Breast Augmentation: Q&A

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What's Better - Submuscular or Subglandular?

Im 20yrs weight 145 ht 5'0 36b .. and I have a lot of breast tissue mild droop. i had 1 baby and breastfed. what would look better and natural submuscular, partial, duel or subglandular? thks for ur help

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age 18-24 5 ft 0 in to 5 ft 3 in 130-149 lbs B cup comparison placement subglandular submuscular

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21 Doctor Answers | Asked by Stephanie2750

Doctor Answers (21)
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Submuscular vs Subglandular Breast Augmentation

I almost always perform submuscular breast augmentation as the results are more natural. I also insert a pain pump top control post-operative pain. Discuss your specific concerns with your Board certified Plastic Surgeon. Please trust in your surgeon as He/She wants to achieve the best results possible. Best wishes!

The natural looking breast implant

I offer patient's a simple analogy to illustrate what we mean: Q: If you take a baseball and you cover it with a silksheet, what will it look like? A: Like a baseball, you will even see the stitching. Q: Now if you take that same baseball and cover it with a comforter what will you see? A: It depends on how thick the comforter is but generally you will see a softly shaped lump. So now the question is what do you have on your chest, silk sheets or comforters? The... more

Otto Joseph Placik, MD

32 reviews

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

With early ptosis and enough breast tissue, I feel that sub glandular gel implants give far better results with a breast augment

I feel that when ever the woman has adequate breast tissue to cover the gel implants, sub mammary or sub glandular placement of the breast implants gives much more natural looking and feeling breasts with breast augmentation. This is especially true if there is some early ptosis, drooping of the breast. When the woman has very little breast tissue, putting it under the breast often will lead to ripples and folds that can be felt or seen. In these cases it is necessary to... more

Position Of Breast Implants?

Thank you for the question. Generally implants should be placed in the partially submuscular position (dual plane) for the best results and avoidance of complications. Some general advice regarding breast implant sizing may be helpful. Much of the final “look” achieved after breast augmentation surgery depends on several factors:  1. The initial shape, size (volume of breast tissue), symmetry of the patient's breasts. In general, the better... more

Submuscular breast implants

This may be a somewhat controversial statement, but in my opinion there currently is really only one acceptable position for breast implants in an elective cosmetic surgery patient: behind the pectoralis major muscle (sub-pectoral augmentation). There are a number of very compelling reasons to place implants behind the pec major, and the most compelling one of all is the fact that radiologists report that the mammographic imaging of breasts for the purpose of breast cancer screening tends to... more

Michael Law, MD

17 reviews

Raleigh-Durham Plastic Surgeon

michaellawmd.com

No approach is better

There are essentially 3 approaches to breast augmentation, subglandular (subfascial), submuscular, and dual plane (partially submuscular). The approach chosen depends on many factors, including the appearance of your breasts, tissue thickness, breast position and of course the type of appearance of your breasts that you are looking for. All the approaches mentioned have advantages and disadvantages. The main disadvantages of subglandular are a higher capsular contracture rate and visibility... more

Breast Augmentation and placement

I prefer the dual plane approach (partially submuscular) in most patient due to the decreased risks of a capsular contracture. Subglandular is certainly an option if there is adequate tissue coverage. I would not count on the subglandular placement to necessarily fix your drooping. It may be that a lift is also required. You would need a complete evaluation to determine this.

Both submuscular and subglandular has advantages

Breast implants are placed either submuscular or subglandular, sometimes a combination of both. That would be partially submuscular and partially subglandular. Which placement depends alot on the preference of the surgeon. For saline implants, I almost always recommend submuscular placement. That is to prevent the feeling of wrinkling or rippling which is more common with saline implants. With silicone implants, either submuscular or subglandular approaches work... more

Submuscular or subglandular placement of implants

As a rule, I prefer subglandular placement of implants if there is enough breast tissue to cover the implant. Perhaps this has something to do with the fact that I mainly use silicone implants (I am based in the UK). The operation is less traumatic, there is less bleeding and less postoperative pain compared with submuscular. However, if there is not enough soft tissue to cover the implant, I will use a submuscular pocket.

