One Runner’s Decision to Get Breast Implants
4
3
1by Beauty Blogger Emmy Owens
I am a female athlete. More specifically, I run. A lot. I have done plenty of half marathons and marathons as well as dabbling in some trail races. During my honeymoon, I even did a marathon with my new husband supporting me from the sidelines. So, yes, I am a female athlete … and I want breast implants.
While I am not even close to being an Olympic hopeful, I still take my training seriously and am proud of my running accomplishments. But one thing I’m not so wild about is that within the running community and among female athletes in general, it can sometimes seem like femininity is looked down upon. Wearing pearl earrings and lacey blouses apparently indicates that you lack the focus and discipline needed to excel at your sport. Instead, most female athletes sport basic tanks, sweats, and supportive shoes even when they aren’t working out. You may be starting to gather that I am a significant departure from this mindset.
The sporty look also goes well beyond fashion choices. Many female runners have a very similar body shape: streamlined. I know it comes with the territory. Our toned calves, muscular thighs, trim waists, and small breasts are a product of our practice. My current bra size is 32A, which is smaller than my 12-year-old cousin’s. While I recognize the importance of my breasts matching my figure, I still feel that my breasts are easily overlooked on my 5’5″ frame.
To properly wear the shirts and dresses that appeal to me, I always have to reach for a padded bra. When I try to wear dresses or tops with a built-in bra or shaped brassiere area, I have a very awkward gap between my breasts and the shape of the top. If I’m not wearing the right undergarments, I can risk accidently depressing the cup, turning it nearly inside out, and revealing my inadequate volume.
Given the stigma against implants among runners, I’ve had a little trouble finding pertinent information. I often find myself perusing marginally relevant forums such as the bodybuilding subreddit. This blog, Breaking Muscle, has been a helpful resource. Most of the information I’m gathering is actually coming from competitive fitness models. These women strive for muscle definition and size. I have a few girlfriends who regularly participate, and I completely respect what they do.
With that said, the look that these women are aiming for isn’t really for me, and they ask a lot of questions about chest muscles that just don’t apply in my case. I suppose my goals are somewhere in the middle. I want to go up in size and look more feminine, but I also want to be able to comfortably fit into the running world I love so much.
For now, I am looking for a surgeon who understands my aesthetic goal to look undeniably feminine without looking overdone or becoming a hindrance to running.
For instance, I’m a little worried about the recovery time and how long I’ll have to stop training. According to the website of Dr. Shim Ching, who offers breast implants in Honolulu, if you’re an active person, you may need “to avoid exercise for the first 4 weeks after surgery. It’s important to allow yourself to fully recover and protect yourself from complications that straining your body could bring about.” A whole month off? That will definitely be a challenge for me.
I’m also concerned, as I mentioned, about finding implants that are the right proportion for my frame. I want to look more feminine, but I don’t want to look “fake,” and I don’t want implants so large that I’m physically uncomfortable while running. I need to find a surgeon who understands these goals, which seem to be a little more complex than for the typical breast augmentation patient.
I’m still confident that breast implants are the right decision for me and am currently compiling all the relevant information I can so I can head into consultations prepared. Wish me luck!
Your Opinion?
Emmy Owens
Latest posts by Emmy Owens (see all)
- The ABCs of Plastic Surgery Board Certification - August 4, 2015
- One Runner’s Decision to Get Breast Implants - July 27, 2015
- Getting Involved in the Fight Against Cancer - July 15, 2015
