the muscle, smooth, round, saline, areaola incision.


I LOVE EM <<<<< I LOVE EM
they look really pretty! CONGRATULATIONS!!! i have 800 cc silicone under the muscle....i love them(could be bigger though):)

[scfitnessgal]

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU. Shell

[exoticgoddess]

Ladies, please feel free to post your experiences you have had
with your implants. Knowledge is the key to making the right decision to having augmentation.

Hello ladies,
I am new to this forum. Greetings to all.
I got my implants last May and will be going for my
redo 2/14. I will be going bigger, which is what I
originally wanted. :) I have been working out my arms
and taking it light for the next couple of days before my redo.

I got unders, below the muscle mcghan 68 moderate profile.
I am redoing to 510 cc's which should bring me to a Full D.
:)

BTW How do I get an avatar?

I have a slim athletic build and had no breasts @ all.
Getting a BA was a feminine experiance for me.

Just wanted to share that.

exotic

[Mimi]

Hi, My name is Mimi and I am 40 years of age - I had Mentor Saline Filled - Style 2800 Round -275cc - textured implants (over the muscle) for the last 12 years and recently had them replaced and am in a Silicon-Filled Breast Implant Adjunct Clinical Study by Mentor/Inamed. I had my revision surgery on August 30, 2005. I now have 390cc moderate profile Silicon Gel Implants, not textured above the muscle. The reason I had a revision surgery after all this time it that I had gotten pretty unsightly wrinkling - I think a part of this had to do with me having my implants for so long and also the fact I am a marathon runner with not alot of body fat. I am not a body builder but I am very lean and have a more narrow chest. My doctor told me that if I went with Saline again, I would have the same rippling problem and I really did not want that - it was pretty bad. I was unable to go underneath the muscle because I had to much breast tissue or stretching from my last implants - I have pictures that I can post of me with my saline implants - they looked really fake, but sometimes that is fun and for the most part alot of times I was not to keen on them looking so fake. When I first got the Silicon Gel Implants I was very distraught - I forgot what real breasts looked like and I was not use to having any sag. Now I love them - when I am naked without a bra on, my breasts do hang a tad bit, but they make my body look very sexy and give the illusion that my waist is very small. I am very athletic - run 50 plus miles a week and don't have much body fat, so the more natural looking breasts did freak me out a bit, but I have to honestly say, I think these look much better on me. I know so much of all this is personal preference. I know sometimes it is very erotic and pretty in my opinion to see a woman with really fake looking breasts, but it depends on the womans body and preference. If I can answer any questions or help anyone, feel free to ask way - I too will post some pictures of my Saline Implanst as well as my Silicon Gel implants.

[tps]

bumo..great read.