Submuscular or Sublandular Breast Implants

Whenever possible, I prefer to place the implants in a submucular position. The more of you there is over the implant, the more it will look and feel like you, and the less it will look and feel like an implant. This is especially important in patients who are thin or have little breast tissue. However, submuscular implants are not always possible. Patients who have too much ptosis or sagging will not be good candidates for submuscular augmentation unless a breast lift is done... more

Photos and an exam would help the answer

Stephanie, It would be difficult to give an accurate answer without photos and an exam. It sounds like you have enough tissue to cover a subglandular implant, which would give you more of a lift effect than a submuscular placement. A consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon will shed some light on the subject for you. Good luck! see video

Generally, if you have sufficient breast tissues as it sounds you have I would favor subglandular approach as the breast would

Thanks for your enquiry, it's very difficult to know in your case whether some muscular subglands in the breast implant would be better for you. Generally, if you have sufficient breast tissues as it sounds you have I would favor subglandular approach as the breast would be softer and the recovery quicker. I normally reserve some muscular approaches in placement of the implant for people with less well-defined breasts. It maybe sensible to post a photograph of your... more

Implant pocket lcoation

I prefer in the majority of cases to place the implants in a dual plane ( partial submuscular) approach especially in very thin patients.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Under the breast or under the muscle- Where should my implant go?

Site placement is the second decision you need to make, right after deciding whether breast augmentation is right for you or not. Whether breast augmentation is right for you will depend on several factors. In the end, it all boils down to whether or not there is sufficient tissue to hide the breast implant. If there is, then you could have the implant under the gland alone. This will give the most natural look (since that is where the breast is normally found,... more

Better - Submuscular or Subglandular

As the previous posters have posted there is only partial coverage in the sub muscular plane. But over 90% of ALL USA implants are under the pectoral muscle. Seems like a standard of care question. In certain patients sub glandular is also acceptable. Seek 3 boarded PS for in person evaluations and discussions what is better for you. From MIAMI Dr. Darryl J. Blinski 305 598 0091

Subglandular better to lift droopy breasts

If you have some drooping of the breast tissue, such that the nipple is lower than the level of the crease under the breast (where an underwire would go), subglandular implant placement is probably a better choice. It sounds like you have enough breast tissue to cover the implant well, such that visible implant edges and ripples shouldn't be a problem.

Subglandular breast implants will correct mild droop.

Hi. With the information you provide, I would say you need subglandular, round, smooth walled, moderate PLUS profile implants. Other choices will not correct sagging.

Subglandular and submuscular are only 2 of 4 options

A variation of the subglandular method called subfascial is being done quite a lot in South America, and beginning to be done in North America in the past few years. It adds support but not coverage. In order to determine whether submuscular is better, you need to be seen and examined to see whether the extra coverage that the muscle provides is beneficial. If that is the case, a variation of the submuscular technique called the split method may help minimize the animation deformities that... more

Subglandular position can be as natural looking as submuscular

Going under the muscle has benefits when it comes to reducing the risk of capsular contracture and lowering the visibility of the upper part of the implant. The down side is that when you flex your pectoral muscles, the implants move. So only you can answer the question of what is more natural to you. Smoother top or jiggly breasts. Sincerely, Martin Jugenburg, MD

Submuscular Generally Better Placement of Breast Implants

I feel that most patients obtain softer and more naturally appearing breasts when implants are placed below the pectoralis muscle. There typically is a bit more discomfort in the first few days with submuscular placement. The drooping that you describe may need to treated with a breast lift rather than relying on either implant placement to correct it.

Implant Placement Varies With Each Patient

In general, each surgeon has their own thoughts about implant placement depending on the patient's tissue characteristics, implant size, etc. I prefer the dual-plane placement ( sub-pectoral placement). The top 3/4 of the implant is usually covered by the pectoralis muscle, providing you more coverage in the upper pole where everyone is thinnest, while the bottom 1/4 is under your breast tissue. This makes it appear more natural. In reality, they all work, but I find... more