Any horseback riders have experience to share on implant reconstruction?
Bilateral mastectomy in October 2024 (IDC Stage 2A – grade 2). No radiation/no chemo. I live in a rural underserved area so delayed reconstruction was the only option. Surgeon performed an aesthetic flat closure.
I am waiting to meet with a PS who is 3 hours away.
I am normally slight in stature, but a very strict anti-inflammatory diet (other health reasons) leaves me with literally no body fat reserves. My only real reconstruction option is implants.
My husband and I run a small horse boarding farm on top of our regular jobs and I do ride.
Researching implants my concerns are:
If I go behind the muscle will this affect my strength for things like stacking hay bales, hauling water buckets, moving feed bags, mucking stalls, and of course riding? Could this level of activity be a concern for causing the implants to shift?
If I go in front, being so thin, I worry I will look weird and unnatural.
I will be discussing these concerns when I meet the surgeon but I’m hoping someone who’s lived it can share some insight.
Comments
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@missymoo Your far sounds lovely, and it sounds like you're doing a lot of your health. Thanks for posting your questions. Concerns like these come up often for people who do a lot of physical work- and who are thin-, so it’s understandable that you’re looking for real-world experiences.
From what members commonly report:
Under-the-muscle implants
- Some notice chest muscle tightness or “animation” when lifting, pushing, or pulling.
- Activities involving heavy upper-body work—like hay bales, buckets, or riding—can make this more noticeable.
- True shifting of the implant after full healing is uncommon, but the muscle movement itself can feel unusual to some.
Over-the-muscle implants
- Often preferred by people who want to avoid muscle involvement during physical activity.
- In very thin individuals, the implant edges or rippling may be more visible, depending on the implant type and tissue coverage.
- Some surgeons combine this with fat grafting to improve contour, but that depends on individual anatomy.
These are general experiences rather than medical recommendations, and outcomes vary widely. A plastic surgeon who works with athletic or physically active patients can give more specific guidance about what’s realistic for someone with your build and activity level.
We hope others who’ve lived with these options will share their firsthand experience.
And here is an article that could be helpful:0
