Find our more about Pec Implants (Pectoral Augmentation)

Pec Implants (Pectoral Augmentation)

A cosmetic surgery procedure to shape the appearance and size of the pectoral muscles.

An incision is made in the armpit and a pocket is created in the fascia of the upper pectoral muscle. Once the implant pocket is created, a soft, solid silicone implant is sculpted to the exact size and most esthetic appearance. Usually, this sculpting requires vast knowledge from having placed many pectoral implants before, to know specifically how the final implant will look after healing. Once sculpted, the silicone implant is inserted into the pocket and it is secured with a few small self-dissolving sutures. The external incision is closed, and a very small dressing is placed under the arms to promote rapid healing. The patient can typically see the change to the pectoral area immediately after surgery.

During the recovery period, the patient is instructed not to lift their arms after surgery. When the dressings are removed the patient is told to follow a gentle exercise program for the next few weeks to permit a full and comfortable range of motion of the arms. This allows the pec implants to settle into the fascia pockets that surround the muscle. Generally within a week or two, physical use of the upper body muscles may be resumed and within one month, full pectoral muscular activity may be recommenced.

Surgical risks may include: infection, bleeding, asymmetry, scarring, and muscle and/or nerve damage.

PECTORAL IMPLANTS FOR CONGENITAL & PHYSICAL DEFECTS:

Spina Bifida (Spina Bifida Association of America) is a genetic birth deformity that can alter the bone and musculature of the body. While pectoral implants are not a cure for these ailments, they can provide anatomical balance in less serious cases. Depending on the extent of the defect, pec implants can help. Our surgeons are experienced in helping people with these ailments achieve anatomical balance through the use of pec implants because his skills in sculpting and placing the implants have been honed, from having performed so many implant procedures.

Pectus Carinatum (UK Pectus Excavatum & Pectus Carinatum Information Site) is a condition whereby bone development surrounding the thoracic cavity often leaves the person with a protruding sternum, giving the appearance of a 'pigeon chest', a poor descriptor, but one commonly used. The degree of PE varies from patient to patient. But in minor cases, pec implants can be used to offset the protrusion, masking the bone defect, and yielding a more normal appearing chest. Other musculoskeletal conditions associated with this defect are Marfan's Syndrome (National Marfan Foundation), and Poland's Syndrome.

Pectus Excavatum (UK Pectus Excavatum & Pectus Carinatum Information Site) is a bone affliction from a birth defect, leaving the ribs that fuse with the Sternum, in a concave manner. The result is a sunken chest. There are different degrees of the birth defect, but in less extreme cases, pec implants can be used to mask the bone defect, yielding a more normal appearing chest. Other musculoskeletal associated with this defect are Marfan's Syndrome (National Marfan Foundation), and Poland's Syndrome.

PROCEDURAL COSTS AND WHAT TO EXPECT:
See Costs & Financing for more information.

IMPORTANT QUESTIONS TO ASK BEFORE CHOOSING YOUR SURGEON:
So you've finally decided to get pec implants . . . something you might have considered for a while. The only thing you have to do now is to find the right doctor to do the surgery, so you're assured of getting the best success without any problems.

It's EXTREMELY IMPORTANT to realize that very few surgeons perform pectoral implants in the United States. The fact is . . . it's a very, very unique procedure, one that requires extensive skill, and few surgeons do it regularly.

Be careful when selecting your surgeon. And most important, ask them some hard questions. Begin by asking them how many they do each month. The key is to find someone fully qualified, that performs the procedure AT LEAST 4-5 TIMES PER MONTH. That means, the surgeon you choose, should average approximately one every week.

Why is this SO IMPORTANT?

Because pectoral augmentation is a unique operation that requires surgical and aesthetic skill . . . more so, than most people realize. Here's why —

1) Due to the stress placed on the pectoral muscles during common, everyday activities such as lifting, or arm extension, implants placed in this area are usually subjected to intensive movement. Thus, the likelihood of an implant shifting or moving after surgery, is a concern.

Needless to say, having one's right side pec muscle look dramatically different than the left, due to an implant shift, won't generally result in the aesthetic 'look' one usually desires.

The bottom line, is that it's critical to have the expertise — gained from performing hundreds of pec implant procedures — to successfully pick the proper area of the muscle within the fascia, the implant pocket, so that the pec implant is assured of not shifting out of place . . . and over time, it eventually becomes an integral part of the muscle. This knowledge is ONLY GAINED by performing this procedure regularly. Our surgeons have performed several hundred pec implants in the last few years. He is well known as one of the very best at this procedure.

2) Another extremely important consideration — one that every patient needs to be aware of — is the primary reason WHY they're having the surgery even performed . . . the final results. How they'll look AFTER the operation is completed.

Again, you should realize that pec implants are solid, silicone prosthetic devices. So, they must usually be carved, or shaped, before insertion. So, having the expertise to properly shape the implant, a process where the surgeon artfully sculpts the solid silicone device with a scalpel before insertion, so it appears natural yet enhancing, for each individual body type, or physical defect, is also critical.

There's nothing more eye-catching after surgery, than a poorly sculpted pec implant… one that somehow seems oddly fit for the individual's body type.

Our surgeon's artistic ability is evident in most everything they do. Aesthetic style in sculpting the pec implants for each individual has been gained from years of expertise, only developed by having done so many procedures. Our surgeons are extremely adept at performing pec implants on people with birth/genetic and physical defects such as Pectus Excavatum and Pectus Carinatum, helping them achieve completely natural appearances after their corrective procedure by another surgeon. In most cases, our surgeons can help in the reconstructive aspects of their affliction with pec implants.

HERE ARE A FEW CRITICAL QUESTIONS YOU SHOULD ASK YOUR PROSPECTIVE SURGEON BEFORE YOU DECIDE ON HAVING PEC IMPLANTS:

1) How many pec implants did the surgeon you're considering do last month? How many last week? How many in the last three months? Just remember, pec implant procedures require that the surgeon isn't merely a 'visitor' to this type of surgery...but, someone who is a 'regular'.

2) Ask the surgeon if you can speak with his most recent few pec implant patients. Any surgeons who perform this procedure regularly won't have a problem letting you speak with their former patients.

3) Ask him if he's ever had any complications from implant shifting, or infection. A poor decision, based on cost, or lack of experience can come back to haunt you