Breast augmentation is often performed to replace volume lost from weight loss, breast-feeding, or age or to increase the size of the breast for aesthetic reasons. The implants are most often placed under the pectoralis muscle (sub muscular), partially under the muscle (dual plane), or over the pectoralis muscle (sub glandular). See the following link for more information on breast augmentation. Sub facial placement of an implant is much less common option that places the implant under the thin tissue that covers the surface of the pectoralis muscle. This placement may possibly add support to the implant pocket - decreasing the risk of bottoming out - and decreasing the risk of muscle flexion distortions (animation deformity).Sub facial placement is more commonly used overseas with form-stable implants.The sub facial space is not a naturally occurring plane, however, and so the dissection is more traumatic than other techniques - even with cautery. The shape is also more akin to the "done" look of a sub-glandular augmentation. A detailed examination will help delineate the best surgical option. Consultation with a surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery would be the next best step.
Hi there. Subfascial is a term to describe implant pockets that are just on top of the muscle (but under the thin sheet of tissue that separates the muscle from the breast tissue - the so called 'fascia'). If you're a patient who doesn't need the implant to be placed under the muscle (because either you have a reasonable volume of natural breast tissue or the skin cover is sufficiently thick at the top of the chest) - then a subfascial or sub glandular is appropriate. There is little to differentiate the two as it is just a subtle technical difference. But in my mind, the extra fascia cover in subfascial may confer some advantage and therefore all patients suitable for an 'over the muscle' approach in my practice undergo subfascial implant placement. And the recovery is the same. Good luck!
