Hi Girls, I wanted to share my personal story with you, hoping to provide another perspective on implant placement for the Active Woman... I am 50 years old, 5'3", 110 lbs. I have been strength training for 30 years, and I'm a Personal Trainer by occupation.
My Pectoral muscles had become very developed over the years, thick & established 'mature' muscle. I never competed professionally, but maintained a very fit, athletic look year-round. I had a child 10 years ago, breast fed for 18 months, and lost what little breast tissue I'd had prior to pregnancy.
I had always been interested in getting implants, just to give my body a little feminine shape and to fill out my clothes better. I was terrified of having my pectoral muscles cut, and imagined that the process would be similar to placing an implant under a man's muscle. Keep in mind, I'm tiny, but the muscle was there regardless.
I did my consult, and surgery, with the most highly recommended Board Certified PT in my area. In fact, he had successfully and beautifully performed the BAs for several of my clients, friends and acquaintances - some of whom compete in Figure Competitions or who are very active in Cross Fit. I was confident that he was the right PS to do mine too. On all of my friends/clients, he had done the procedure using a Sub Pectoral pocket. This is what he recommended for me, as he's never had any problems with the healing process, or with his patients resuming their high level of upper body strength training, with no loss of strength or complications.
I decided to go with the sub pectoral procedure, using the 'Gummy Bear' cohesive gel implants @ 275cc. I was not going 'large', just to a B+, small C cup. I have to say that my new breasts came out beautifully and I was thrilled with the result. However, over the next few months I began to realize that there was a problem. My workouts began to suffer and I began to stop doing exercises that I had previously enjoyed. I found that each time I engaged my upper body to attempt a Tricep Extension, Plank, Push-up, etc... my pectoral muscles squished the implants down out laterally - they would basically appear to 'squirt' out under my armpits!!!! I was horrified...I had what is called 'Muscle Flex Deformity', or 'Breast Animation'. This condition continued to worsen, and caused me to become depressed and to feel awkward in any sexual situations. I wanted to 'cover-up', definitely not what I was imagining before getting the BA...
One year after the initial BA, my PS decided he wanted to 'fix' my problem. He had never seen this result in any of his patients before. We decided that the only way to correct this animation problem was to perform a revision and create a new pocket in the Sub Glandular position. I wish I had this information before undergoing my original augmentation. I would have avoided all the anguish and discomfort of the past year. We now have the surgery scheduled, and I will be getting 300 cc round, high profile, silicone implants. Now I'm hopeful that this will be my last surgery and that capsular contraction will not become an issue.
I am hoping that by posting my story, any women who are very active with their upper bodies will discuss their concerns with their PS prior to surgery. Most augmentations are done sub pectorally, which I believe is something to really consider because having this Muscle Flex deformity has not been a fun experience. I would seriously consider a sub glandular pocket if you are very active, just remember to stay with a smaller implant size to minimize visible rippling or implant visibility! Wishing all of you ladies the best of luck with your decisions & hope that I've helped someone by posting my story!!
My Pectoral muscles had become very developed over the years, thick & established 'mature' muscle. I never competed professionally, but maintained a very fit, athletic look year-round. I had a child 10 years ago, breast fed for 18 months, and lost what little breast tissue I'd had prior to pregnancy.
I had always been interested in getting implants, just to give my body a little feminine shape and to fill out my clothes better. I was terrified of having my pectoral muscles cut, and imagined that the process would be similar to placing an implant under a man's muscle. Keep in mind, I'm tiny, but the muscle was there regardless.
I did my consult, and surgery, with the most highly recommended Board Certified PT in my area. In fact, he had successfully and beautifully performed the BAs for several of my clients, friends and acquaintances - some of whom compete in Figure Competitions or who are very active in Cross Fit. I was confident that he was the right PS to do mine too. On all of my friends/clients, he had done the procedure using a Sub Pectoral pocket. This is what he recommended for me, as he's never had any problems with the healing process, or with his patients resuming their high level of upper body strength training, with no loss of strength or complications.
I decided to go with the sub pectoral procedure, using the 'Gummy Bear' cohesive gel implants @ 275cc. I was not going 'large', just to a B+, small C cup. I have to say that my new breasts came out beautifully and I was thrilled with the result. However, over the next few months I began to realize that there was a problem. My workouts began to suffer and I began to stop doing exercises that I had previously enjoyed. I found that each time I engaged my upper body to attempt a Tricep Extension, Plank, Push-up, etc... my pectoral muscles squished the implants down out laterally - they would basically appear to 'squirt' out under my armpits!!!! I was horrified...I had what is called 'Muscle Flex Deformity', or 'Breast Animation'. This condition continued to worsen, and caused me to become depressed and to feel awkward in any sexual situations. I wanted to 'cover-up', definitely not what I was imagining before getting the BA...
One year after the initial BA, my PS decided he wanted to 'fix' my problem. He had never seen this result in any of his patients before. We decided that the only way to correct this animation problem was to perform a revision and create a new pocket in the Sub Glandular position. I wish I had this information before undergoing my original augmentation. I would have avoided all the anguish and discomfort of the past year. We now have the surgery scheduled, and I will be getting 300 cc round, high profile, silicone implants. Now I'm hopeful that this will be my last surgery and that capsular contraction will not become an issue.
I am hoping that by posting my story, any women who are very active with their upper bodies will discuss their concerns with their PS prior to surgery. Most augmentations are done sub pectorally, which I believe is something to really consider because having this Muscle Flex deformity has not been a fun experience. I would seriously consider a sub glandular pocket if you are very active, just remember to stay with a smaller implant size to minimize visible rippling or implant visibility! Wishing all of you ladies the best of luck with your decisions & hope that I've helped someone by posting my story!!
