Can Bicep Implants Make The Muskle Look Wider?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I have my initial virtual consultation with you in a couple months, all of which so far are regarding various face concerns. I am now wondering about your custom biceps implant. Personally, I am satisfied with the anterior projection of my biceps muscle. However, I do wish for the lateral and medial sides of my arm to be larger if possible. I have not worked out in awhile right now in these pictures, but even after months of strenuous lifting exercises in the past. I had still found the sides of my arms to not be sufficiently pronounced (mainly the anterior and posterior arm become more muscular). I am wondering if you could design a custom implant to make as minimal as possible augmentation to the anterior arms but rather would fill out my arms’ medial and lateral sides, perhaps fill out the hollowness that is visible at certain angles. I have a few questions though. What is the chance of long-term motor or sensory issues? What are the risks in general of this procedure? Would a triceps implant be better for this? Would this be able to be done at the same time as face surgeries (such as with a combination infraorbital implant, rhinoplasty, and genioplasty)? Thanks so much, Dr. Eppley!

A:Thank you for sending your pictures. Because bicep implants either go under the muscle fascia or under the muscle they can only provide anterior projection that parallels the bulk of the muscle mass. What you are asking is not a function of having an implant being designed to do the job but the anatomic limitations of whether such implants can be placed.

Dr. Barry Eppley

World Renowned Plastic Surgeon