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Breast Implants and Weight Training

jessicachuckran
Sep 3, 2015
2 min read

Last month I met up The Plastic Surgery Forum to discuss Breast Implants and Weight/Resistance Training.

CLICK HERE to read the full interview to go with the video below.

Having undergone the surgery myself, I have experienced all the ups and downs associated with the process.

In 2013 I underwent Breast Augmentation (BA) by a fantastic surgeon, Dr Ces Colagrande on the Gold Coast, QLD. I chose Dr Ces as he was one of the few in Australia who specialised in Brazilian (P.U.R.E) Implants, as they are the safest on the market with only 1% capsule contraction rate and the softest feel once fully healed.

Leading up to the surgery I had been resistance training for around 1 year and had built up quite a solid base of lean muscle mass, especially my chest (pectoralis major and minor).

Post-surgery I was in quite a lot of pain for a long time, and was limited to the size implant I could fit under the muscle (also known as dual plane), due to the built up thickness of my pectoralis major from many heavy bench pressing sessions over the previous year. It almost took 12 months for my implants to settle and take their natural shape, due to my pec major compressing my implants by flattening and spreading them to the sides.

I had attempted isolated pec exercises after the recommended healing time, but found that isolating the pecs thickened the muscle back up and compressed the implants again (BA under the muscle only). Not to mention it simply felt strange to train my chest post BA. After removing all isolate pec exercises from my program I found my implants settled much better and ever since I don’t perform any isolated pec exercises.

I have no imbalances in my physique and have been able to train and still build a symmetrical shape even though I no longer train chest. I also have the added bonus of natural looking implants when I lean down for fitness stage competitions, due to the pec major creating a natural slope over the edge of the implant.

Exercises that tone your chest but don’t overly develop it - For e.g. seated overhead Dumbbell Shoulder Press or Barbell Military Press with a slight arch to your back will mainly target your front and side deltoids (shoulders), as well as your triceps, biceps, serratus anterior and your pectoralis major (chest).

Other tips I would suggest are: once you have decided you will be undertaking BA, stop training your chest (if under the muscle) and allow the muscle to gown for an easier post-op healing process.