Benefits of Dual Plane Breast Augmentation

The term “dual plane” is used to describe an operation when the implant is placed beneath the pectoralis major muscle superiorly but lies directly under the breast tissue inferiorly. This technique requires dissection in both planes and is best for thin patients with moderate amounts of ptosis (i.e. drooping of the breasts) that would be difficult to correct with subpectoral or subglandular implant placement alone.

Thank you for your question. The main benefit of the dual plane breast augmentation technique is that it creates a little bit of lift without requiring additional skin incisions. However, it is not a replacement generally for a breast lift (mastopexy). It is not known to be less painful, cause less bleeding, have faster recovery, or have lower risk of capsular contracture.In my Guide to Breast Augmentation on my website, I describe the technique in more detail if you would like to investigate further. See the web reference below.

Dual plane breast augmentation is one of the many
options available for patients undergoing breast augmentation surgery. This
procedure offers significant benefits for patients with specific anatomic
findings and aesthetic goals.

It’s not unusual for plastic surgeons to encounter
patients who have breast hypoplasia associated with mild breast sag. These
patients want larger breasts but don’t want the scarring that’s frequently seen
with breast lift surgery.

Under these circumstances, dual plane breast
augmentation offers significant advantages. This procedure creates a pocket
beneath the pectoralis muscle as well as a separation between the muscle and
the overlying breast tissue. This results in the implant having muscle coverage
superiorly and breast tissue covering the implant inferiorly.

This configuration allows the breast tissue to cover the
implants in a more natural way. It avoids the need for a breast lift and avoids
a snoop dog or double bubble deformity. In addition the patient continues to
have the advantages of sub muscular implant placement including a decreased
risk of capsular contracture.

If you’re considering breast augmentation and have mild
breast sag, you may be an excellent candidate for this procedure. Under these
circumstances it’s important to discuss this issue with
your plastic surgeon.

 For cosmetic Breast Augmentation, the dual plane technique refers to the implant being partially beneath the pectoralis muscle. As the lower part of this muscle is above the lower lateral part of the breast most Subpectoral implants are in fact to a degree dual plane although erroneously often called total submuscular. However, the degree of the implant is beneath the muscle on top and soft breast tissue below can be altered by making the submuscular pocket higher up the muscle leaving some of it below the implant below and some above. The advantage of this is to expand the lower pole of the breast if short or more often for mild drooping breast correction.

Dual plane refers primarily to the placement of the breast implant during surgery. The term, coined by a Texan plastic surgeon back in the late 90s, is defined as a breast augmentation procedure that involves placement of the breast implant behind the pectoralis major muscle and partially behind the breast tissue overlying the muscle. The implant sits on two levels inside the chest, which is why it's called "dual plane". Alteration of some of the pectoralis major muscle is also performed to achieve optimal improvement of the breast as well as allowing for a subtle lift for patients with minor drooping (ptosis). This type of implant placement can be performed with any incision (inframammary, transaxillary, or peri-areolar).Dual plane breast augmentation was designed so that the benefits of both subglandular and submuscular placement could be obtained for the patient. The top 2/3 of the breast implant is placed below the pectoral muscle. The muscle provides more coverage so that the implant is less visible and less palpable, lowering the chance of rippling and a visible upper border (the breasts won't look like they're bolted on as much). It gives the breast that nice natural slope.The bottom 1/3 of the implant is placed under the breast itself in the subglandular position. This allows the breast tissue to drape around the implant, contouring itself to the roundness and thereby adopting a pleasing fullness that better emulates a natural breast shape. There are several varieties of dual-plane augmentations that subtly differ one from the next (there are types 1-3). You will receive the most suitable one depending on your goals and the expertise of your surgeon.