Options for Breast Implant Placement?

I know there are lots of different ways breast implants can be...implanted...by the surgeon, but how do you decide what's the best way to place the breast implants?

Tags:

Comment on this

23 Doctor Answers | Asked by anon

Doctor Answers (23)
Community Comments (0)

Breast implants can be placed in several different...

Breast implants can be placed in several different locations ranging from submuscular, partially subpectoral, subfascial or subglandular. Total submuscular placement implies complete muscle coverage. This is not feasible with cosmetic breast augmentation since the pectoralis (chest) muscle inserts on the ribs above the bottom fold of the breast. Thus, in order to get the breast implant low enough on the breast to reach the inframammary fold, the muscle attachments to the low ribs must be... more

Breast Implant Position

Once the type of breast implant and the incision are determined, your plastic surgeon will discuss the optimal placement of the implants to create the best breast form. Classically these options have been either completely behind the muscle, called the submuscular breast implant position, or in front of the muscle, behind only the breast tissue. This latter placement is called the subglandular breast implant position. A third option, and the one that I often use in my plastic surgery... more

Breast Implant Placement Important Considerations

While the issue of ‘over’ or ‘under’ the pectoralis major muscle receives a great deal of attention, even more important than implant position relative to this muscle is implant position vertically and horizontally on the chest wall. In many patients, the inframammary fold needs to be lowered in order to allow the implant to rest at a level that appears natural relative to the position of the nipple and areola, and in order to prevent the appearance of excessive upper... more

Michael Law, MD

17 reviews

Raleigh-Durham Plastic Surgeon

michaellawmd.com

Options for Breast Implant Placement

There are three excellent options for implant placement, depending on the individual patient anatomy, and there is a fourth option that I don't consider useful. Option #1 is the subpectoral placement where the implant is placed deep into the pectoralis major muscle. This is the ideal placement when a woman is flat chested and needs more volume and more projection in her breasts. Option #2 is the subglandular placement, and here the implant is placed above the muscle and under the... more

There are 3 traditional approaches for breast...

There are 3 traditional approaches for breast augmentation: Under arm (transaxillary) At the junction of the pigmented skin of the areola and breast skin (periareolar) Under the breast at the fold (inframammary) Implant placement through an incision in the belly button has been described, but I am not a fan of this approach. Placements of the implants above or below the muscle can be done through any of the approaches mentioned. Each incision has its advantages and disadvantages, as well... more

Incision location and implant placement

There's a lot of great information here and I agree with 95% of it. In my San Francisco area practice we've used almost every incision and placed implants in every plane. It depends on the patient. It appears you're addressing two different issues. One is where your implant sits (under the muscle, above the muscle, "dual plane" (both)) and there are advantages to and negatives for each choice. For most patients under the muscle or partially under the muscle is the most appropriate... more

You have only one chance to have your first breast surgery

There are already a number of insightful answers to this important question. It has been stated that every patient is different and one technique is not always the right one for every patient. I agree 100%. Only after a comprehensive discussion about your desires and goals and a though exam can your plastic surgeon best discuss your options with you. Michael C. Edwards, MD, FACS

Breast implants - No key fits every lock

There are essentially 4 routes currently used for breast implant placement. There is Periareolar (around the nipple) Inframammary (in the crease underneath your breast) Transaxillary (through the armpit) Periumbilical or TUBA (in the belly button). In my opinion, only three of the above are valid accesss sites for implantation, with the TUBA, or belly button site, being fraught with a very high complcation and reoperative rate. I was taught how to do the TUBA from the inventor, and what I... more

Breast implant position

I am a very strong proponent of placing implants ABOVE the muscle. Because part of the pectoralis muscle is usually cut in order to fit the implants, this causes some of the muscle to atrophy (die). Under the muscle has many other disadvantages such as severe post-operative pain, but there are no advantages that I can discern after using both positions for over 30 years. In addition, placing the implants over the muscle does not require general anesthesia.

Patients have many potential options in the selection of...

Patients have many potential options in the selection of the proper breast implant for their own optimal result. Of course, working with an excellent and experienced plastic surgeon is essential and your surgeon should carefully explore what kind of size increase and upper pole profile look you feel would be best for you. Following this, a careful dimensional measurement of your chest wall should put you and your surgeon into the area of the implant catalogue where the diameter of the... more