Breast lift/augmentation for bikini competitor? - Is it best to wait until after the show when I'm leaner? (photo)

Based on your photos, I don’t think you need a breast lift.  In addition to enlarging your breasts, an implant will also lift them adequately by filling out the slightly loose skin.  Be sure to consider not only the implant size but the profile, which correlates to the forward projection of the implant.  Submuscular placement creates the most natural look and the best protection against scar capsule contracture, which is the hardening of scar tissue around the implant.  As for timing, I doubt that loss of a few pounds and associated body fat would make much difference in your choice of implant, so I would choose a time that allows 6 weeks for recovery before vigorous exercise.

Hello, it can take several months for implants to completely settle after breast augmentation surgery, so I typically advise those in competitive activities (bikini, bodybuilding, etc) to either have the operation well before the competition date or wait until it is over.  As for the issue of your body fat percentage, if you tend to gain or lose a lot of breast tissue with weight fluctuations it might affect the final result.   These are all important topics of discussion with your certified plastic surgeon.

Your recovery should be inside of 3 weeks so if you can take this amount of time off now, you can do it before the competition.  You do not need a lift to have a nice result, and this would limit scarring.  Depending on the competitions, if you flex alot, you may benefit from an over the muscle positioning.  

Thank you for your pictures and questions. I strongly recommend that you go see a plastic surgeon that is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery because cases like yours require a nuanced discussion. In regards to timing your surgery, I would recommend choosing your implants at a time when you are at a healthy weight that is able to be maintained long term. This would not be at your bulkiest or your leanest, as these are extremes that are not maintainable long term. As for time off after surgery this will change based on surgical technique and implant placement. I find fitness competition people a touch decision to make. On one hand, the dual plane (submuscular) position is ideal because it would provide you a more natural result and a better transition in the upper pole. On the other hand, it also can create significant distortion of the muscle and its activity, as well as animation deformity of the implant with movement of the muscle, which can be a really unfortunate appearance in a competition. In the end you have to talk with your surgeon over the positives and negatives and make a decision on which downside is most concerning to you or important for your goals. I would also discuss the lift with him/her in greater detail as it is going to depend on the implant, but most likely a lift is going to help you achieve your ideal result.Hope this helps!Dallas R. Buchanan, MD, FACSOwner & Board-Certified Plastic SurgeonVIVIFY plastic surgery

Based on your photos, you appear to be a candidate for having nice results from a breast augmentation without a lift. About the recovery, if the implants are to be placed under the chest muscle,  it is going to be more limiting in terms of physical activity. Sub-fascial and sub glandular placements allow for more physical capacity in the early recovery period. It is best to consult a board certified plastic surgeon who is experienced in cosmetic breast surgery in person and discuss your goals and options after a physical examination.Hope this helps,Ali Rıza Öreroğlu, MD FEBOPRASEuropean and Turkish Board Certified Aesthetic, Plastic and Reconstructive SurgeonIstanbul, Turkey

It won’t  matter at all when you have your surgery as far as your weight is concerned.  I think you could get by without the need for s lift.  It would be your choice.  Silicone or saline are both fine.   I recommend under the muscle around 350 to 425 cc’s.

I am not sure that I understand what does it take to be bikini competitor vs. body builder competitor?In some patients, who have very developed pectoral muscles, sub-muscular placement of implant (dual plane) may create deformity that is known as muscle band deformity; muscle band is visible across the middle of the breast because lower third of the muscle, which is released during sub-muscular implant placement, is contracted and forms tight, visible band. To avoid this, patients with muscular body should be considered for sub-glandular, on top of the muscle, implant placement. In person consultation with a plastic surgeon with good reputation in breast surgery and experience with both techniques is recommended. small lift should be considered. Good luck.

You have not told us your bra size or your breast size goals.  An alternative to consider is a modified Benelli lift.  Using a circumareola approach, the breast tissue is reshaped, elevated higher on the chest wall and more medial to increase your cleavage.  At the same time, fat transfers or small implants can be placed.  If you are size 32 or 34, each 100 cc of implant corresponds to 1 cup size change.  If you are size 36 or 38, each 200 cc of implant corresponds to 1 cup size change. Best Wishes,Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Hello and thank you for your question and sharing your photos. I believe you will have a nice result with implant only. In terms of activity post op, I tell my patients they can resume light activities at 3 weeks and full gym activities at 6-9 weeks. Best,

Pejman Aflaki, M.D.

Johns Hopkins-trained double board-certified plastic surgeon

The optimal timing for surgery is when you have reached a stable healthy weight with which you are content. As a competitive lifter, there is no stable weight (as you alternative between pre-show and post-show forms) thus the best recommendation is to have surgery when you are at your preferred weight (regardless of show). This is due to the fact that your size will have an impact on the choices you make with regards to volume and profile. If you pursue surgery at your leanest you are likely to undersize while surgery at your heaviest will have the reverse effect.As always, discuss your concerns with a board certified plastic surgeon (ABPS).Donovan Rosas MD
Board Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member: American Society for Aesthetic Plastic
Surgery, American Society of Plastic Surgeons
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