I am having dual plane BA with 400 cc moderate plus silicone implants. I am 40 yrs old and have had 3 children. My ps suggested dual plane procedure due to the fact that I have stage 1-2 ptosis. My nipples sit at the fold and do not point down. I am a 36 small b cup with loose skin. I have no upper pole tissue. I cannot find any straight forward answers about the stages of dual plane ....dual plane 1, 2, or 3. I am interested in where the implant sits in each stage and the effect each stage has.
March 5, 2022
Answer: Dual Plane Breast Augmentation The dual plane technique for breast augmentation is certainly a difficult thing to find reliable information about on the internet. You are correct in that there are three types of dual plane dissections. The types are based on the area over which the breast tissue is separated from the muscle. In a type 1, there is no dissection between the breast tissue and muscle. In a type 2, the surgeon separates the breast tissue from the muscle in the area spanning from the lowest extent of the muscle to the level of the BOTTOM of the areola. In type 3, the separation is carried out even a little further such that it extends from the lower aspect of the pectoralis to the the level of the UPPER border of the areola. So, what does all that mean and why does it matter? Fair questions! In all types of dual plane, the implant is going to be placed under the pectoralis muscle (subpectoral). In truth, the top portion of the implant will be covered by muscle. The bottom of the implant will just be covered by breast tissue. But, the point is that it sits in the same position regardless of the type of dual plane performed. What matters when thinking about the different dual plane techniques is thus not the location of the implant but rather how the breast tissue and muscle are oriented over the implant and to what extent the muscle will be allowed to retract upward. The decision of technique is based on your tissues and anatomy. A dual plane 1 is typically for breasts with no ptosis (sagging) and strong attachment between the breast tissue and the muscle. A dual plane 2 is employed when there may be slightly more ptosis and looser attachments between the breast and muscle. And, finally, dual plane 3 is used when there is true ptosis and loose attachments. This will allow the muscle to glide up the most and allow maximal contact between your breast tissue and the implant. In doing so, this will help improve some degree of ptosis and avoid deformities that could result if the dissection between the breast and muscle was not performed. In the end, from your description of your breasts, this is probably what your surgeon is trying to accomplish for you. As you can see, this is all on a continuum. In the end, the preoperative and intraoperative judgement of your surgeon is of paramount importance and will decide your result much more than the definitions of dual plane types. But I completely understand your desire to be as informed as possible, so I hope that this answer has helped in that regard. I have provided a reference that, though a bit technical, may help answer your question even further. I wish you the very best.
Helpful 5 people found this helpful
March 5, 2022
Answer: Dual Plane Breast Augmentation The dual plane technique for breast augmentation is certainly a difficult thing to find reliable information about on the internet. You are correct in that there are three types of dual plane dissections. The types are based on the area over which the breast tissue is separated from the muscle. In a type 1, there is no dissection between the breast tissue and muscle. In a type 2, the surgeon separates the breast tissue from the muscle in the area spanning from the lowest extent of the muscle to the level of the BOTTOM of the areola. In type 3, the separation is carried out even a little further such that it extends from the lower aspect of the pectoralis to the the level of the UPPER border of the areola. So, what does all that mean and why does it matter? Fair questions! In all types of dual plane, the implant is going to be placed under the pectoralis muscle (subpectoral). In truth, the top portion of the implant will be covered by muscle. The bottom of the implant will just be covered by breast tissue. But, the point is that it sits in the same position regardless of the type of dual plane performed. What matters when thinking about the different dual plane techniques is thus not the location of the implant but rather how the breast tissue and muscle are oriented over the implant and to what extent the muscle will be allowed to retract upward. The decision of technique is based on your tissues and anatomy. A dual plane 1 is typically for breasts with no ptosis (sagging) and strong attachment between the breast tissue and the muscle. A dual plane 2 is employed when there may be slightly more ptosis and looser attachments between the breast and muscle. And, finally, dual plane 3 is used when there is true ptosis and loose attachments. This will allow the muscle to glide up the most and allow maximal contact between your breast tissue and the implant. In doing so, this will help improve some degree of ptosis and avoid deformities that could result if the dissection between the breast and muscle was not performed. In the end, from your description of your breasts, this is probably what your surgeon is trying to accomplish for you. As you can see, this is all on a continuum. In the end, the preoperative and intraoperative judgement of your surgeon is of paramount importance and will decide your result much more than the definitions of dual plane types. But I completely understand your desire to be as informed as possible, so I hope that this answer has helped in that regard. I have provided a reference that, though a bit technical, may help answer your question even further. I wish you the very best.
Helpful 5 people found this helpful
