When you’re planning your breast implant surgery, part of the planning process will involve choosing whether you would like the implants to be placed over or under the muscle.
Essentially, it’s one of the more technical decisions that will help to shape your results. While you may already have an idea of the size and shape you may like, placement is typically part of the process that your surgeon will need to guide you on further.
Deciding to place your breast implants either over or under the muscle will depend on factors like the structure of your chest, how much existing breast tissue you have, and the type and size of breast implants that will be placed.
In this blog, we’ll explain the two different placement options for breast implant surgery, and what to expect depending on the approach you may take.
What is muscle placement in breast implant surgery?
To place breast implants, they can either be positioned above or beneath the muscle.
The muscle in this case is the pectoralis major, which is the large chest muscle that sits just beneath your breast tissue.
The approach that involves placing the implant above the muscle is called the subglandular placement, while placing it beneath the muscle is called the submuscular placement.
What over the muscle placement (subglandular placement) involves
When the breast implant is placed over the muscle, just beneath the breast tissue, it can sometimes be a simpler procedure, as the muscle is typically not disturbed as much as when the implant is placed beneath it.
The approach is generally used when there’s already a sufficient amount of existing breast tissue that is able to cover the implant. Essentially, the more tissue there is, the more the implant will be concealed without relying on the muscle to help provide enough tissue.
For patients who have slightly looser skin or a thinner pectoral muscle, placing the implants over the muscle might also help to avoid visible movement that sometimes happens with under-the-muscle placement during exercise. That being said, over-the-muscle placement isn’t always suitable if there’s very little natural tissue to begin with, as the upper edge of the implant could then become more obvious underneath the skin.
What under the muscle placement (submuscular placement) involves
Submuscular placement means that the implant is either positioned partly or fully beneath the pectoral muscle.
In a traditional full submuscular placement, most of the implant is covered by muscle, particularly in the upper half of the chest, which can allow for more soft tissue to cover the implant in patients with very little natural breast tissue.
This can be helpful in minimising visibility of the edges of the implant, especially in the upper chest. For some body types, this approach gives a more gradual slope from the chest wall outwards, but again, that depends on the patient’s anatomy and the type of breast implant chosen.
Under the muscle placement can sometimes come with a bit more tightness across the chest straight after surgery, mainly because the muscle has been lifted and adjusted. For the first few weeks, some patients may feel a bit more restricted through the chest when lifting their arms, or notice more discomfort when trying to perform movements that engage the pectoral area.
Choosing the placement: Subglandular or submuscular?
The placement choice for breast implant surgery is essentially going to be about what works best for your body, and the results you’re aiming for.
Your surgeon will take a variety of factors into account when planning your breast augmentation procedure and deciding on placement.
Firstly, your surgeon will need to consider how much breast tissue you naturally have. If there’s very little breast tissue, under the muscle may be needed to help cover the implant and reduce the chance of the implant becoming visible.
The shape and profile of the breast implants will also influence the choice of placement. Round implants and anatomical (teardrop-shaped) implants may sit differently when they are either under or over the muscle. Your surgeon will usually need to consider the overall dimensions of the implant in relation to your chest wall and soft tissue.
Another factor is the quality of the skin – particularly elasticity and how it responds to tension. The quality of the skin will also factor other parts of the planning process, which your surgeon can explain during your consultation.
How placement may affect recovery and results
After a breast augmentation with implants, it’s normal for the breasts to sit slightly higher than their intended position for a while, before they naturally lower in place as the tissue in the area heals.
The final position of the implant tends to take time with either approach, although under-the-muscle placement may take a little longer for the implant to drop into a more natural position.
The muscle holds the implant in place in a firmer way than with subglandular initially after the procedure, so it just means that the breast implants may sit a little higher for longer. However, it always depends on the patient’s anatomy.
When it comes to recovery, regardless of whether the implant was placed above or below the muscle, your body will need to adjust to the implants being placed. Essentially, the tissue around the implant forms what’s known as a capsule, which is a natural response to a foreign object being placed in the body. This takes some time and is an expected part of the process.
Discuss your options with a Specialist Plastic Surgeon: Book your consultation with Dr Broadhurst in Brisbane
Deciding between having a subglandular (above the muscle) or submuscular (below the muscle) placement for your breast implant surgery is a process that will need the help of an experienced surgeon.
Performing breast, body and rhinoplasty surgeries in Brisbane, Dr Andrew Broadhurst is a fully qualified Specialist Plastic Surgeon who can discuss your needs and outline what may be the most suitable selection for you.
To plan your breast implant surgery, ask questions and get a sense of what your results may look like, please enquire with our team to organise your consultation with Dr Broadhurst.
Further Reading about Breast Implant Surgery with Dr Broadhurst:
- Read BPS Breast Augmentation (Implants) Surgery Page
- Read BPS page about Motiva Breast Implants
- Read BPS blog about Breast Augmentation Consultation Checklist
- Read BPS blog about Breast Augmentation Mammoplasty Costs in Brisbane
- Read BPS blog about Preparing for Breast Implant Surgery
Medical References about Breast Implant Surgery
