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What Female Athletes Should Know About Breast Augmentation

Posted May 31, 2022 in Breast Augmentation, Breast Implants

5 Minute Read: 

While we tend to think of female athletes as thin and more aerodynamically built, it is important to understand that they are first and foremost women. 

This means that many female athletes desire to have an improved body aesthetic, especially in regards to the size and shape of their breasts. 

Like any woman, female athletes can have a breast augmentation to give them the larger, fuller breasts that they desire. However, there are several aspects of breast augmentation that athletes need to consider before they undergo surgery. 

Beautiful woman with cleavage lifting weights while looking directly at the camera

Below, you’ll find some information to help as you start thinking about what improvements you’d like to make to your body.

What Can Breast Augmentation Give Me?

Breast augmentation surgery is one of the most trusted and transformative cosmetic procedures each and every year. In fact, breast augmentation was the fifth most performed plastic surgery procedure performed in 2020

Depending on the extent of the breast augmentation, including the size of the implants, women can see larger breasts with considerable increase in cup size and fullness, or they can see a subtle improvement in their breast contours and definition. 

Because female athletes tend to have lower percentages of body fat (due to their constant training), the size of the breasts tend to be smaller, which can cause many women to feel self-conscious. 

Instead of feeling different (or less feminine) from other women, female athletes can undergo breast augmentation surgery so they can have a more natural physique. 

What Do I Need to Think About for My Breast Augmentation Surgery?

For female athletes considering breast augmentation, it is important to consider what it is you want and what it is you don’t want. 

While choosing a large implant size will give you a much more dramatic transformation, it does have drawbacks for athletes. These include the breasts getting in the way while you work out or perform in your sport and/or causing you pain, either in the back from the added weight of the breasts or from a rash developing from the breasts rubbing against the surrounding skin. 

Because of these issues, many female athletes choose a smaller implant size to improve their contours while still allowing themselves the mobility and flexibility needed for their sport. 

Which Implant Material Is Better: Silicone or Saline?

One of the first things you need to consider is the implant material. Silicone implants are made of a poly(dimethylsiloxane) elastomer shell and filled with a silicone gel, while saline implants are composed primarily of saline, or salt water. 

While both implant types have their own advantages, you do want to consider a few things with them. First, if the implant ruptures, either from wear or physical trauma (which can occur in certain sports), it is much easier to detect in saline implants than in silicone implants. 

Additionally, your body will absorb the saline, while the silicone gel will need to be cleaned out by your plastic surgeon. While neither implant material will cause health concerns if the implant ruptures (since the cohesive silicone gel tends to stay in place), you need to consider which you would rather deal with as you have your implant corrected and replaced. 

However, that is not to say that saline implants are the way to go. Silicone implants tend to be softer than saline implants, which can be much more comfortable for women during physical activity, such as running.

Where Should the Implant Be Placed?

In addition to the implant material, the placement of the implant is just as important. There are two options for implant placement: submuscular and subglandular

Vector illustration showing the placement of breast implants, above and below muscle

With submuscular implant placement, the implant is situated below the pectoral muscle, which tends to hide noticeable signs of augmentation surgery. With subglandular implant placement, the implant is placed above the pectoral muscle but below the breast glands. 

Most athletic women choose the submuscular placement because the muscle helps with the support of the implant. An exception to this is women who are professional bodybuilders or weightlifters.

A drawback to a submuscular placement is that the implants can move away from the centralized placement, toward the sides of the breast while the muscles are contracted. This is called animation deformity. Conversely, with a subglandular placement, the implant moves along with the breasts, maintaining a much more natural appearance. Because bodybuilders contract these muscles so often, most find that the subglandular placement is more beneficial to them.

What Else Should I Think About for My Breast Augmentation?

One of the first things you should do when you’re considering breast augmentation is schedule a consultation at Ghere Plastic Surgery. 

During your consultation, you can ask Dr. Ghere any questions you may have about breast implants and the way they can improve your appearance and/or limit your physical ability. Dr. Ghere will be able to develop a plan for your augmentation and talk you through the procedure. 

Breast augmentation surgery generally requires four to six weeks for recovery. During this time, you need to refrain from any strenuous activities, including exercise and lifting weight. 

Additionally, during your recovery period and after, it is important that you wear a sports bra to help support your larger breasts.

Are There Any Other Procedures That I Can Have as an Athlete?

The aesthetic concerns of female athletes is not limited to their breasts. For other corrections, Dr. Ghere is proud to offer the following procedures:

Interested in Learning More?

To learn more about breast augmentation surgery or any other procedures we offer at Ghere Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, contact Dr. Ghere at her office at (225) 412-4774 or schedule a consultation with us online today!

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Mary Ghere, MD

4212 Bluebonnet Blvd., Suite A
Baton Rouge, LA 70809

Phone: 225-399-0001

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