What Are the Advantages/disadvantages to a Dual Plane Technique Vs. Completely Under the Muscle for Breast Augmentation?

Great question!When a patient presents with a small amount of breast ptosis (sag) a dual plane breast augmentation is a very effective technique to help avoid the need for a breast lift and still allow the implant to be placed under the muscle. When an implant is placed under the muscle and the overlying breast has some degree of sag the muscle will hold the implant back and not allow it to fill the loose tissue at the bottom of the breast The word dual means two and the word plane refers to the natural separation between two layers of tissue. In the breast there is a natural separation between the breast tissue and the underlying muscle. During a dual plane augmentation the breast tissue in the lower part of the breast is separated from the underlying muscle. The muscle is then released along its entire attachment at the bottom of the breast. The muscle then moves upward like a window shade toward the nipple. With the restriction of the muscle in the lower part of the breast removed the implant is then allowed to fill the loose sagging part of the lower breast. This is a very effective technique to help prevent the need for a breast lift in a patient with a small amount of sag and still have a benefits of an implant placed under the muscle. This technique is also very helpful in the treatment of other conditions with constriction in the lower part of the breast.

My best suggestion is to pick the best plastic surgeon rather than the procedure. It is their job to guide you through this process. See below link on how to select the best plastic surgeon for the job.Here is some general information however on the dual plane technique. 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 breast augmentation simply means that the implant is placed partially under the muscle. Just the top portion of the implant is put under the chest muscle, while the rest of the implant is only under the glandular tissue. True sub muscular placement involves the implant being placed entirely under the muscle, and this is usually only done for breast reconstruction patients because of its related risks.Dual plane is very common because it provides greater coverage. It is also better supported, slowing the rate of sagging.