Bony sternum

[Watergirl 15]

Since getting small implants earlier this year I noticed my sternum was a little bony. Now I have been eating well and exercising and lost 4kg and it seems really bony and I hate the look of it. I've been doing strength training which may have changed my chest muscles too, push-ups, weights etc. My arms look great, but my sternum really bothers me.

I feel self conscious about it. I had been looking forward to summer and being able to wear lower cut tops but now I just want to hide my sternum.

Has anyone else had this problem?

Is there anything that can be done about it?

Is it a tell tall sign I've had a BA?

I'd really appreciate any insights. Thankyou xxx

[sabP 750]

Hey hun, first up - no, it's not a sign or an indication of your BA, so it won't give it away However, you do appear to have a bit of a gap. Is that a bra or dress you are wearing? If seems to be a little too big for you. Do your breasts come closer when you wear a push up bra? Do you have anatomical implants? I'm just wondering if you have been doing isolated pec exercises which may have moved your implants a little outwards perhaps? It's hard to say as I don't know what you looked like prior to surgery and how your sternum appeared then. You may need to have a consult with your surgeon for proper advice.

[LaurenT 755]

Did you have much breast tissue or a visible sternum before your BA? Also, as previously asked ^^ have you been doing chest exercises? on top of this I was advised before my surgery to be my goal weight and ideally not lose more than 1-2 kilos as it can impact results.

[Watergirl 15]

2 hours ago, sabP said:

Hey hun, first up - no, it's not a sign or an indication of your BA, so it won't give it away However, you do appear to have a bit of a gap. Is that a bra or dress you are wearing? If seems to be a little too big for you. Do your breasts come closer when you wear a push up bra? Do you have anatomical implants? I'm just wondering if you have been doing isolated pec exercises which may have moved your implants a little outwards perhaps? It's hard to say as I don't know what you looked like prior to surgery and how your sternum appeared then. You may need to have a consult with your surgeon for proper advice.

Thanks for replying. Maybe I have been doing the wrong exercises and pushed them out a bit. What exercises should I be avoiding? I wasn't told to avoid anything. I'm not really sure which exercises are isolated pec exercises. I have been following a program that has a heap of different exercises. My goal was to get a flat tummy, but the program has lots of battle rope/ push-ups/ arm weights as well.

I am wearing a bra though I am bending over because that shows up the bony look the most so the bra is a bit loose when i lean over. I have round motiva ergo implants under the muscle. I can push my breasts together with a push up bra. Prior to surgery I definitely never had a bony sternum.

I'll most likely book in a consult with my surgeon, I'm just hoping for a little reassurance that I can get rid of it

16 minutes ago, LaurenT said:

Did you have much breast tissue or a visible sternum before your BA? Also, as previously asked ^^ have you been doing chest exercises? on top of this I was advised before my surgery to be my goal weight and ideally not lose more than 1-2 kilos as it can impact results.

I had a small amount of breast tissue, deflated b/c cups after breastfeeding and never had a visible sternum before.

And yes I have been doing chest exercises, I had thought I was able to do any exercise. Which ones should I be avoiding? push-ups, chin ups?

I thought I was my ideal weight at surgery, but in trying to loose my mummy tummy I've lost 4kg.

Thanks for your reply

[sabP 750]

1 hour ago, Watergirl said:

Thanks for replying. Maybe I have been doing the wrong exercises and pushed them out a bit. What exercises should I be avoiding? I wasn't told to avoid anything. I'm not really sure which exercises are isolated pec exercises. I have been following a program that has a heap of different exercises. My goal was to get a flat tummy, but the program has lots of battle rope/ push-ups/ arm weights as well.

I am wearing a bra though I am bending over because that shows up the bony look the most so the bra is a bit loose when i lean over. I have round motiva ergo implants under the muscle. I can push my breasts together with a push up bra. Prior to surgery I definitely never had a bony sternum.

I'll most likely book in a consult with my surgeon, I'm just hoping for a little reassurance that I can get rid of it

I had a small amount of breast tissue, deflated b/c cups after breastfeeding and never had a visible sternum before.

And yes I have been doing chest exercises, I had thought I was able to do any exercise. Which ones should I be avoiding? push-ups, chin ups?

I thought I was my ideal weight at surgery, but in trying to loose my mummy tummy I've lost 4kg.

Thanks for your reply

Hey lovely... I know that @I HaveBoobs is a PT and she can give you some advice re chest exercises. But most of our surgeons have said a firm NO to isolated pec exercises because of the danger of pushing the implants out. I'm quite surprised yours said you could do any exercises... Definitely go and have a chat with them. xo

[LaurenT 755]

As @sabP mentioned, the majority of surgeons recommend to avoid any exercises that isolate chest muscles. I was told not to do push ups. Hope @I HaveBoobscan shed some more light and I would also be asking your surgeon ?

congrats on losing the 4kgs and your mummy tummy though!

[I HaveBoobs 951]

@Watergirl have just tried to send you a pm but it didnt go through, not sure why but wanted to reply personally as my response was quite detailed and long. Did you have a bit of a wide gap before your ba.

[Moderator 511]

You look like you have pectus carinatum or pigeon chest - fat grafting can help camouflage this

[Watergirl 15]

I went to see my surgeon and he confirmed that me left breast has moved outward. I think I will have surgery to fix it and get slightly larger implants while I do. He also said he can add some stitches on the outsides to prevent them from moving outwards again. And I should lay off the push-ups obviously. I don't think the bonyness will be so obvious if the breasts are closer together like they should be. Must have been fate telling me to have surgery again knowing I wanted bigger boobs! Just not sure when I'm going to be able to fit it in though, I don't really want to do it over summer....

[I HaveBoobs 951]

@Watergirl Glad to hear you have an answer as to why/how and that it can be easily corrected, is he going to do the revision at a discounted price for you.

[Watergirl 15]

If I get the revision within a year of my surgery he doesn't charge anything, but will still be up for the implant costs and hospital fees, anesthetist, which is why I'm considering it soon!