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Breast Implants Under the Muscle
Placing breast implants under the muscle is a popular option which can be done in one of two possible methods. The implant can be partially or totally positioned under the pectoralis muscles of the chest.
Submuscular
placement remains the most popular style of
breast augmentation
and has distinct advantages and disadvantages when compared to
subglandular
implant positioning.
Breast Implants Under the Muscle
Total Submuscular
Complete submuscular placement is achieved by implanting the prosthesis completely under the pectoralis muscle. This approach is a more invasive surgery than subglandular placement and women will have to endure a longer and more painful
recovery
period.
Complications
are more common with this placement, including bleeding, implant displacement and continuing pain. Submuscular implants often distort during vigorous athletic activities creating a strange appearance. Some active women find this to also be an uncomfortable sensation which can interfere with their physical abilities.
Saline implants
have a greater chance of
rupturing
when placed under the muscle. One benefit of submuscular placement includes total coverage for the implant shell. This creates a less visible and palpable implant, especially in women with naturally smaller breasts.
Mammography
is not affected using submuscular implantation since the pectoralis muscle acts as a barrier between the breast tissue and the implant.
Capsular contracture
is less common when placing breast prostheses under the chest muscles due to the movement of the muscular tissue against the implant shell.
Breast Implants Under the Muscle
Partial Submuscular
Placing the implant partially under the muscle is a very popular option in modern
breast enlargement.
This approach is commonly called
subpectoral
or
dual plane
placement. In this procedure, the implant is positioned so that the top portion of the implant is covered by the pectoralis major muscle and the lower portion is free in the subglandular plane. This procedure is a great compromise between full submuscular and subglandular, in that the top of the implant is well covered but the breast still feels and contours like a natural bosom. This placement creates very
natural looking
cleavage and allows the breast to round out as expected at the bottom. Incidence of capsular contracture is greatly reduced using this approach. The operation is invasive and requires a longer and more uncomfortable recovery than subglandular implantation. Some women report strange sensations when using their chest muscles during athletics due to this implant placement.
Breast Implants Under the Muscle Recommendation
Submuscular placement is an important development in
cosmetic breast surgery.
Total submuscular placement is particularly good for women with very small natural breasts or women who require more supportive tissue to hold the implant due to
breast reconstruction
surgery. Partial submuscular is advised for most women due to its excellent aesthetics, natural feel and reduced chance for experiencing symptomatic contracture. Talk to your surgeon about which
placement
is best for your particular body type and lifestyle. Implants can always be moved from one placement location to another during subsequent surgeries. However, it is better to learn the facts of each placement and try to make the best choice the first time around.
Share your own breast improvement story at our
Breast Plastic Surgery Interactive Forum
Breast Implants under the Muscle to Breast Reduction & Breast Lift
11/28/07 Revised 3/2/08
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