27 Feb 2026 | by Sean Doherty, MD, FACS
Deciding to have a breast surgery procedure is only the first in a series of decisions that you will need to make before you ever step foot in the operating room (OR). Patients are often surprised by this fact as so much of the chatter on social media is just focused on implant size. While any aesthetic procedure is only effective if it suits your individual anatomy, desired outcome and lifestyle, breast surgery for active patients can have some specific considerations. Whether you are a runner, a yogi or someone who does CrossFit, it’s important to customize your procedure so that it fits your workout routine. This may entail a smaller breast implant that is placed in the sub facial plane. Not only will an implant that is placed above the muscle have less impact on the strength and function of your pectoral muscles, but the recovery may be faster. This can be critical for those who work out intensely or professionally as it means fewer weeks away from the gym. Figuring out how your exercise routine may impact your breast surgery choices should always begin with an in-person consultation with a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon who specializes in breast surgery.
Breast Surgery Consultation in Boston
Body contouring has been an area of focus for my entire career so I have extensive experience in all aspects of breast surgery. This is always important, but it can be particularly critical when devising an appropriate treatment plan for a very active patient. I know what works and what doesn’t. During our meeting, I will listen to what bothers you about your body. We will discuss your medical history, family history, any prior procedures, how your body recovered as well as your lifestyle. The latter includes your workout regimen. It is critical that you be very honest about the intensity of your daily exercise routine as well as whether or not you can comfortably commit to the inherent downtime that accompanies any surgical procedure. Then, I will conduct a thorough physical exam to assess:
- Native breast volume
- Skin tone & texture
- Nipple position in relation to the inframammary fold
Breast Surgery for Active Patients: What to Consider?
If you are someone with an intense upper body workout, this may impact your choices in terms of breast surgery. You don’t want a treatment plan that could negatively affect either the strength or function of your pectoral muscles. For this reason, I will often place an implant above the muscle, in the subfascial plane, in very active patients. This may have the additional benefit of a shorter recovery. There are a couple of downsides. These include the possibility of:
- Implant rippling
- Implant palpability and visibility
- Less natural looking outcome
There are steps that we can take to mitigate these risks. They include choosing a smaller size breast implant and possibly adding fat grafting to the breast as part of your treatment plan. The latter can be a fantastic procedure for improving the shape of your breast and providing camouflage so that the edges of the implant are less visible and palpable.
Faster Recovery is Important for Active Patients
Sometimes, choosing a smaller implant means having to compromise on your desired outcome. However, most patients who work out intensely for personal pleasure or because it is their job find that any slight sacrifice in terms of breast volume is worth the faster recovery that typically accompanies a smaller implant that is placed in the sub fascial plane. But a faster recovery does not mean no recovery. I am extremely honest with my breast surgery patients about what constitutes a realistic recovery. You will not be doing any upper body work for at least 4-6 weeks. This can be a stumbling block. However, it makes no sense to spend the money on breast surgery and then screw up your results because you did not give your body the proper time to heal. To find out more about breast surgery, breast augmentation, or any other surgical or non-surgical procedure with Dr. Sean Doherty at Boston Center for Plastic Surgery, contact us today or call (617) 450-0070 to schedule a consultation.
