Is there a noticeable difference between implants places subfascial or submuscular?

Both subfascial and submuscular breast implant placements have distinct characteristics. Subfascial placement is between the breast tissue and the fascia covering the chest muscles, while submuscular is beneath the chest muscles.

Submuscular placement often provides more coverage, reducing the risk of visible edges or rippling. However, it can be influenced by muscle movement, potentially affecting implant position during activities like weightlifting.

If your doctor has advised against subfascial due to minimal body fat, and you’re concerned about visible edges, submuscular placement might be a suitable option.

Hi from Istanbul! For smaller implant sizes like a B or a small C cup, there's typically not much visible difference between subfascial and submuscular placements. However, with larger implants, the subfascial placement may result in more noticeable implant edges. It's important to have an in-person examination for a tailored recommendation. Hope this helps, best of luck!

Hello,
There is a noticeable difference to some with the different placement. You would be able to achieve more cleavage with going subfascial. If going subfascial, there are implants that we would use that have less wrinkling to them. You would be a candidate most likely for those reasons. The Mentor Boost implant have the least amount of wrinkling to them and would suggest that. If you enjoy lifting and working out you should think more about subfascial.
All the best,
Dr. Joe

The biggest benefit to having the implants subfascial is that they won't "animate" or move when you flex your chest muscles. Some women really don't like when that happens and so the subfascial placement can help with that. Submuscular placement usually looks a little more natural, but then the implants can move when you flex. Most women prefer them to look more natural, but it's a tradeoff. Even with little body fat, women can have subfascial placement. The implant style and size can be adjusted to help prevent palpability. Talk to your surgeon to make sure you understand the pros and cons of each approach before you make a decision. Best of luck!

Dear Nikka0602,
I almost always place implants submuscular. It lowers the rate of capsular contracture significantly. In addition, it looks much more natural because the muscle provides covering over the implant so its not as round on the top. I've also noticed the implants drop less over time when they are protected under the muscle.
Daniel Barrett, MDCertified, American Board of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

I have plenty of true athlete patients with implants under the muscle and as long as you are careful with chest exercises while healing you will likely be fine.
All the best!

Hello,

Thank you for the question.

Typically, placing the implants above the muscle (subglandular or subfascial plane) can help minimize animation deformity (when implants move during weightlifting). However, not everyone is a candidate for above the muscle breast implant placement because if the breast tissue are very thin, implant rippling may be more pronounced in the upper pole of the breast.

Placing implants above the muscle typically creates a more "natural" look versus under the muscle creates a more "augmented" look.

I would encourage you to seek a consultation with a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon to further discuss your options, specific techniques, concerns and expectations.

I hope this helps.

Best regards, Dr. Karanetz
Dr. Irena Karanetz
Breast Fellowship-Trained Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Submuscular implants will often extrude inferiorly and laterally from muscle compression. Implants in front of the muscle will often be visible if the patient is very thin. Also, this causes more damage to the blood supply and nerves supplied to the nipple-areola complex. Unfortunately, you have not provided photographs or told us your bra size. However, I always recommend small implants and use the submuscular or total submuscular position.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Yes…. there is in most cases. It seems you do not have enough tissue for implant coverage. Therefore sub-muscular placement, in theory, would be best.
Implant coverage is the main reason for going under the muscle. It is more important in patients with little to no breast tissue. This helps avoid rippling and visible edges and is extremely important when using saline implants. Unlike silicone, saline will always have visible edges and rippling if placed sub-fascial or sub-glandular.
So, if you do not want implant animation deformity and would like to keep your current lifestyle consider teardrop shaped high cohesive gel implants. With the correct implant size, these can be placed sub-fascial and due to their silicone filling and their shape, the possibility of rippling and visible edges should be minimal.
Silicone’s gel like structure reduces the possibility rippling and visible edges, so sub-fascial and sub-glandular placement can work with silicone when choosing the correct size and shape for a specific patient.

Submuscular implants have more soft tissue, muscle, coverage and tend to have a soft transition in the upper pole. Submuscular implants also have animation deformity to some extent whereas subfascial implants do not.