Running Ate My Boobs: A Conversation about Breast Implants (for Runners)

This episode is definitely a little different from our usual conversations, but it's one that's personal to me and one I thought might be helpful for some of you.

One of the things nobody tells you about marathon training is that somewhere between all the miles, your boobs might disappear. If you've ever watched your sports bras get emptier as your mileage went up, you know exactly what I'm talking about.

If you're one of us—the ones whose cup size went down as our mileage went up—you may have considered breast implants.

That's why I invited my plastic surgeon, Dr. Michael Cohen, onto the podcast. He's performed both of my breast augmentations, and I wanted to have the conversation I wish I'd found years ago because I think women deserve honest information and the freedom to make decisions about their bodies without feeling like they have to fit some idea of what an athlete is "supposed" to look like.

We cover all the questions I had before surgery. Can you still run? Will implants affect your performance? How long is recovery, really? What's the difference between placing implants over or under the muscle? And what newer techniques are available for women who want a natural result with less downtime?

Dr. Cohen talks about how every patient is different. There isn't one procedure that's right for everyone because there isn't one body that's right for everyone. Your goals, your anatomy, and your lifestyle all matter.

That philosophy is one of the reasons I've trusted him for more than a decade. He's not interested in talking people into surgery. He's interested in helping them make the right decision for themselves. In fact, he's talked me out of procedures before because he didn't think they were in my best interest. That's the kind of expert you want in your corner.

Whether breast implants are something you've considered or something you'll never do, I hope the bigger takeaway from this episode is that you don't have to choose between being strong and feeling feminine. You don't have to justify wanting to change something about your body, and you don't have to change anything just because someone else thinks you should.

The best decision is the one that aligns with the way you want to feel in your own skin.

If you're considering breast augmentation, or you're simply curious about how it fits into an active lifestyle, I think you'll find this conversation both informative and reassuring.

Guest Info: Dr. Michael Cohen, Founder and Medical Director of Belcara Health, board-certified plastic surgeon and breast enhancement specialist. https://www.belcarahealth.com/about/medical-team/dr-michael-cohen/