Subglandular Breast Augmentation

Current breast size, amount of breast tissue, and exercise habits factor into the decision of whether to place a breast implant over or under the pectoral muscle. Subglandular breast augmentation places the implant over the chest muscle.

Subglandular Breast Implant Placement

Subglandular, or submammary, breast augmentation involves the placement of the breast implant between the pectoral muscle and the mammary gland of the breast. This is sometimes referred to as over-the-muscle placement, since the breast implant is placed over the chest muscle, not beneath it as in submuscular breast augmentation.

Transaxillary (underarm) breast augmentation incisions, inframammary (fold) breast augmentation incisions, areola (nipple) breast augmentation incisions, and T.U.B.A. (navel) breast augmentation incisions can all be used for subglandular breast implant placement.

Advantages of Subglandular Placement

Subglandular breast implant placement has numerous advantages, especially relating to the actual breast enlargement surgery and to discomfort levels after breast augmentation surgery.

Without the need to manipulate the pectoral muscle, a breast implant is very easy for a surgeon to place. Additionally, subglandular breast augmentation provides easier access to the breast implant if there is a need for a subsequent operation.

Since the muscles are left intact and only skin and fat are cut, subglandular breast implant patients typically experience less postoperative pain and discomfort and require less recovery time than patients who receive implants under the chest muscle.

Cleavage is more easily created with subglandular placement than with submuscular breast augmentation, particularly for breasts that are naturally spaced far apart.

Although either breast implant placement can be used, many athletic women, especially those involved in weight training and body sculpting, tend to prefer subglandular breast augmentation since a breast implant placed under the pectoral muscle may look unnatural and may shift when chest muscles are flexed.

Disadvantages of Subglandular Placement

Subglandular breast augmentation has both cosmetic and physical disadvantages, which sway some women to choose breast implant placement beneath the pectoral muscle instead of the faster-healing over-the-muscle placement.

It is believed that a breast implant placed under the muscle has a more natural slope and feel than one placed over the muscle. With subglandular breast augmentation, ripples in the breasts caused by a breast implant are more easily seen and felt, especially in women with little or no breast tissue. Also, there tends to more pronounced "roundness" in subglandular breast implants.

The position of a breast implant after subglandular breast augmentation makes imaging during a mammography exam more difficult. This can hinder early detection of breast cancer.

Capsular contracture rates are highest in women with breast implants placed over the pectoral muscle. Capsular contracture is the tightening of scar tissue surrounding a breast implant that makes the implant seem to harden. This creates an unnatural look and feel to the breasts and may become painful as it progresses.

Find a Plastic Surgeon in Your Area through DocShop

During a consultation, a qualified breast surgeon can further discuss the pros and cons of each breast implant placement option. Your surgeon can also discuss other variables of breast augmentation surgery and help you achieve the look you have dreamed of. Use the DocShop physician directory to locate a local cosmetic surgeon who is skilled in breast augmentation.