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I Am an Avid Rock Climber; Will Going Submuscular Affect my Strength/distort my Implants? (photo)

I am 5'5", 120 lb with a muscular frame. I am a dedicated rock climber, and climb 4 days a week. I am interested in silicone implants to enhance my small 34b cup size, and provide me with more volume. I’d like to become a small C, and for my breasts to look as natural as possible however, I don't want to compromise my strength and flexibility, nor do I want my implants to become distorted (separated) over time due to my pectoral muscles. What are my options?

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17 Doctor Answers | Asked by cgood26

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Submuscular or Sumammary Implants For an Athlete?

Hello, Thank you for sharing well-taken photos. Based on what you have expressed and the type of your activity, it seems that the best way to go is to have a submuscular silicone implants that will provide you with a natural look and the least distortion possible. Also, submuscular implants should have little to no effect over the performance of your pec muscles hence your overall performance as a rock climber. That being said, please remember that commendable results require... more

Implant placement for very active athletes

Generally speaking I prefer to place the implant under the muscle when I encounter someone who is thin or has very minimal breast tissue. In your situation, if you are interested in only adding a smaller implant to go up 1 cup size, then I will recommend a silicone gel implant placed above the muscle. You wouldn't have to deal with compromised muscle strength or distortion from muscle movement. Another good option is to use anatomical shaped round based silicone gel implant which will get... more

Strength and submuscular implants

The long term results are significantly better with the submuscular implants. There is probably some loss of strength with the subpectoral placement.

Rock climbing and breast augmentation

Thanks for a great question. I almost always reccommend a submuscular position even in very active women, but your rock climbing passion is a hard to comment on, because I do think the pectoralis muscle is weakened some and more importantly-animation deformity or motion of the implant with use of the pectoralis muscle is not an uncommon problem. Your other option is to place a silicone implant over the muscle. Secondly though I do not personally perform this... more

Should Rock Climbers Get Breast Implants Above Or Below The Pectoralis Muscle?

Partially subpectoral breast augmentations have the advantage over submammary breast augmentations in very slender, muscular women. These advantages are: 1. less chance of rippling 2. less chance of capsular contracture 3. easier to read mammograms 4. more natural appearance and less chance of seeing the edge of the implant I have done breast augmentations on many competitive athletes including rock climbers, and I have found no loss of... more

Strength after implants

In general, most of my patietns are very active and going under the muscle in thin patients is usualy the best way to go. It usually does not impact overall strength once things have healed.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Sub muscular augmentation and muscle strength

Submuscular placement of implants risk slight weakening of the pectoralis major muscle. This is generally not an issue for most women, but can be if you are competitive, work out a lot, etc. Your anatomy and stated goals would lead me to recommend the sub fascial placement of implants. You should have an excellent shape with this technique and the benefit of a barrier between your breast tissue and the implant without disturbing your muscle function.

Above the muscle implant may be best for you

Placing an implant under the muscle usually does not cause any significant weakness, but you may be the exception. Avid rockclimbers may find that there is a small reduction in strength after a submuscular implant. More importantly, you may get a dynamic contraction deformity in which your implants get distorted with muscle contraction. You are probably best served by a subglandular implant.

Usually submuscular implant placement is best: you might be an exception.

It's a good question. One study published in 2004 examined women who had submuscular implants and found there was no loss of strength. Certainly I have treated many women who are physical trainers and athletes and this has not been a problem for them. However, it is true that exertion of your pecs can temporarily cause some visible flattening of your breasts. If you want to be assured that won't happen, you could elect to have your implants placed about the... more

Above or Below the Muscle for Very Athletic Women.

Dear cgood26, In my practice I spend a great deal of time discussing the pros and cons of going above or below the muscle in very active athletic women. Going below the muscle will leave you weaker to some degree no matter how careful the surgeon or how small the implant. I have also found that very athletic patients with well developed pectoralis muscles may have some flexion contraction deformity while exercising. Going above the muscle in your case may... more

Consider subfascial breast augmentation

Hello, Thank your for the question and the photos. You appear to be a very good candidate for breast augmentation using silicone implants in the subfascial position. Doing so will not impact your climbing activity. Your recovery will be faster as well. With your desired size increase and your current breast tissue thickness you are a great candidate for subfascial placement of the implant.

Best Implant placement for an Avid Rock Climber

You have asked a very good question. I would recommend a small smooth wall silicone gel implant placed on top of the muscle. This will give you a natural look, and your breast will not look distorted while rock climbing. Hope this helps!

Robert E. Zaworski, MD

4 reviews

Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

Best Breast Implant Position for Rock Climber?

Thank you for the question and and good quality pictures. The most important decision you make is choice of plastic surgeon as opposed to deciding about the best position of breast implant pocket. In other words, based on the amount of breast tissue that you have present, it is likely that you will end up with a very nice result assuming careful preoperative communication regarding goals and careful execution of the procedure by your surgeon. Having said that, (despite your... more

Breast Augmentation in the Athletic Patient

In a athletic patient, such as body builders or even climbers such as yourself, placing the implant on top of the muscle is probably the best way to go. Silicone implants on top of the muscle will definitely feel more natural than saline. The implants will to affect the function of your muscles. And for you, it's not going to take much volume to get you augmented from a small B to a small C. If you are looking for the most natural appearing breast after a subglandular augmentation, you may... more

Avid Rock Climber

I find that climbers are much happier with submammary or subfascial implants. Many very athletic women can be quite hyperaware of the submuscular implants when the they are doing upper body exertion. I would favor a modest sized silicone gel implant in the range of 250 cc, the actual chosen size to be determined at an in person consultation. It looks to me from these photos that you have enough fullness in the upper poles of the breast to tolerate above the muscle implants with a... more

Submuscular implants in athletic women.

Greetings, I warn women seeking breast enlargements with well developed pectoralis major muscles (pecs), that placing their implants beneath the muscles could result in downward and outward displacement of the submuscular implants with time. Women (athletic) with well developed pectoralis muscles are, in our practice, offered gel implants above their muscles to avoid issues of later unsightly implant displacement. The muscle division is also avoided with subglandular... more

Submuscular implants

A 2003 study measured strength after subpectoral breast augmentation and found no statistically significant loss of strength, but there was some loss, just not "significant" loss. This is consistent with anecdotal reports from most patients who report noticing no significant loss of strength, while a very few highly trained or competitive athletes may notice some loss of strength, thus it was significant enough in them to notice. I have performed... more