Breast Augmentation Implant Placement

After you have decided to undergo <a rel="nofollow" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/article_exit_link');" href= >breast augmentation</a>, have selected a plastic surgeon, and been given the green light that you are a candidate, you will then discuss <a rel="nofollow" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/article_exit_link');" href= >breast implant placement options</a> with your surgeon. There are two types of breast implant placement: submuscular and subglandular. Each of them have their advantages and disadvantages.

Subglandular Placement

Also known as submammary or over-the-muscle placement, subglandular placement puts the breast implant between the mammary gland and the pectoral, or chest, muscle. There are a few different incision types available with subglandular placement, including periareolar, inframmamary, and transaxillary. Though your plastic surgeon will have suggestions on where the implant incision should be, it is ultimately up to you.

Subglandular Advantages

• Easier access in case another surgery is ultimately needed
• Less post operative pain and discomfort, and therefore less recovery time
• Easier placement since the chest muscle does not need to be moved
• Creation of cleavage is easily created; useful if breasts are naturally spaced far apart
• Women involved in body sculpting or weight training may choose this placement because the breasts may look unnatural when the chest muscle is flexed due to the breast implant shifting

Subglandular Disadvantages

• Breasts may look less natural than those place beneath the muscle
• More pronounced roundness
• Breast imaging is difficult during mammographies, which makes early detection of breast cancer more difficult
• Rippling may be seen and felt more, especially with women who have little breast tissue
• Capsular contracture, or scarring around the implant, may occur, which can be extremely painful and can result in having to get a second surgery

Submuscular Placement

This is also known as subpectoral since the implant is placed beneath the pectoral muscle. A partial submuscular placement puts the implant beneath two-thirds of the muscle; a full submuscular placement uses other muscles besides the pectorals to cover the implant. All the incisions subglandular implants use can be used for submuscular implant placement.

Submuscular Advantages

• More natural appearance and feel due to the edges and ripples being covered by the pectoral muscle
• Women with smaller breasts will see better results
• Does not interfere with mammography
• Extremely low risk of capsular contracture
• “Bottoming out” when the breast implant winds up too low with the nipple positioned too high is not very likely

Submuscular Disadvantages

• Breasts may sit higher on the chest until the pectoral muscles relax
• Moving the muscles means the recovery time will be longer
• If another breast surgery is needed, getting to the implant is more difficult
• Athletic women tend to have worse results since a distorted appearance is created, and the breast implant may become displaced during workouts

In the Naples, Florida area, experienced plastic surgeon Dr. Manuel Peña prefers to use the submuscular placement, and rarely performs the subglandular placement method. However, discuss your personal needs with him to settle on the final result.