Choosing to undergo breast augmentation is a highly personal decision and patients should carefully consider the procedure’s associated post-operative advantages and disadvantages. For example, women who are very active – runners, yoga enthusiasts, weight lifters, SCUBA divers, etc. – and choose to enlarge their breasts may face more disadvantages than women who are less active.

Runners

Women who enjoy recreational or competitive running as a part of their lifestyle should consider the amount of time that running must be sacrificed following breast augmentation. For proper healing to take place and to limit the risk of wound dehiscence, surgeons recommend that patients discontinue running or jogging for four to six weeks, sometimes longer. Additionally, patients that run before completely healing may be more likely to stretch the breast skin and/or experience “bottoming out,” a complication in which implants shift to a lower position within the breast. Although bottoming out typically occurs due to improper dissection of the breast pocket, the forceful up and down motion that breasts are subjected to when a woman runs may increase the risk for developing this complication. In this regard, implant size is another important factor for runners to consider. The added weight of large implants can also alter a patient’s posture, which can stress the spine and contribute to pain in the neck, shoulders, and lower back.

To help ensure long-lasting results, breast augmentation patients should confirm with their surgeon when healing is complete before engaging in strenuous exercise, and wear one or more high-quality sports bras when running, jogging, or participating in other high-impact activities.

Yoga Enthusiasts & Weight Lifters

Women who enjoy practicing yoga or weight lifting also need to consider how breast augmentation might affect their participation in these activities. Lifting weights and performing certain yoga postures require engaging the pectoralis major muscle of the chest. As a result, women need to think about implant placement and the risks associated with their different options: subglandular (behind the breast glands, but above the chest muscle), submuscular (below the muscle), or dual plane (partially below the muscle).

Active patients sometimes opt for subglandular placement because it does not require the dissection or detachment of the chest muscles, which typically results in less post-operative pain, a faster recovery, and the ability to return to a regular workout routine more quickly. However, subglandular implant placement can increase the risk for visible implant rippling. Below-the-muscle placement is often recommended for active women – particularly those with smaller body types and little existing breast tissue – although breast distortion is possible when the chest muscle is flexed. For other patients, dual-plane placement may provide a satisfactory middle ground.

SCUBA Divers

Similar to runners, patients that SCUBA dive should wait to be completely healed prior to diving, largely because the heavy tanks and straps that must be worn could affect proper wound healing. In some cases, this may mean waiting eight weeks or more. The pressure changes that take place when diving to varying depths should not affect the implants themselves in any way.

Ask a Board Certified Surgeon

Breast augmentation is certainly an option for physically active women, but it is important for these patients to consult a highly skilled plastic surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery that has extensive experience performing implant surgery on athletic women. He or she can suggest the implant size and placement that will best suit a patient’s specific lifestyle, level of activity, and aesthetic goals.

Katie Perry is an online content editor in the Tampa Bay area. She posts articles about plastic surgery topics and procedures including breast augmentation, breast implants, and more.

Katie Perry is an online content editor in the Tampa Bay area. She posts articles about plastic surgery topics and procedures including http://bayshoreplasticsurgery.com/ breast augmentation, breast implants, and more.

Author Bio: Katie Perry is an online content editor in the Tampa Bay area. She posts articles about plastic surgery topics and procedures including breast augmentation, breast implants, and more.

Category: Wellness, Fitness and Diet
Keywords: breast augmentation, breast implants, breast enhancement, breast enlargement