Under Muscle Breast Implants Possible After over the Muscle Implants?

Yes, breast impalnts can be converted to under the muscle.  Conversion or "pocket-change" is done to improve the appearance if you have capsular contracture, rippling, or palpability (fancy doctor-speak for implants that can be felt through the skin).  The old pocket (on top of the muscle) has to be closed down with either quilting sutures, other techniques such as using an artificial mesh.  If the old pocket isn't properly closed, the implants will tend to... more

It is certainly possible to change the implant pocket from subglandular to submuscular.  This is done all the time.

You can certainly change your implants to under the muscle.  Your plastic surgeon will advise you if you need a lift. see video

I've had the opportunity to perform the procedure where I removed implants from a sub mammary positionand placed them submuscular. The original pocket has to be closed down in order to insure that the implant won't dislodge and fall into the original pocket. I've seen that happen. Usually it requires placing some sutures into the old pocket after cutting the capsule out. It's also important to cut some of the inferior fibers of the pectoralis muscle where it attaches to the... more

In general, I prefer to perform most of my primary breast augmentation procedures partially under the muscle using a dual plane technique. This offers several benefits including nice superior pole slope, lower capsular contracture rates and an overall natural appearance. There are instances when one has implants in the subglandular position and may have significant rippling with saline implants or capsular contracture and they would benefit from a pocket conversion.

Yes you can if you have not been under the muscle. I generally place the implants behind the muscle in women who have had their implants placed in front and have capsular contracture or for other reasons. So it can be done but the space between the muscle and the breast tissue has to be closed off otherwise the implant can slip out and go back in front. Good luck.

There are several important answers to the question of changing "above the muscle" implants to "below the muscle" breast implants. The first is for women considering this procedure for the first time. This issue is no longer a "dealer's choice" option just as the volume of the implant should not be just whatever the patient or surgeon wants. My own experience and that of many plastic surgeons over decades clearly shows that overall and in nearly all cases,... more

Yes . To modify a phrase: one size or one placement doesn't fit all. An experienced board certified plastic surgeon may employe either proceedure OR a hybrid proccedure depending on the case.

Yes, it is possibleto convert over the muscle implant position to behind the muscle position. This is usually easier than the other way around since the muscle is often displaced and attentuated when implants are placed behind them and then it is more difficult to maintian the implants in a pure, above-the-muscle pocket. However, it is important to determie your reasons for going from one location to the other and the subsequent risks involved. Patients often end up what I call... more

I used to spar with my late father, who was also a Plastic Surgeon about where breast implants belong. He pointed out that the submuscular plane was associated with "dancing breasts", on certain movements of the chest muscles. I countered that the rate of capsular contracture is higher and the appearance of a "rock in a sock" unappealing. As a surgeon who trained in the 90's when silicone gels weren't widely available, I've tended to counsel my patients about the... more

 It is very common to place new breast implants under the muscle after the previous implants were placed above the muscle.  Make sure you go to an experienced plastic surgeon for the best result here.