6 Factors Active Women Need to Consider Before Breast Augmentation

A woman’s body comes in many types – the classic hourglass figure, the runway model body, the athletic girl, the mom bod, and the bottom-heavy pear. Regardless of the type of body you have, one thing is for sure, you need your boobs.

Let’s say you are an athlete, which is totally fine. You train everyday, watch what you eat, follow a routine, and have a bit of muscles in all the right areas. Just because you are on the active side, it doesn’t mean you have to forget about your femininity.

Part of being an athlete is to make sure that you are at your best. However, you might feel apprehensive to go through cosmetic procedures to enhance your body features – and it’s not just about missed training. One of these cosmetic procedures is breast augmentation.

Here’s the truth: you can have them. It’s all about timing, preparation, and a couple of tips you need to remember before, during, and after the procedure.

1. Tips On Choosing A Doctor

The doctor or plastic surgeon is one of the most important factors you need to consider before you get implants. You need to find someone who is on the same wavelength with you and your fitness goals. If your chosen doctor tells you that you can never go back to training, then you need to look for someone else.

To help you better, here tips in choosing a good doctor.

• Visit Doctors. One of the best ways to find the best doctor for you is by visiting multiple doctors. Tell them about your expectations, fitness goals, fitness activities, and recovery period. As you talk to various doctors, you will be able to find someone you are comfortable with.
• Your doctor must be easily accessible. Even if you don’t have his personal number, at least he should be someone you can easily talk and go to in case of emergencies.
• Get Referrals. You could save time hopping from one clinic to another by asking recommendations from friends who also had breast augmentation.
• Ask Your Doctor About His Or Her Own Physical Activities. If your doctor is also on the physical side, thenthey are in the better position to understand you and your fitness goals.
• Your Doctor Should Offer Feasible And Realistic Options.They can give you the best recommendations, depending on your lifestyle.

2. The implant size

Now that you finally found your doctor, it is time to discuss the size of your implants.

Keep in mind that the size of your implants could affect your athletic performance and abilities when in the field.

At the same time, the added weight and volume in the chest area could interfere with your movement.

This doesn’t mean you cannot get implants. It’s all about choosing the right size for your body frame. Doctors suggest that a small to moderate size is more appropriate if you are physically active. This allows you to move freely and comfortably, sans all the restrictions.

3. The Material Of Implants

There are two types of breast implants – saline and silicone implants.

Silicone implants are implants filled with silicone gel.

It provides the most natural feeling for breasts, which is smoother and softer to touch.The downside is that ruptures are harder to detect.

This is why you need to schedule an MRI three years after your surgery and every two years thereafter to check if the implants are still intact.

On the other hand, saline-filled implants are silicone shells with salt water or sterile saline water. The shell will be inserted in your breasts then to be filled with the solution. Saline implants are less threatening because you could easily tell in case the implants break. However, this type of implants is more prone to wrinkling. In case of ruptures, you need to get medical attention immediately because one of the breasts will look deflated.

Which is appropriate for active women?

It depends on you. There is no definitive rule when it comes to choosing the best implants. It all depends on your body. However, if you want the more natural look, then silicone implants are your best option. This also minimizes the weight, which makes it easier for you to move around.

4. The Placement Of The Implants

This is crucial. In fact, this is the most important factor you need to look into before you go through breast enhancement surgery. After all, the placement of your implants could affect not just your movements and activities after surgery but also the recovery time.

You might ask why.

Your pectoral muscles are important in many physical activities. The placement of implants is vital because you want to make sure that they won’t impede any muscle movement. There are three implant placements you can choose from, including:

• Subglandular – This is the under the breast, over the muscle placement, which is between the chest muscle and breast tissues under the glands. It is less painful, minimizes interference with muscles, and reduces surgery and recovery time. However, this type of implant placement only works best if there is enough tissue coverage for the implants.
• Submuscular –This places the implant either partially or wholly under the pectoralis major chest muscle. It reduces the risk of capsular contracture and is easier to “move” when getting a mammography. This also makes implants more natural looking if you belong in the not-so-big breast size group. However, recovery could be longer and more painful.

• 

  Subfascial – This is the newest type of breast implant placement location. The implants are placed below the deep thoracic fascia or the plane that connects the muscles at the upper two-thirds of your breasts.
  This placement is preferred by doctors, since the implants are located beneath the muscle tissue. At the same time, there are enough breast tissues to cover the implants, which makes them look and feel more natural.

Among the three, subglandular or subfascial is the preferred choice for athletes like you. Both implant placement type do not affect muscle functions mechanically, minimizes the downtime and recovery periods, and works well with the pectoralis major muscles.

5. Recovery Period Pointers

Placing implants on your breasts is a surgical procedure. Therefore, you will need time to recover before you can get back to training. The question is, how long? The first few days are about rest and recovery. You will be able to feel normal and functional five to seven days after surgery.

You could get back to your normal routine and be able to do light activities. Again, the operative word is light.

You can go light jogging, walking and biking a week after the surgery. You could also move around and do the dishes or cook.

However, getting back in training may take a back seat for a few weeks. You need to allow your body, including the tissues and muscles, to recover before you can lift weights again. By the sixth week, you can go back to training, but spare your chest first. As soon as you hit the second and third month, you will be able to work out more normally without worrying about your implants.

Aside from the placement of implants, the key to a faster recovery is to be patient. If you start exercising too soon without giving your body enough time to heal, then you put yourself at risk and could lead to another surgery to remedy the situation. Relax and give your body time to heal.

If you want to stay in shape during recovery, the best you can do is to get enough sleep, allow your body to recover, stick to a healthy diet, and get rid of unnecessary cravings.

6. Know The Risks

All good things come with a price – and with risks. Apparently, breast augmentation is no exception.

The good news is, technology has improved both saline and silicone implants to minimize ruptures.

Doctors are also learning to reduce complications before, during and after the procedure. Still, this doesn’t mean you are safe.

You need to watch out for possible risks, which includes but is not limited to:

• Capsular Contracture – This refers to the formation of scar tissues around the breast implants, which cause the breasts to harden and look different. This also causes discomfort in the breasts area.
• Implant Migration – Although rare, this happens when the implants migrate and move to another area in your body.
• Rupture –This is a split, which happens in the implant’s casing. Damaged implants during operation, flaws in the implants, weakening of the implant’s outer shell over time are some of the many reasons why the implants break.
• Gel Bleed – This happens when small molecules of the silicone polymer get separated from the implant’s surface and goes to the lymphatic system or the surrounding tissues.
• Scarring – This could range from mild to severe, depending on how your body handles wounds and cuts.

Are Breast Implants For You?

No one is stopping you in case you decide to go for this procedure. However, just like any other surgical procedure, you need to consider many factors before you subject yourself to breast augmentation surgery.

In other words, weigh all your options. Take time to study everything you should know about breast implants. This will help you determine if getting them is the right thing to do.