Breast Augmentation

Breast augmentation surgery has become a common procedure for plastic surgeons. The procedure has faced controversy and criticism, but a recent survey of women who have had breast augmentations performed shows that ninety-four percent would recommend the surgery to other women. Implants have become socially acceptable over the years and the process has become accessible to more women and it is safer than ever.

After a woman has decided to have augmentative surgery, she needs to do some research. One thing to consider is whether to have the implants placed above the pectoral muscle or below the muscle. Subglandular placement is between the pectoral muscle and the mammary glands. The subglandular placement is above the pectoral muscle.

The benefits of having subglandular implants include less recovery time and easier surgery. The implants do not enter the pectoral muscle and healing time is relatively quick. The muscle is not directly connected to the implant, so the implants are not affected when the pectoral muscle is flexed.

There are drawbacks to subglandular breast augmentation. Capsular contracture is more likely in subglandular breast implants than in implants that are set in the muscle. Capsular contracture is the hardening of scar tissue in the breasts due to surgery. The scar tissue may become inflamed. The implants may interfere with mammograms. The implant is only covered by skin and glands, so there is a good chance of rippling in the skin.

A woman can opt to have subpectoral placement in breast augmentation. This placement is partially beneath the muscle. The top of the implant is placed under the muscle and the bottom is not. This breast implant placement is also known as retropectoral. Benefits to subpectoral placements are that there is less chance of visible rippling of the skin and there is a lower risk of capsular contracture.

One common problem with subpectoral implants is that they are less likely to look natural. If the pectoral muscle is flexed, the implant may be contracted into an unnatural form. There still may be visible rippling at the bottom of the implant. Subpectoral implants also lack support and more surgery may be necessary to lift the breasts after a few years.

Another alternative placement is fully submuscular. Breast augmentation that involves fully submuscular implants involves the most invasive surgery. The benefits of this placement are the same as subpectoral placement. In addition, this placement has a very low risk of rippling in the skin and the implants do not interfere with mammograms.

The major drawback to submuscular implants is that the implants do move as the skin sags. This can create what is known as a “double bubble”. The woman may appear to have two large bumps under her sagging breasts and more surgery may be required to lift the sagging tissue.

Most plastic surgeons prefer subpectoral or fully submuscular placement when performing breast augmentation surgery. However, each patient is different and some may have physical characteristics that are best suited to subglandular placement.