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Best Type of Breast Augmentation for Petite and Athletic Woman?

asked 2 years ago by orakle in Canada
Latest answer by Michael Law, MD
Question viewed 3,960 times
Tags: 110-129 lbs, 5 ft 0 in to 5 ft 3 in, 250-299cc, athletic, petite, submuscular

Hi, I am 5'1" tall, I weigh 115lbs. I am very healthy and active. I currently wear a 32 A bra. I have two children (breastfed). An average week for me consists of running 5x, gymnastics 1x, yoga 1x and strength training 1-2x. My doctor has suggested that with my lifestyle, I should get gel Breast Implants in the subglandular placement with 250cc. After reading everywhere, many doctors say that with such a small frame, the implant will be noticeable and I will have rippling. But my doctor says I cannot work out hard with submuscular? HELP! Afraid of golf ball boobs!

22 answers to Best Type of Breast Augmentation for Petite and Athletic Woman?

Breast Augmentation for Active Women

I 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... more

Michael Law, MD
Raleigh-Durham Plastic Surgeon

michaellawmd.com

Sub glandular implants

As usual, there is more than one way to do a proceedure. I have been doing implants for over 30 years and have put them over the muscle and under the muscle. I find that silicone implants look great under the breast( over the muscle) if you are athletic and exercise, under the muscle can deform the breast when you exercise or use your pecs. You only get tennis ball breasts if you develope capsule contractures. There is no right or wrong answer -- but I am usually right.

William B. Rosenblatt, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Breast implant placement

Orakle- Every woman’s body is different and because of that the only person that can talk with you about the size and placement of your implants is your surgeon. I prefer to place breast implants under the muscle as I believe it achieves a more natural look, less interference with mammography and minimizes the appearance of rippling. Talk with your surgeon in length about your desired results and voice your opinions and concerns.

Joseph G. Bauer, MD
Alpharetta Plastic Surgeon

Silicone gel implants (above or below the muscle) are preferred over saline implants in petite women.

Silicone gel implants look and feel more natural than saline implants in small thin women. A recent study concluded that rippling with gel implants was no more likely above the muscle than below it. I think your surgeon gave you good advice. The only obstacle you face preventing a beautiful result is capsular contracture over which your surgeon has little control. In my experience, about 1 chance in 25 that you will have a significant contracture.

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

Pocket location for implants

In a very thin woman without a lot of breast tissue, I prefer to place implants under the muscle or what some call through a biplanar approach. This gives more soft tissue coverage in the upper pole.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Breast augmentation placement options for petite woman

It’s hard to say without a photo which placement fits you the best. There are various factors regarding how you want your breasts to look and feel, but if you and your doctor have a good, open line of communication, you shouldn’t need to go back and forth on your decision. A major factor that effects how breast implants look and feel is whether they're inserted over or under the chest (pectoral) muscle. Traditionally I do a submammary implant, inserting the implants under the... more

Michelle Copeland, MD, DMD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Breast Implants under the muscle for an active woman

Hi there- Although when placed under the muscle implants MAY lead to distortion of the breast with exercise, this is only noted when the breasts are exposed (as in a tight tank top), and does not have implications for the longevity of the implants, your health or comfort, and does not affect the beauty of the outcome otherwise... Further, when placed under the muscle, the appearance (whether during exercise or not) tends to be more natural and the feel of the breasts more soft. Finally, the impl more

Armando Soto, MD
Orlando Plastic Surgeon

Under the muscle would be best over the long term

I believe that you would do best with silicone implants under the muscle. This would reduce the risks of palpability and capsular contracture. I think that you will have a better overall shape with a more natural transition from your upper chest to your breasts. Later in life, if you need a lift, the procedure is safer as the blood supply to the breasts (which comes in large part from the underlying muscles) has been preserved and shaping of the breasts can be accomplished with less risk... more

Michael D. Yates, MD
Huntsville Plastic Surgeon

Muscle exercise after breast augmentation and avoiding the "fake look"

If you are afraid of golf ball boobs, I would recommend moderate to moderate plus profile silicone gel filled prostheses placed under the muscle to soften the appearance of the implants and create a tapered look. This will mean that you will have to limit your exercises to avoid pushing the implants outward. This generallly consists of wide grip bench press, wide push ups, butterflies and the "pec deck"

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Fore! Keep exercising after under the muscle implants

Your surgeon's plan for gel filled implants placed under the muscle is a very reasonable one and the most likely to give you a natural appearance. I don't know what "cannot work out hard" means, but the only patients that I recommend against submuscular placement in are body builders and professional athletes. Anyone less will never notice any functional change in their pectoral muscles. As noted, you may see some implant movement when exercising the pectorals after submuscular... more

Kenneth R. Francis, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Breast Augmentation placement

