Men are usually proud of having a well-developed chest. More than any other part of the non-sexual anatomy, the chest seems to say "man." It sometimes happens, however, that no matter how much time is spent in the gym, the muscles of the chest do not reach the desired appearance. That can be helped by placing silicone implants under the chest muscles.

Since this is something that is done infrequently, the implants must be specially ordered to measure.

The operation is done under complete anesthesia. An incision is made within the armpit and a space is created over the ribs and under the pectoralis major muscle (the "pecs"). Depending upon the amount of enlargement desired, the muscle may have to be detached from its insertion at the edge of the breast bone (the sternum). The implant is then inserted and the chest is thereby enlarged.

There is a defect called Poland's Syndrome in which the pectoralis muscle is absent from birth. It is usually only missing on one side, but it is certainly the most legitimate reason for performing the operation.

The usual risks of infection and misplacement are of minor concern, but the pressure of the implant may cause the normal chest muscle to atrophy as it does in women when breast implants are placed below the muscle.