If you’re considering breast augmentation surgery, you probably have a number of questions relating to breast implants that you would like to ask your surgeon. One of the most asked questions is: “Where should my breast implants be placed?”
Under the muscle, over the muscle, or a bit of both?
First off, let’s take a look at the different possible LOCATIONS where your breast implants can reside inside the breast pocket, and the pros and cons for each.
*Image for reference
1. Over the muscle, also known as sub-glandular/prepectoral placement:
The implant is placed directly behind the breast tissue and on top of the chest muscle.
Pros:
- Less complicated procedure, with usually less pain and quicker recovery
- Can provide a little uplift for women with slight sagging
- Less risk of chest muscle distortion during exercise/chest movement.
Cons:
- Over time, your tissues can thin, and the implant could possibly be seen (check out our exclusive MotivaHybrid® procedure to see how you can help combat implant visibility.
- While having a mammography, this placement can make reading and obtaining scans tricky
2. Over the muscle, and under the fascia also known as Subfascial.
The implant is placed over the muscle like a subglandular placement but also behind a thin layer of tissue that covers the chest muscle called the fascia.
Pros:
- It can provide the benefits of sub glandular placement but with the added benefit of more coverage over the implant if you have little breast tissue.
Cons:
- In some patients, the implant may still be seen (check out our exclusive MotivaHybrid® procedure to see how you can help combat implant visibility.
- More difficult procedure than subglandular.
3. Under the muscle, also known as subpectoral/submuscular placement:
The implant is placed under your chest (pectoralis major) muscle.
Pros:
- Less risk of implant visibility
- May have more accurate mammograms
- Can sometimes provide a more natural shape.
Cons:
- May cause muscle distortion during exercise/ arm and chest movement
- Can be more painful and longer recovery time, as the procedure is more invasive
- Implants can sit high on the chest.
- Increased risks of the implant moving (malposition/displacement) due to the pressure of the chest muscle.
4. A little bit under the muscle and a little bit over the muscle, also known as a dual plane:
The breast implant is placed partially under the chest muscle.
Pros:
- Lower risk of implant visibility than subglandular
- Less obstruction during mammography imaging
Cons:
- Dual plane can still get muscle distortion similar to submuscular.
- Increased risks of the implant moving (malposition/displacement) due to the pressure of the chest muscle.
- The dual plane procedure is more complex than subglandular or submuscular options and may take a little longer to recover.
- In patients with little-to-no breast tissue, dual plane placement may not provide the most appropriate coverage. Implant edges may be visible in the lower pole.
- In patients with little-to-no breast tissue, dual plane placement may not provide the most appropriate coverage. Implant edges may be visible in the lower pole.
*Remember to fully discuss all advantages and disadvantages with your doctor.
Choosing your implant placement
We now know some of the pros and cons. So how do you choose where to place your breast implants? Well that depends on:
– Your desired size and shape of your breast implants: Using a position with less coverage can provide a more youthful look. However, if you are concerned about tissue thinning, you could consider opting for the exclusive MOTIVAHYBRID® which provides extra coverage of the implant with unwanted fat from other areas of the body!
– Your anatomy: How much breast tissue you have (pre-existing breast volume or PBV) and the size of your chest muscle can affect your implant placement choice. Women with larger chest muscles are more likely to get muscle distortion, and women with little breast tissue are more likely to get implant visibility. This can be discussed in length with your surgeon.
– Your lifestyle: How active you are, and the required recovery time can help determine implant placement.
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