Breast implants rise when my muscles contract. Is this normal?

Question

Sub muscular saline. It is a very weird feeling when I use my chest muscles and the muscle contracts the implant moves upward. Is this normal? Will I adjust to this feeling? I have not gone back to training upper body in the gym and am worried this is inhibitory of full upper body lifting. Will this restrict my upper body weight lifting?

Martin Jugenburg, MD · Answer

As stated below any implant under the muscle will move to some degree when flexing\contracting your pec muscle. If it is bothersome I recommend seeking advice from your chosen surgeon. Best of luck.

Jose M. Soler-Baillo, MD, MS · Answer

Thanks for your question.The implants under the muscle are still attached to what is
considered the scar tissue surrounding the implant. As this muscle contracts,
this will pull on the capsul which causes the implants to move as well. This is
normal and expected. All the best and hope this helpsDr. JSB

David Shafer, MD, FACS · Answer

If you have sub muscular (under the muscle) implants then you can experience this phenomenon.  It occurs when the muscle contracts and pulls on the implants.  Two ways to correct this are to move the implants to the sub glandular (above the muscle) position if you have enough tissue coverage or to downsize the implant and sew the muscle back into place where it was lifted to accommodate the implant.  It's best to schedule a consultation to discuss your individual options.Good Luck.

Craig Rubinstein, MBBS · Answer

Hi LittleAl,Feeling a little uncomfortable and tight after sub-muscular implants is normal but as they settle, you should adapt and begin to feel normal - sub-muscular placement is our preferred method at our practice. Even natural breasts move when exercising the chest muscles. If you cannot avoid the exercises that are causing the excessive movement, it is possible to reposition your implants above the muscle. The type of implant you have (smooth, textured, round, teardrop) can also contribute to the positioning and movement of your implants. If you are becoming increasingly uncomfortable, I’d advise you to see your plastic surgeon.All the best,Craig

Kim Taylor, FRACS · Answer

HiAny implant placed under the pectoralis muscle will move (to varying degrees) when the muscle contracts.  This is unavoidable & should have been discussed with you during your consent procedure.  Return back to your original surgeon to further discuss & check what advice they give you regarding training & when it is OK to start back.  Kind regards

Jourdan Gottlieb, MD · Answer

It is difficult to offer precise advice without photos and some idea of how long ago was your surgery. With under the muscle implants, pretty much all patients have some degree of "animation" since the muscle contractions compress the implants and may either move the implants upward, or at least displace the contents upward. Very occasionally these are bothersome enough to lead patients to having revisional surgery.As to upper body workouts, I would pass the question to your surgeon who knows you, knows what was done, and has followed your recovery. Vigorous lifting can result in downward and outward displacement of the implants. Discuss with your surgeon. All the best.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

Yes, this can happen with submuscular implants.  Some movement is normal. If severe, you may need to have a revision.

Jordan P. Farkas, MD · Answer

Yes- unfortunately this is a very common and expected result from sub muscular placement of your implant. If it bothers you considerably you can opt to have the implant replaced above the muscle which so you don't have the animation deformity. Generally at the pre-operative visit I discuss the options of placing the implant on top or underneath the pectoralis muscle. Each has its advantages and disadvantages as your are experiencing. The implant displacement may improve over time. Might be worth visiting your plastic surgeon and discussing your issues to see what your options are. Good Luck!

Bryan Criswell, MD · Answer

Yes this is common. It is referred to as animation. It usually gets better with time. It is more likely to happen with submuscular placement, although I have also seen it with subglandular. Be sure your PS knows of your concerns, but if that is all that is happening, he or she will most likely just recommend patience and time.

Todd C. Case, MD · Answer

This is a very normal occurrence with implants in the sub muscular location.  Typically, patients get use to it and are not bothered by it by three months after surgery.  It will feel weird when lifting weight for some time, but should not prevent you from working out.  If you are doing heavy chest lifting, you find you don't have the same strength you had before since the muscle is stretched over the implant.  If you are not doing heavy weights then it shouldn't cause much of an issue.

Breast implants rise when my muscles contract. Is this normal?

Answers (10)

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