Our patients often ask: “What is the best placement for breast implants?” At Chicago’s Whole
Beauty® Institute, we believe that choosing the right placement is an important aspect of helping you achieve the best results possible.
Breast augmentation is a popular cosmetic procedure that involves the insertion of breast implants to enhance the size and shape of the breasts. Implant placement is a critical component of this surgery, and it can significantly impact the final outcome of the procedure.
Here’s a basic guide to what you need to know about implant placement for breast augmentation.
Implant Placement Options
There are two main implant placement options: submuscular and subglandular. Submuscular placement involves inserting the implant under the chest muscle, while subglandular placement involves placing the implant behind the breast tissue, but over the chest muscle. The best option for you will depend on several factors, including your body type, breast size, and personal preference.
Subglandular Implant Placement
Subglandular implant placement involves positioning the implant behind the breast tissue but over the chest muscle. This is the simplest implant placement technique. This placement is suitable for women who have enough breast tissue to cover the implant and the breast tissue can provide some padding to soften the edges of the implant. This placement typically results in a shorter recovery period because it does not involve the chest muscle. It may provide more significant lift to the breasts, especially if the patient has mild sagging. It can also provide more pronounced projection of the breast and cleavage.
One thing to consider about this placement is that the implant may be more visible or palpable under the skin, especially for women with less breast tissue. The edges of the implant may be more noticeable, so it can make the presence of an implant more obvious.
Subglandular augmentation can be an attractive choice for athletic patients, since contraction of the pectoral muscles will not cause a subglandular implant to move. For thinner athletic patients, it is sometimes possible to camouflage the implant with fat transfer to the breast or with placement of the upper portion of the implant under the fascia over the pectoralis muscle.
Submuscular Implant Placement
Submuscular implant placement involves placing the implant under the chest muscle. This placement is suitable for women who have little breast tissue and require more coverage for the implant or those who want to avoid excess visibility of the implant, especially in the upper portions of the breast. Submuscular implant placement provides more coverage for the implant, resulting in a more natural appearance. It can reduce the risk of implant rippling or visible edges.
What is the best placement for breast implants?
Ultimately, it depends on the patient’s anatomy, personal preferences, and a range of other factors. Our Chicago-based Whole Beauty® Institute team will explain more. Call us at 312-751-2112 (Chicago Gold Coast Office) or 847-446-7562 (North Shore (Winnetka) Office), or submit a contact form.