Best Type of Breast Augmentation for Petite and Athletic Woman?

Thank you for your question. Your surgeon knows the details of your case, so I would recommend following his advice. In my opinion, if you are very active, the subglandular placement is the appropriate placement. Submuscular placement is not good for very athletic, muscular patients. Rippling of the implants is more a function of saline versus silicone implants than of implant size: saline implants have a higher risk of rippling or wrinkles. 250cc is not too big an implant, and you won't have "golf ball" breasts as long as an implant of the appropriate footprint on the chest wall is selected. Breast implants are made in various height and width footprints to accommodate different body frame sizes.Good luck, and for more information about other choices to be made before undergoing breast augmentation, take a look at the Guide to Breast Augmentation on my website from the web reference below. I discuss common patient questions I receive, silicone versus saline implants, round versus anatomically shaped implants, smooth versus texturized implants, implant manufacturer, implant insertion incision location, implant location inside the breast, and more. 

This is a very
good question. There are a variety of
breast augmentation options from the type of implant to use and where to place
them.



Breast
augmentation with a silicone implant has become the most common in the United
States because it gives patients a much more natural appearance and feel than
patients can achieve with saline implants.



There are several
ways to perform the augmentation, as the implant can be placed through the
nipple, axilla or at the bottom of the breast.



In the United States the vast majority of breast
augmentations are performed over the muscle.
However there are certain situations where the implant is placed over
the muscle. The benefits of placing the
implant below the muscle:

1.More natural feel

2.More natural appearance

3.Less visibility of the implant

4.Placing the implant below the muscle also
decrease the chance that the patient will form scar tissue around the implant.



Patients that have their implant placed under
the muscle can resume all of their normal activity once they have completely
healed. I have many patients who
athletes that have had a breast augmentation under the muscle and been very
happy without any issues.



It is important to see your board certified
plastic surgeon to help guide you to an implant that will give you an
aesthetically pleasing breast.

I think that sub muscular implants via the armpit incision (transaxillary endoscopic) will work very well for you.  There is no reason to place the implants on top of the muscle based on your physical activity.

It's a great question. I strongly prefer under the muscle implants because the muscle provides another layer of camouflage for your implants. The muscle contours the top of the implant to give it a more natural slope and hide rippling of the implant. Implants under the muscle have a decreased risk of scar tissue forming around the implant (capsular contracture).  Also, breast cancer screening with mammography gives better images of breast tissue when implants are placed under the muscle. Although an implant on top of the muscle can be a good choice for some women, for very thin women there is not enough camouflage for the implant to look natural. When considering breast augmentation make sure you find a board certified plastic surgeon who will take the time to answer all of your questions and explain all of your options, so that you can decide if breast augmentation is right for you.

Breast implants are usually placed underneath the muscles to ensure natural-looking results. But if you have to flex your muscles on stage as a bodybuilder, you may consider sub-glandular implants.

         There
is no perfect solution to your problem and compromises are inevitable.  You’re athletic and muscular, which
makes distortion of your implants likely when exercising if there placed under
the muscle.  You have thin soft
tissue and ripples, folds, distortion, and capsular contracture are possible when
implants area placed on top of the muscle. 

 

         There
is probably no right or wrong answer for this problem.  I believe sub muscular placement of
smaller liquid silicone breast implants would represent the best option for
you.  It is true that you might
have distortion of your implants with muscle contraction, but this would
probably not significantly impact athletic performance and this aspect of your
life.  Smaller liquid silicone
implants placed in a sub muscular position would also give the best aesthetic
result. This combination would result in less rippling and a more natural
breast shape.

 

         Your
situation requires a detailed discussion with your plastic surgeon.  It is important that you know your
priorities and that you understand the pros and cons of your options.

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.

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.

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 implants and your lovely outcome will last longer, and you will experience fewer risks, because of the protective effect the muscle tissue seems to have on the risk of capsular contracture and on the risk of stretching of the skin.
In my opinion and experience (I have multiple professional athletes as patients, and they all have their implants under the muscle), most women would prefer to deal with the minor possibility of some breast distortion with pectoralis contraction than with breasts that look unnatural AT ALL TIMES because the skin has been stretched by an implant on top of the muscle, or because the scar tissue has tightened around the implant.

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"