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Pectoral Implants
If you were born with a congenital defect or have suffered an injury, or if your pectoral muscles do not respond to exercise, an option could be pectoral implants. Silicone pectoral implants will enlarge the bulk and projection of your pectoral muscles, but will not improve the definition of your muscles.
Increasing the definition of your pectoralis muscles must be accomplished through exercise. Do not expect pectoral implants to improve the definition of your pectoral muscles.
By "definition" we mean the ability to see the outline of the muscle through your skin. Some men have such well defined pectoral muscles that you can see a clear distinct edge of the muscle. Remember, pect implants will increase the bulk of your muscles but will not alter their definition.
What does it cost?
The total cost of surgery, anesthesia, implants, and the facility (office or hospital operating room) ranges from $4500 to $5500. The cost varies from surgeon to surgeon and according to where they practice.
What happens during a procedure?
Chest implant procedure takes from 1 - 2 hours. Your surgeon may perform the procedure endoscopically or manually. Surgery is performed under general anesthesia or very heavy sedation.
A small incision is made in your armpit and a cavity is created under your pectoralis muscle. The muscle is not divided from its attachments to the rib cage or breast bone. A solid silastic implant (chosen based on measurements made prior to surgery) is placed directly beneath your pectoral muscle.
Are there risks or potential side effects?
As with any surgical procedure there are certain risks such as a reaction to anesthesia.The risks are similar to those of breast enlargement in women, except that there is no risk of capsular contracture or deflation, since the implants are not filled. Since these are the most common problems following augmentation with saline filled implants, male chest enhancement is less likely to require secondary surgery.
Here are some other risks that can occur as a result of this surgery:- Displacement of your chest implant or implants can occur. If your implants are only slightly out of place, you may not notice, and it probably will not bother you. It is very unlikely for others to notice minimally displaced implants. If your implants are moderately or significantly displaced, they will most likely be too lateral (near the arm) or too high (near the collar bone). If this is the case, surgery will be required to move them back into position. Fortunately, displacement of chest implants is uncommon.
- Infection can be devastating if it occurs. The implant will probably have to be removed, and you will need intravenous antibiotics. You may even need to be hospitalized. After six months, a new implants can be placed. However, during that six month period, you will be asymmetric (assuming only one implant became infected and required removal). This asymmetry can be very distressing. If an implant becomes infected, it usually does so within 2 months of surgery. It is extremely uncommon for an implant to become infected after that. In general, the risk of infection is about 1%.
- Hematoma is a collection of blood around your implant and is due to bleeding that occurs after surgery. If you have a medium or large hematoma, you will require surgery to remove it and to search for the source of bleeding. (Often, no source is found because the bleeding has stopped by the time surgery is performed). Risk of hematoma is also about 1%.
- Seroma is a collection of body fluid around your implants. Most people develop seromas immediately after surgery, and their bodies reabsorb the fluid spontaneously. In rare cases, the seroma may persist and may require evacuation with a needle or surgery.
- Numbness of your inner upper arm may occur as a result of the nerve becoming disrupted, stretched, or cauterized during surgery. Often the feeling will return within a few months. If it does not, you may have numbness in this area forever. If so, you will become accustomed to it within a year, and it is unlikely to bother you. The risk of this is about 1%.
If you have a complication from your chest implants and decide that you simply want them out (or if you want them out for any reason), removal is relatively simple. It can be performed through the same incision, and recovery is faster than recovery from the original surgery.
What to expect post-procedure?
You will be allowed to go home the day of surgery, but prepare yourself for considerable soreness for the first few days after surgery. It will take a week or so to resume normal activity and full activity is restricted for up to six weeks. Your dressing and sutures will be removed in a few days. Do not perform any lifting or aerobic exercise for 4 weeks. After a month, the scar usually fades. Don't take any aspirin within the first week. This can result in greater bleeding and possible bruising.
Who performs it?
This surgery is normally performed by a qualified plastic surgeon.
Are you a good candidate?
The best candidate is one that has realistic expectations for the outcome of the operation. You are also a good candidate if you:- Have had an injury to the chest
- Were born with a congenital defect
- Have a chest that remains underdeveloped even though you exercise
- Are in good health
How to prepare for surgery?
Your doctor will give you specific instructions to prepare for surgery but here are some general guidelines:- Stop working out for 2-4 weeks prior to surgery to reduce bleeding and postoperative discomfort.
- Avoid aspirin, any aspirin containing medication or any other non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAID), such as MotrinŽ or AdvilŽ, for two weeks prior to treatment. Because aspirin thins the blood, it can interfere with normal blood clotting and increase the risk of bleeding and bruising.
- Smoking inhibits the healing process, so stop smoking before your procedure and if you start again, make sure it is after you are completely healed.
- Avoid drinking alcohol a few days before your surgery.
- Make sure to follow any fasting instructions the night before and morning of your surgery. Your doctor may insist on an empty stomach depending on the type of anesthesia.
- Make sure that you arrange for someone to bring you home and to help you out for 24 hours after surgery.
Locate a certified physician with our Doctor Locator.
To view Personal Stories about this procedure contributed by our members, Click Here.
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