Are Pectoral Implants Like Breast Implants?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I want to have a more shapely and manly chest. I have worked out a lot and simply can’t build up my pectoral muscles very much. It almost seems like I have a muscular deficiency in this area, they just won’t build up to my liking no matter how much iron I pump. I think the only way I am going to get there is with chest implants. Can you tell about how the operation is done and what type of implants are used? I assume it is pretty much like breast implants for women.

A In many ways, you are correct about the similarities between male pectoral implants and female breast implants. Like saline breast implants, pectoral implants are put in through an armpit incision (transaxillary approach) and are placed under the pectoral muscle. Unlike breast implants, however, the positrion of pectoral implants does not extend below the lower border of the muscle. This is a subtle but important placement issue to get the best increase in pectoral muscle outline. The biggest different is in the type of implant used. Pectoral implants are made of a solid (non-fluid filled) silicone elastomer material. It is very soft and has a spongy feel. They can not rupture or ever degrade and will never need to be replaced, which is very different from breast implants which have a limited lifespan.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana