Some people go hard in the gym and take their weightlifting programs serious, while others seem to be born with a natural physique. What if you aren’t born with the perfect body and you haven’t quite accomplished the results you think you deserve after spending countless hours in the gym? Well, according to recent statistics published by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, an increasing number of men are resorting to muscle implants to enhance the shapeliness of their chest, arms or calves. While these procedures remain somewhat controversial—most among professional bodybuilders—they offer an enticing option for those of us who can’t bulk up, no matter how hard we work out. We have the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about muscle implant surgery.
Why get muscle implants?
It’s simple. Not everyone can bulk up through exercise alone. For a variety of reasons, body sculpting comes a lot easier for some people than others. Some men experience overwhelming difficulty trying to gain muscle mass. Bodybuilding and exercise should continue to make you strong and healthy, but adding muscle implants can give you that extra boost in proportions. If you’d like to improve the appearance of your arms, legs or chest, but have been frustrated by the lack of results you’ve been seeing through traditional methods like weight training, muscle implants might work for you.
Who considers muscle implant surgery?
Most people who desire a muscle implant are seeking better definition. Healthy individuals with underdeveloped or small muscles are considered the ideal candidates for this procedure. If you have unequal arms, legs or pectoral muscles that no amount of exercise has so far been able to rectify, you qualify for muscle implant surgery. While age is not a major consideration the younger the candidate, the easier recovery will probably be for them. And yes, both men and women can enjoy this cosmetic surgery.
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While it might be tempting to try to bulk up like the Incredible Hulk, larger muscles don’t always give you the best definition. The right surgeon will help you get the look you want by guiding you towards an implant that fits with your current proportions, not one so large it appears fake.
How is the procedure performed?
Patients undergoing muscle implant procedures are placed under general anesthesia to ensure they’re comfortable throughout their surgery. Depending on the area being worked on, implants are placed either under or over the muscle. Pectoral implants are most frequently placed under the muscle for an enhanced, natural looking increase in muscle size. This is also the case with calf implants, which are placed under the muscles’ fascia. Don’t expect to go back to work the following day. You will probably experience swelling and discoloration for at least a week or two after the procedure.
What are the Costs to Look Good?
All surgeries carry certain risks, regardless of how small or extensive the operation may be. Muscle implant surgeries are actually one of the safest cosmetic procedures around, so there is little to be concerned about.
In order to avoid any potential complications from occurring over the course of your implant surgery and recovery, you need to be completely honest with your doctor about the medications you take and any pre-existing conditions you may have. Muscle implant surgery is rarely covered by healthcare insurance providers unless it’s considered necessary for constructive rather than cosmetic reasons. Nor is it an inexpensive procedure.
There’s no need to let the very slight risk of complications (or the price) keep you from having the well-defined muscles you want. Simply consult with your board-certified plastic surgeon and have them answer any questions you may have about the risks involved and how best to avoid them.
Disclaimer: We do not claim to be experts on this topic. Please consult the advice of a board-certified medical expert.
