Women turn to breast implants to enhance their contours and achieve their ideal body shape, and many of these women are dedicated to maintaining these physiques by following strict and consistent exercise routines. While breast implants generally do not interfere with a woman’s ability to exercise, there are some considerations for women who are heavy weightlifters.
What Is Your Level of Weightlifting?
Weightlifting provides many health and body-contouring benefits. For the majority of women with implants, regular exercise with weights will not affect the implants. The only women who might need to consider their options for breast implants are female bodybuilders. While bodybuilders can still achieve top-notch results with breast implants, placement choices and implant options play a much more significant role than for a woman who lifts weights recreationally.
There are two options for implant placement: submammary and submuscular. Submammary placement means that the implants are situated beneath the fatty tissue and mammary glands but above the chest muscle. Submuscular placement is when the implants are inserted beneath the chest muscle. Both of these placements have pros and cons, and one is often better suited for each augmentation candidate. For weightlifters and bodybuilders, submammary placement is the ideal choice. Although not always the case, submuscular placement can run the risk of interfering with muscle movement. Submammary placement does not have this risk, and you will find that you will be able to continue your practices with no implant distortion or discomfort. Submammary placement also requires less downtime, meaning less time away from your weights.
Bodybuilders and weightlifters should also be cautious about their choice of implant material. Both silicone and saline implants are possible and safe for weightlifters; however, saline implants are more prone to rippling than silicone implants, and this issue may be increased with the constant movement and stress that weights bring to that part of the body.
Consider the Size
Women who enjoy active lifestyles, whether it be sports or weightlifting, often benefit when they choose a moderately sized implant; however, all women should keep their natural body frame and activity levels in mind when they select the size of their implants. If you choose a small implant, you may be dissatisfied with the lack of change in size, but an implant that is too large may overwhelm your frame and interfere with your active lifestyle.
If you are interested in learning more about your implant options and how they can affect your active lifestyle, contact Coastal Plastic Surgeons at 858-365-3558.