I'm a bodybuilder and I'm not sure if under muscle placement is best with lifting heavy weights. Advice? (photo)

Question

What's your recommendation over or under . I also want a natural look. I want over for lifting purpose. I'm 150lbs 5'7 and want a natural look . 350 was the recommended saline size . Will that make me a small d full c

Maisam Fazel, MA, MBBChir, FRCS · Answer

Thanks for your question. Under the muscle (dual plane) (especially at 350cc) will give you a more natural look but you may notice animation when you lift weights and occasionally, some patients may notice a small reduction in pec muscle strength.
Are you having a breast lift as well. From your pics, it may be something to consider?

Ted Eisenberg, DO, FACOS, FAACS · Answer

I have a couple of triple crown bodybuilders with under the muscle with no issues for competition. After I measure and discuss goals with my patients, we then look at pictures of women (my patients) with similar measurements with different size and style breast implants. They also get to see what they would look like when the breasts have fully dropped and fluffed and in clothes. You get to see actual results and the surgeon's experience and not a virtual idea of what can be achieved. Women tell me that this process is very helpful in determining what size and style breast implant is right for them. You should also be aware that results of surgery can change in the future with significant weight change and/or stretching of skin from the milk of pregnancy. Dr. Ted Eisenberg, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and Author. RealSelf Distinguished Hall of Fame. Philadelphia, Pa., USA.

Gerald Minniti, MD, FACS · Answer

For every other woman, I recommend subpectoral placement, but for pro/semi pro body builders I do not. However, saline would be a disaster. You should go with a highly cohesive silicone gel implant to diminish the inevitable rippling in the central chest area.

Donald R. Revis Jr, MD · Answer

Good afternoon!
I perform over 500 augmentations a year, and many of my patients are bodybuilders, fitness models, trainers, etc.- overs are fine if that's your preference, but many of my patients choose unders because over the long term they tend to look better and last longer and move more naturally. Over the muscle tend to get encapsulated, round and firm over the years. Size-wise I really doubt 350cc will take you to a D cup. I would measure your chest, we would review photos together, and you would try on the implant sizers here in the office, but I'm thinking somewhere in the 400s would more adequately give you a nice D cup!

Paul E. Chasan, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question.  A large portion of my practice is dedicated to revisionary breast surgery.  The worst combination of events that I see on a regular basis is placing saline implants on top of the muscle.  Over time, significant wrinkling appears, and the skin will stretch giving bizarre and weird shaped breasts.  I have performed breast augmentation on many figure and fitness/bodybuilder patients and have placed the implants under the muscle with an excellent aesthetic result.  More importantly, these results last and are much more stable.  In your case.  you definitely will need a lollipop type lift.  Best wishes to you.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear Beautiful255435,
I almost always place implants submuscular. It lowers the rate of capsular contracture significantly. In addition, it looks much more natural because the muscle provides covering over the implant so its not as round on the top. I've also noticed the implants drop less over time when they are protected under the muscle.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

As a bodybuilder, I augment professional athletes frequently. I think for those people in whom the living is made by athletic performance, the implant can be placed above the muscle. Other patients will be happier longterm with submuscular (dual plane) placement.
Breast IMPLANT size has nothing to do with BRA cup size - which varies with each bra manufacturer. The average implant volume placed in the US is 350cc. A very general estimate is that one cup size is 150 to 200 cc of volume, but realize that no direct correlation exists between the two.

Connie Hiers, MD, FACS · Answer

Since you do have some tissue, going over the muscle will work fairly well for you. You still may have somewhat of an edge showing through in the upper part.

Duygu Aksoy, MD · Answer

Hello dear patient.Probably your chest muscles are very tight and bulky. Under muscle breast implants may occur problems if you lift too heavy things. I recommend over muscle breast implants and breast lifting surgery for you.I do this type of surgeries too much. Best regards.

I'm a bodybuilder and I'm not sure if under muscle placement is best with lifting heavy weights. Advice? (photo)

Answers (9)

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