I am not a fan of above the muscle placement due to the higher likelyhood of palpability/visibility, contractures, sagging,though it is an acceptable option. On the other hand, under the muscle may be an issue if you do a lot of pec work (implants will jump up). I would still consider under, as the benefits, I believe outweigh the down side. Silicone implants are a good choice, and 25 to around 300 seems to be a good range for you, and will allow you to continue your activities.... more

Scott E. Kasden, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon

Special considerations for breast augmentation in athletic women

There is no question that thin athletic women have special issues to consider for augmentation. Under-muscle implants are prone to what are called animation deformities, and over muscle implants tend to look fake regardless of the implant type. I have had a special interest in cases like yours and developed an alternative called the split muscle method, which balances these competing issues. What many patients don't realize is that using traditional methods for putting the implants... more

Richard Baxter, MD
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Breast Augmentation for petite, athletic woman

I think that you will achieve your best result with a silicone implant placed beneath your pectoralis muscle. I agree that you will be more likely to have some rippling which is visible if your implant is placed in the subglandular position. You must be prepared, however, for a period of at least 3-4 weeks in which you refrain from your vigorous workouts.

John Whitt, MD
Louisville Plastic Surgeon

Best location of breast implants in a small, physically active woman

Breast implants are placed below the pectoralis muscle for a variety of reasons. The incidence of capsular contracture is lower and the muscle is an additional layer draped over the implant so that the implant is less visible. The downside of this placement in a thin, physically active patient is that the implant will be squeezed by forceful use of your pectoralis muscle. Once you have healed, this squeezing will not disrupt or damage the implant, or move it out of place, but using your... more

Elizabeth Lee, MD
Bay Area Plastic Surgeon

Over the muscle breast implants good for very athletic women.

Hi. 250 cc's might be a litte large for you, but otherwise your doctor's plan for your breast implants is good. Moderate plus profile, round, smooth walled, cohesive silicone gel implants should feel natural and hardly ever ripple.

George J. Beraka, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

I would suggest silicone implants sub-muscular

Based on your description and you desires I would suggest submusculr silicone implants.The size will depend on the amount of skin and breast tissue and your breast base diameter.

Kamran Khoobehi, MD
New Orleans Plastic Surgeon

Athletic Lifestyle and Breast Augmentation

With the athletic lifestyle you describe, I agree with your doctor that sub glandular positioning of the implants is probably the best option. You can avoid the "golf ball boob" look by choosing a gel implant (to minimize the risk of rippling) of appropriate size to give you a natural shape without too much projection or upper pole fullness. Sub-muscular positioning would give a softening effect in the upper pole profile to a small extent but would probably not be worth the... more

Robert C. Bledsoe, Jr., MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon

Breast Implants and Athletic Women

In women that are muscle builders and do extreme bulking, implants below the muscle can be a problem. Most other athletic women will do better to put the implant below the muscle. I ask my patients not to emphasize the strengthening and bulking of the chest muscles but they can do everything else they desire. With your petite status and thin tissue coverage I would recommend the silicone implants. Be wise with your size selection and you should get a nice result. Best Wishes Dr. Peterson more

Marcus L. Peterson, MD
Saint George Plastic Surgeon

Breast Implants

There is not an ideal breast implant that is one-size-fits-all. Also there is not one technique the is appropriate for all patients. The decision really depends on the evaluation and in consultation with your plastic surgeon. If you post pictures, we may be able to give you more specific advice. Good luck.

David Shafer, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

www.ShaferPlasticSurgery.com

Breast Augmentation for petite and athletic woman

Great question! In part Dr. Aldea is correct as to the ripple effect. I recommend smooth round high profile silicone implants. As for the placement in a VERY active athletic woman. If placed under the pectoralis major muscle you have 2 main issues. The first, you will not be able to 'work out' for 3 to 6 weeks, bummer. Second, when you do exercise the implant by the action of the pectoral muscle will shoot laterally toward your armpit. Versus above the muscle placement can look a little... more

Darryl J. Blinski, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon

The IDEAL Breast Augmentation in a thin athletic woman

While I agree with the use of silicone gel implants, I respectfully disagree with your surgeon. ALL breast implants ripple with saline filled and textured implants rippling more than smooth or gel filled. For this reason, the vast majority of implants are best placed under the muscle NOT over it. (The "golf ball" or "melon" look is the classical result of poor cover over encapsulated (IE scarred) over the muscle implants). In my opinion, the best look and natural feeling... more

Peter A. Aldea, MD
Memphis Plastic Surgeon

Breast implants in athletic women

I would recommend submuscular placement based on your description of your body frame. Subglandular implants will be very noticeable in you, as you probably don't have enough body fat to camouflage the edges. Gel implants are less likely to ripple and I agree with the recommendation to use them. You can work out with submuscular implants, but you may notice some movement when flexing the chest muscles. This will be noticeable only if you work out naked. :) Good luck, /nsn. more