Will athletic women w/pectoral muscles be in more pain after a breast implants? Will they take longer to drop and fluff?

Hello and thank you for your question.The recovery following breast augmentation with implants placed in a sub muscular position is somewhat more difficult for women who are in good shape and exercise regularly. This is due to the fact that the pectoralis muscle is larger and stronger. The use of muscle relaxer during the first several weeks aids in a comfortable recovery. The option of implant placement in the sub glandular or subfascial plane is a consideration for competitive weight lifter and bodybuilders despite the fact that there is a higher risk of capsule contracture. I would recommend a consultation with a plastic surgeon board certified by the American Board of plastic surgery Well versed in breast augmentation to discuss your options.Best wishes and good luck!Andrew Lyos M.D. FACS

Thanks for the question.Plastic surgeons have to discuss pocket placement with athletes in a little more depth, especially athletes who compete. Placing the implant under and over the muscle have their advantages and disadvantages.Regarding the athletic patient, like yourself, plastic surgeons do encounter a thicker and stronger muscle while making the pocket. That is why our athletic patients probably experience a little more discomfort right after surgery. The strong muscle can also slow the descent of the implant during the first few weeks.These are just generalizations and each patient has different pain tolerance and looseness of their tissues. These factors make everybody's experience a little different.The good thing is that the discomfort and tightness is temporary.Good Luck!

When treating women who are very athletic, I often recommend placing breast implants above the pectoral muscle rather than beneath it. This often results in a more comfortable recuperation and results that look and feel more natural. An over-the-muscle placement, however, may not be possible if you don't have existing breast tissue. 

Great questionThere is a new trend to avoid placing implants under the muscle especially for patients that are very active or in your case, a body builder.  The reason is multi-fold, first off the muscle is bigger and will cause an animation deformity in which can not be changed, second, there is 6 weeks of no heavy lifting or working out.This is why I perform the subfascial breast augmentation especially for women like you that are very active or are body builders.  This way you dont touch the muscle and therefore avoid animation deformity and dont need to wait for the implant to drop and can work out in 2-3 weeks with little to no post operative pain. 

smgassistant79.    I have a great deal of experience performing breast augmentation on bodybuilders, and I do not believe that you will experience more pain than average women who have this operation. Because of the increase size of the chest muscle, it may take longer for the muscle to relax and the implants to settle, but they all settle in quite nicely with a natural result. Be certain to consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon. Best of luck.

Post operative pain can vary tremendously.  I think that women who have had children and breast fed tend to have a looser tissue plane between the pec and the chest wall.  Athletic women do tend to have a tighter muscle overall and may take longer for the implants to loosen, however, I still think you can have an excellent result.  I find that adding muscle relaxants to your post op pain meds helps as well.  Good luck, Jane. 

I have not observed that athletic women have more pain when compared to those women who don't have a regular workout routine. I do believe that pectoral muscle exercise can affect the ability of the breast implant to drop and fluff. It may take longer for the breast implants to settle and you may have to massage longer.Best wishes, Dr. ALDO

Great question!  Typically, if a very athletic woman has some breast tissue (B cup breasts) then the implant can be placed on top of the muscle. This will eliminate the discomfort of the implant being placed beneath the muscle and will eliminate the animation deformity of the implants when the pectoral muscles are activated.  If the athletic woman has A cup breasts then the implant should/must be placed beneath the muscle.  Best wishes.

Thank you for your question.  Yes, athletic women with well-developed pectoralis major muscles do tend to have more pain and take longer to settle after a sub-pectoral breast augmentation.  However, the pain is very tolerable with adequate pain medication.  For body-builders, the recommendation is placed the implants above the muscle.  Another option is to perform a dual-plane sup-pectoral implant placement where the muscle is divided.  This will help to reduce the risk of an animation deformity after surgery.  It is very important the you consult with a board certified plastic surgeon so that he/she may answer all your questions and set the right expectations.  Good luck!
S. A. Earle, MD, FACS

Thank you for your question. As far as pain after surgery, every patient is different, and though a sub-muscular implant may be more painful, it’s difficult to say. Many women who are bodybuilders or avid weight lifters choose to have their implants placed sub-glandularly, as it reduces the chance of the pectoral muscles pressing on the implant and causing animation deformity. My best advice would be to schedule a consultation with a specialist plastic surgeon. They can examine you and offer recommendations for the implant that will give you the best possible results. Good luck!