Will Breast Implants Affect Exercise and Activities Such As Crossfit, Competitive Paddling, Golf?

After you have recovered from the breast augmentation you will be able to return to any athletic activity that you engaged in prior to the operation.

There is a general answer to your question, and then there is a more specific answer.  The general answer we tell our patients who are athletic and contemplating a breast augmentation is that most patients do not notice any significant change in their athletic performance after they have completely recovered from their surgery.  This is generally true.

However, we have had patients who compete in sports at an elite amateur or a professional level.  For these patients, even a slight change in their body can have a small but perceptible effect on their stroke, speed, balance, etc.  In most cases, the athlete can adapt to these changes with practice over time.  

However, each case is unique and a function of the sport, the patient's physique, and the idiosyncracies of her form and technique.  As a general rule, if you have any concerns about the effects of the breast augmentation on your ability to perform athletically, elect to choose an implant size toward the lower end of the size range you are considering. 

Dear dbj,Thank you for your post. In general, I ask my patients to keep away from aerobic activities in the first 2 weeks following surgery. Increased activity can increase swelling and hyper-swelling can cause stretch marks. Following this, 'non-bouncing' aerobic activity is fine, such as speed walking or cycling, but would like to keep the implants from moving too much until the capsule that forms around the implant has a chance to heal and become stronger. At 6 weeks, I clear any type of activity.  Since you are very active, you may consider placing the implants above the muscle.  I operate on many crossfit girls and they get great results above the muscle and this does not affect their activity or strength whatsoever.Best Wishes,Pablo Prichard, MD

 Thank you for the question.There are pros and cons to the placement of breast implants and the “sub muscular” position versus the "sub glandular position”.  There are also pros/cons associated with the use of saline implants versus silicone breast implants. I will try to outline some of the differences here;  you may find the attached link helpful as well.I think it is in the best interests of most patients seeking breast augmentation surgery to have implants placed in the “dual plane” or sub muscular position.  This positioning allows for more complete coverage of the breast implants leading to generally more natural feel/look  of the implants in the long-term. This position will also decrease the potential for rippling and/or palpability  of the implants (which may increase with time, weight loss, and/or post-pregnancy changes).
The submuscular positioning  also tends to interfere with mammography less so than breast implants in the sub glandular position. The incidence of breast implant encapsulation (capsular  contraction)  is also decreased with implants placed in the sub muscular position.On the other hand,  sub glandular breast implant positioning does not have the potential downside of “animation deformity” ( movement/ distortion of the breast implants  seen with flexion of the  pectoralis major muscle)  they can be seen with breast implants placed in these sub muscular position.  Also, the immediate recovery period may be  more comfortable  after sub glandular breast augmentation as compared to sub muscular breast augmentation surgery.  In your case, I would probably suggest the sub muscular ( dual plane) augmentation procedure understanding there will be a delay of many months before you can return to pull-ups, push-ups…  Remember also that there  probably will be some movement of the breast implants as your pectoralis contracts during exercise.  Also, given that you probably  will have very little adipose tissue/soft tissue coverage of the breast implants,  you may want to consider the use of silicone gel breast implants. I think that you will find, with  exception of some flexion animation/movement, that submuscular breast implants will not interfere with your training.I hope this, and the attached link (dedicated to active patients) helps.

Most of my patients are comfortable to return to a desk job or class in a matter of days.   So if you have your procedure on a Thurs or Fri, you should be fine to go to class on Monday.   But no heavy lifting or strenuous activity for 3-4 weeks.  I will clear my patients to start exercise as tolerated or resume heavy lifting in 3-4 weeks after their surgery *gradually*   The key word here is gradually.  You should be cleared to resume your activities without restrictions 4 weeks after your procedure.  Many of my patients have your activity level and some are semi-pro athletes or fitness professionals.  All have been able to return to their baseline strength and activity level without difficulty.  Please talk to your PS about his/her specific recommendations.  Best wishes.

Dr. Basu

Houston, TX