What is “releasing the muscle?” in breast augmentation? Is it cut away?

Releasing the muscle (pectoralis major) in breast augmentation means the attachments or fibers to the chest wall are cut to place the implant so that it settles nicely on the chest wall.

Dear pinkvock,releasing the muscle means detachment of muscle fibers from a bone in order to create implant pocket. In most cases, implants can be removed under local anesthesia. If you are considering a surgery, I would suggest you to consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. Only after a thorough examination you will get more information and recommendations.Daniel Barrett, MD

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

Hello and thanks for your quesitons.  Sory to hear that you are going through this.  Typically, only a small portion of the pectoralis major muscle is released from the rib allowing the implant to settle into place directly centered behind the nipple-areolar comples.  Functionally this should not lead to any noticeable deficits.  If you are experiencing difficulties now, they may or may not be improved by explantation - it is impossible to guarantee.Best wishes!Daniel Brown, MD, FACSBoard Certified, American Board of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic SurgeonsMember, American Society of  Plastic SurgeonsCastle Connolly Top DocReal Self Top 500

In some cases, breast implants can be removed under local anesthesia.  In other cases, especially when the capsule has thickened and/or when other maneuvers are necessary, it is better to have the procedure performed under general anesthesia. Most patients who undergo breast implant removal surgery will have full function of their pectoralis major muscle;  in most cases "reattachment" of the pectoralis major muscle is not necessary. I hope this helps.