Does changing planes effect the size of implant in revision breast surgery?

Question

I have under the muscle teardrop textured implants with capsular contraction and a cracked implant . I’m getting them removed and new ones placed subfacia or subglandural with some kind of lift. My question is - does the size of the pocket that is left have any affect or influence on the new pocket size in the new plane . I completely understand that my measurements are the most important element and the amount of tissue . But does that size of the pocket mean anything in picking out a new implant - how many cc or profile?

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear Smilealifetime,

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, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Jacob Carlson, MD · Answer

Once your current implant is removed, your surgeon will resecure the pectoralis muscle to the chest wall, so the space/pocket that your current implant is in will be flattened and closed off. Once the new pocket is created, resecuring the pectoralis muscle will also prevent the new implant from moving back into the old pocket. Since the new subfascial or subglandular pockets are in a different plane than the old pocket, the size of the old pocket does not impact what is done in these other optional planes.
A caveat to that is that, depending on how thick your pectoralis muscle is, the appearance of an implant in the subglandular/subfascial/submuscular pocket could be slightly different. In some cases, an implant that is underneath the muscle will appear a little smaller than if it had been placed in a different pocket, because the thicker pectoralis muscle compresses the implant more. The pocket that is chosen will also impact how the upper pole of the breast looks after surgery. Those are a couple factors that I would recommend discussing more in depth with your plastic surgeon.

Does changing planes effect the size of implant in revision breast surgery?

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