Pec (Pectoral) Implants

What is a pec implant?

Pec implants, or pectoral implants, give your chest muscles (pectorals) more contour. The implants can make your chest appear more muscular. A plastic surgeon places pec implants through incisions in your armpits.

What are your pectorals (pecs)?

Your pectoralis muscles connect the front of your chest to your upper arm bones and shoulder blades (scapula). These muscles lie underneath your breasts.

You have a pectoralis major and pectoralis minor muscle on each side of your body.

• The pectoralis major muscle starts at your collarbone (clavicle). It extends across the upper part of your chest and connects to your upper arm bone (humerus). This muscle helps you rotate your arms and draw them forward. This is the larger chest muscle. It creates most of your chest bulk and contour.
• The pectoralis minor muscle sits behind your pectoralis major. It starts at your ribcage and attaches to your shoulder blades. This muscle helps you draw your shoulders forward and downward.

What are other names for pectoral implants?

You may also hear these terms for pectoral implants:

• Male chest enhancement.
• Male pec implants.
• Muscle augmentation (enlargement).
• Pectoral augmentation.
• Pectoral enhancement.

Who gets pec (pectoral) implants?

You might want pec implants to:

• Enhance body appearance. Many men and people assigned male at birth get pec implants as part of cosmetic surgery to boost their self-confidence. You may want a pec implant if you desire a more sculpted chest beyond what you’re able to achieve through exercise. Or you may want to address asymmetry or underdeveloped chest muscles.
• Treat a chest issue. Some people get pec implants as part of reconstructive surgery to treat birth defects. For instance, pectus excavatum causes your breastbone or chest to sink inward. And people born with Poland syndrome don’t have chest muscles on one side of their bodies (pectoral aplasia).
• As part of gender-affirming surgery. Pec implants can also be part of your process to affirm your gender. Pec implant surgery may take place at the same time as or after a breast reduction or mastectomy.

Who is a candidate for pectoral implant surgery?

The ideal candidate for a pectoral implant procedure is someone who:

• Is exercising and strength training to build chest muscles.
• Has fully formed adult muscles.
• Doesn’t smoke (nicotine increases your risks of surgical complications and slows healing).
• Has realistic expectations.

Do pec implants come in different sizes?

Pec implants are made from medical-grade silicone. They’re solid and don’t leak like some silicone gel breast implants.

Pec implants come in different shapes and sizes. Depending on your needs, you may get different implant sizes on the left and right sides of your body. You and your surgeon can work together to select the implant most likely to help you achieve your desired look.

If you need reconstructive surgery because of a medical condition, your surgeon may recommend custom pec implants. A lab uses your chest measurements to customize the pec implants to fit your physique.

What do pec implants feel like?

Pec implants are designed to feel firm, like muscle.

What other procedures may take place with a pectoral implant?

Your plastic surgeon may recommend other body contouring procedures to help you get the sculpted look you want. These procedures may include liposuction or a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty).

Who performs pec (pectoral) implant surgery?

A plastic surgeon who specializes in cosmetic or reconstructive procedures performs pec implant surgery. This outpatient procedure may take place in a surgical suite at your provider’s office, surgical center or hospital. You usually go home the same day. 

What happens before pec (pectoral) implant surgery?

Follow your surgeon’s instructions on how to prepare for pec implant surgery. You may need to:

• Get a physical exam and blood tests to ensure you’re in good health. 
• Be photographed to help your surgeon plan the procedure and compare before-and-after results.
• Avoid eating and drinking for a certain period of time before the procedure.
• Not take certain medications before surgery, including vitamins and supplements.
• Skip lotions and deodorant on the day of surgery.
• Take antibiotics to lower your risk of postoperative infection.
• Quit smoking several weeks before the procedure. 

What happens during pec (pectoral) implant surgery?

First, you’ll receive general anesthesia or heavy sedation to ensure that you sleep through the procedure. Then, your surgeon:

1. Makes an approximately two-inch incision into the skin on each of your shaved armpits.
2. Inserts special surgical tools into the incisions to create a space (pocket) between your pectoralis major and minor muscles.
3. Slides the pec implants through the incisions and positions the implants into these pockets.
4. Closes the incisions with dissolvable or removable stitches. (Removable stitches come out in one to two weeks.)

What happens after pectoral implant surgery?

Your healthcare team will monitor you as you wake up from the anesthetic. Once your team feels you’re ready, you’ll need someone to drive you home. You should follow your surgeon’s instructions for incision care. You’ll go home wearing a compression garment to keep the implants in place and minimize swelling (edema). You may wear this compression garment for up to six weeks.

What are the benefits of pec implants?

A pec implant can:

• Create a more contoured chest.
• Add volume to your chest.
• Make the left and right sides of your chest more symmetrical.
• Treat birth defects that affect how your chest looks.

What are the risks of pectoral implant surgery?

In rare instances, a pec implant may move or shift. This can give your chest an asymmetrical appearance. You’ll need surgery to reposition the implant.

Pec implant surgery also carries a risk of:

• Allergic reaction to anesthesia or the implant.
• Bleeding, bruising and blood clots.
• Build-up of scar tissue around the implant.
• Infection.
• Muscle spasms.
• Nerve damage and numbness.
• Skin discoloration, sensitivity and swelling.

What is recovery like after a pectoral implant?

You should expect some pain and discomfort for about a week after the procedure. Your chest muscles may feel tight, sore and stiff. You can apply ice packs to your chest and take over-the-counter pain relievers to ease discomfort. The incision should heal in about two weeks.

You should be able to resume work and light activities within a week of getting pec implants. But you should avoid raising your arms above your head until your surgeon gives the OK. Follow your healthcare provider’s advice about performing more strenuous activities like strength training and lifting heavy items.

What results should I expect from a pectoral implant?

Most of the swelling will subside in six weeks. It can take three to six months for the swelling to subside completely. Then, you’ll be able to see the full results. While most people who get pec implants seem happy with the results, some aren’t. They may think that the implants look unnatural. Or they may feel that the implants give a more traditionally feminine — instead of masculine — appearance. You can discuss follow-up corrective options with your specialized surgeon.

How long do pec implants last?

Unless you take them out, pec implants are long-lasting. They may last 20 years. They tend to last longer when you choose a surgeon with experience in pectoral implantation.

If you’re not satisfied with the results or your implants shift, talk to your surgeon about possible solutions. One option is to remove the implants. You may choose to go without pec implants or try a different size or shape.

When should I call the doctor?

You should call your healthcare provider if you experience:

• Excessive bleeding, swelling or bruising.
• Muscle spasms.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Severe pain.
• Signs of infection, such as pus from the incision site or fever.

Are pec implants obvious?

Pec implants shouldn’t be obvious when done correctly. The implant’s silicone material has the look and feel of muscle. When your armpit hair grows back, it will hide the scars.

To help ensure you get the results you want, you should meet with a few plastic surgeons. Ask to see before-and-after photographs of their pec implant procedures. Look for a surgeon who has experience performing pec implant surgery.

Are there alternatives to pec implants?

A fat transfer or fat grafting is a less invasive way to give the chest more volume and shape. The results should last a lifetime.

During this cosmetic procedure, your provider:

1. Uses liposuction to remove fat deposits from your buttocks, abdomen or other parts of your body.
2. Removes impurities from the fat cells using a centrifuge device.
3. Injects the purified fat cells into your pectoralis muscle area, including the muscles.