Can Bodybuilders Get an Edge With Cosmetic Surgery?
Posted on October 4, 2024 | by Boston Plastic Surgery
ABC 6 News in Columbus recently told the story of Yvonne Melendrez, a woman competing in the Arnold Fitness Expo who says she chose a breast augmentation to achieve “balance.”
She tells reporters that although she feels great and has been training for years, she doesn’t have the same chest or the support anymore. A breast augmentation would help her feel better about herself, while helping her compete in shows.
Boston plastic surgeon Dr. Fouad Samaha says that in addition to breast surgery, he has seen demand from the fitness crowd for procedures like liposuction, Botox and fillers like Restylane.
Breast Augmentation for Balance and Proportion
Proportion is an important factor for image-conscious athletes like Ms. Melendrez. The problem is that breast size may decrease over time, especially with intense physical training.
Female athletes who work to maintain such a low body fat percentage often see loss in breast volume as a result. For those women, a skilled breast surgeon can perform breast surgery and use implants to recreate the shape and volume that’s been lost.
When it comes to balance and proportion of the body, a breast augmentation can make a big difference. Breast enlargement can improve overall body proportion, and also help correct a size discrepancy between a patient’s breasts.
The Ethics of a Fitness Competition
Is it fair for competitive bodybuilders to undergo cosmetic surgery? According to Ms. Melendrez, it is fair if they undergo “minor surgical changes that won’t be judged.” Anything beyond that would be unethical.
People have the right to enhance their body to feel better about themselves, but once they enter the competitive arena, they have to abide by certain rules.
Several major cosmetic procedures have been developed that go beyond restoration of normal shape. Procedures that use body implants like pectoral, calf or deltoid augmentation would likely be considered a breach of the competitive bodybuilder’s ethical code. After all, bodybuilding is about taking the time to train your body to enhance both physical performance and muscular physique. A sedentary person who has implants would not be considered a bodybuilder.
People have the right to enhance their body to feel better about themselves, but once they enter the competitive arena, they have to abide by certain rules.
Sources
- Arnold Sports Festival
- ABC 6 News: Plastic Surgery for the Arnold Fitness Expo
- Bodybuilding.com: Is cosmetic surgery ethical in bodybuilding?
About Boston Plastic Surgery
Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Fouad J. Samaha, female plastic surgeon Dr. Alannah Phelan, and our experienced staff at Boston Plastic Surgery and the Skin Wellness Center have been helping Boston patients achieve their aesthetic goals for over 21 years, and we can’t wait to help you get started on your new look too. Please submit a contact form online or give us a call today to schedule your consultation.
