Breast augmentation can be customized in a number of ways to meet Atlanta patients’ needs. Many people know about breast implant sizes and types, but one aspect that isn’t discussed as often is implant placement.
Breast implants can be placed over the muscle, under the muscle, or in a dual-plane position, where the implant is supported by both the chest muscle and the natural breast tissue. Each approach offers unique advantages, and the right option depends on your anatomy, lifestyle, and aesthetic goals.
Over-the-muscle breast implant placement, also known as subglandular placement, involves situating the implant above the chest muscle. This placement option is located beneath the patient’s glandular breast tissue.
Since the chest muscle isn’t elevated during surgery, recovery is often more comfortable and may involve less soreness than procedures that require muscle dissection. This can lead to shorter recovery and less downtime. There will also be less bruising, pain, and tissue swelling, and these issues will resolve more quickly.
Some athletes and highly active patients whose routines rely heavily on the chest muscles may benefit from over-the-muscle placement. Avoiding muscle dissection can help reduce the risk of animation deformity and may make this approach more appropriate for certain lifestyles. Additionally, this option allows them to avoid animation deformity (unnatural implant movement during chest-muscle contraction).
The best candidates for over-the-muscle breast implant placement are women with a fair amount of natural breast tissue. For these women, the coverage offered by natural breast tissue helps avoid an overly round look and ripples from visible implant edges. When appropriate candidates are selected, over-the-muscle placement can produce attractive, natural-looking breast contours with excellent projection.
Depending on your anatomy, over-the-muscle implants may make portions of breast imaging more challenging, although specialized mammography techniques are often used to improve visualization. Patients with capsular contracture develop a thicker-than-normal scar-tissue capsule around their implant, resulting in stiffness and pain.
Placing an implant under the chest muscle is a popular option for Atlanta patients. Called submuscular placement, this option is suitable for most women, including women without as much natural breast tissue.
When the implant is placed beneath the chest muscle, the upper portion of the implant is covered by the chest muscle, providing additional soft-tissue coverage in the upper breast. This ensures a very natural look and feel while also increasing upper-pole volume by pushing the tissues forward. Submuscular placement also helps avoid mammogram issues, reduces the chance of capsular contracture, and prevents aesthetic problems like rippling.
The main downside of implant placement under the chest muscle is the more invasive nature of the process. Incisions in the chest muscle increase bruising, swelling, pain, and the time needed to recover fully. There is also a higher chance of animation deformity during chest muscle contraction.
In certain cases, surgeons will recommend dual-plane placement. When this cutting-edge option is chosen, the procedure is called a dual-plane breast augmentation.
With dual-plane placement, the upper portion of the implant is covered by the chest muscle while the natural breast tissue supports the lower portion. To achieve this, the inferior attachments of the chest muscle are released, allowing for a larger tissue pocket for the breast implant.
Situating the lower portion of the implant above the muscle creates more lower-pole breast fullness, helping achieve a more-natural appearance. It also reduces mild sagging for a perkier look.
Creating the space above the muscle and releasing the inferior attachments also allows for free chest-muscle contraction, preventing animation deformity. Because the inferior attachments have been released, when the muscle contracts, the breast tissue doesn’t move with it.
Situating the upper portion of the implant below the muscle reduces the likelihood of rippling and capsular contracture. Additionally, it compresses this portion of the implant, giving round implants a more natural and anatomical look.
This implant location offers the additional benefit of reducing the likelihood of damage to the milk ducts and the nerves in the area. This decreases the chance of any problems with breastfeeding.
There isn’t a single implant placement that’s right for everyone. During your consultation, Dr. Olatomide (Tomi) Familusi will evaluate your existing breast tissue, chest anatomy, lifestyle, and aesthetic goals before recommending the approach she believes will provide the safest surgery and the most natural-looking results for your body. Board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) and recognized as a Castle Connolly Top Doctor, Dr. Familusi takes a personalized approach to breast augmentation, helping each patient make an informed decision based on their unique anatomy and goals.
During your consultation, she’ll answer your questions, perform a thorough physical examination, and explain the benefits of each implant placement option so you can feel confident moving forward with your treatment plan.
Choosing the right implant placement is an important part of achieving beautiful, long-lasting breast augmentation results. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Familusi at Élevé Plastic Surgery in Atlanta to discuss your goals, explore your options, and receive a personalized surgical recommendation designed specifically for you.