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How Much Exactly is Enough? BA Above Muscle

asked 5 months ago by AGD in Lexington, SC
Latest answer by Young R. Cho, MD, PhD
Question viewed 246 times
Tags: above muscle, A to B cup, athlete, implant size, recommendation

Greetings :)I'm a 5'8" tall, 143 Lbs former pro swimmer practicing boxing , mixed Martial Arts and Bushido.My actual size is more or less an A cup but I have some healthy layer above the chest muscle quite way up. Under the muscle implants somewhat a concern because I do push ups and I really don't want to end up with the implant in my armpit when I throw a healthy punch. The risk of getting hit is small. What I would like to know is how much is enough tissue. I'm looking for full B. Many thanks

17 answers to How Much Exactly is Enough? BA Above Muscle

Above or below the muscle for an A-cup breast

Whether to go above or below the muscle depends on several factors. One prerequisite is that you have sufficient tissue between the implant and the skin so the implant has some stable soft tissue coverage. This is usually determined by a pinch test in the upper part of the breast. A 2 cm pinch is usually the minimum to place the implant above the muscle. In addition, for someone like yourself, it is important to consider the potential visibility of the muscle on top... more

Young R. Cho, MD, PhD
Houston Plastic Surgeon

Implant placement for phyically active women

As you can see from my colleagues' responses, there is no consensus on what is the best placement for a breast implant in women who are very active, above or below the muscle. I personally recommend above the muscle to my patients and have achieved very natural results even with low body fat to camouflage the implant's edges. I suspect that different surgeons, using different techniques can get comparable results. So it is probably more important that you listen to... more

Margaret Skiles, MD
Sacramento Plastic Surgeon

www.featherriverplasticsurgery.com

How much for a B cup in an athlete for breast augmentation

For a one cup increase in your breast size, above the muscle is probably fine. To be sure, see a qualified plastic surgeon in your area for an evaluation including measurements and sizing for breast implants. Good luck.

J. Jason Wendel, MD
Nashville Plastic Surgeon

www.mc.vanderbilt.edu

Implant pocket location

In the majority of patients I place implants below the muscle, even in active ones. However if your preference is above, then this is certainly possible. Most surgeons would caution you to go over the muscle if your coverage is thin( less than 2 or so cms). Less than that you are more prone to get rippling.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

How much tissue is enough

I think you should do fine since you only want to be a B cup so putting the im[plants above the muscle should be ok.If you wanted to be big that might be a problem.

Robert Brueck, MD
Fort Myers Plastic Surgeon

Above or below the muscle implants in active female

You can see from the various answers that this is a vexing problems for us. Body Builders etc. have low body fat and breast tissue and very strong muscle bulk and strength. The "soft tissue" cover needs to cover the outline of the implants where the muscle strength can distort the implant when placed underneath. Sometimes Body Builders want large breasts to obtain an edge against other contestants. What does it mean for you: The plus side is you want modestly sized implants and... more

Guido P. Gutter MD
Evansville Plastic Surgeon

Physical lifestyle and implant placement.

For a woman with a very physical lifestyle, an implant placed above the muscle is typically preferred. Different surgeons give different answers when discussing how much tissue is "necessary" for implant camouflage. One such test is the "pinch" test of the upper pole soft tissue. Some people suggest under the muscle coverage if this pinch is less than 2 cm. However, all this is subjective. If you are looking for a "full B," a smaller implant on top of the muscle... more

David Bogue, MD
Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon

How Much Exactly is Enough? BA Above Muscle

Going to a full B should be very attainable in almost every case. It is a very modest size change in most women and the skin should accommodate very well. There really shouldn't be a problem to go under the muscle either, in my experience with very active patients but if this is your preference, then I think you should do fine.

John J. Corey, MD
Phoenix Plastic Surgeon

Silicone gel implants above the muscle is a good choice for an athletic female who wants breast augmentation.

Your very physical lifestyle would make me suggest an implant above the muscle. Silicone gel implants have fewer visible contour issues and I would recommend them over saline.

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

Breast Implant for active Person

Without a picture and tissue measurements, it is hard to give specific recommendations. However, based on what you describe and the final cup size you desire, silicone gel implants above the muscle may be a good option. This would best be discussed with a Board Certified plastic surgeon.

Karol A. Gutowski, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Implant placement

Even though you would probably do fine with a small silicone gel implant under the breast tissue. It sounds like you would have very little tissue coverage which can lead to a not real natural result. Even in patients such as yourself I will recommend a subpectoral placement for the implant. I have done this in patients that have been active duty military and competitive body builders who have had no problem. Never had an implant end up in the arm pit and all patients... more

Gary Hall, MD
Kansas City Plastic Surgeon

www.hallmd.com

You should be fine for "above the muscle"

Although most breast implants are placed "below the muscle" (actually really not fully below, rather partially covered by the pectoralis muscle), as long as you have adequate soft tissue, the implants can be placed "above the muscle" (subparenchymally, behind the breast tissue). Another limiting factor is the size you are trying to achieve. As you are 5'8" 143 and only looking to increase to a full B, you should have no problems with this approach. Good luck.

David J. Levens, MD
Coral Springs Plastic Surgeon

Best approach would be for silicone breast implants placed behind the muscle

Though you have not provided any photos, I am assuming that given the information that you did provide, there is probably very little soft tissue thickness of your chest wall. This would result in a very less than ideal result with implants placed above the muscle. Clearly, the only reasonable approach would be for placement of silicone implants behind the muscle. Do not consider saline breast implants.

Steven Turkeltaub, MD
Scottsdale Plastic Surgeon

www.turkeltaub.com

Breast Augmentation in Athletes

• Athletes for fitness or sport typically have relatively low body fat percentages and little breast tissue so coverage of the implant is limited. With this situation there is the possibility of visibility of the implant, specifically rippling. This can occur with silicone gel implants although it happens less than with saline. • Placing the implant partially under the muscle, which is how the procedure is performed most often allows an extra layer of... more

Ralph R. Garramone, MD
Fort Myers Plastic Surgeon

Breast implants above the muscle highly discouraged

I generally discourage implant placement over the muscle as they will stretch and distort your skin and tissue a lot quicker than submuscular placed implants. I understand that due to your 'lifestyle' implant displacement is probable; the risks and complications associated with implant over the muscle can be extremely unsatisfactory as well. Best wishes, Dr. H

Gary M. Horndeski, MD
Houston Plastic Surgeon

Breast Implant Placement for Athletes

Regularly perform breast augmentation surgery for patients who participate in body building, fitness and figure competitions. While many are initially concerned about sub-pectoral placement and the potential for distortion of the appearance of augmented breasts when the pec major contracts, I am absolutely confident that the aesthetic outcome for these patients will be far superior with implants placed under the muscle. A pre-pectoral implant in a slender patient, especially one with... more

Michael Law, MD
Raleigh-Durham Plastic Surgeon

michaellawmd.com

Position of Breast Implants?

Thank you for the question and description. Based on your fitness level I would be very surprised if you have any significant adipose tissue coverage of your rib cage. This is a good problem to have unless you are seeking breast augmentation. In general, I think it is in your best interests (and that of most patients seeking breast augmentation surgery) to have implants placed in the “dual plane” sub muscular position. This positioning allows for more complete... more