Breast Implant Placement Options

Glendale, Phoenix, Tempe, Scottsdale, Mesa, Surprise, & Peoria, AZ

When you decide to undergo breast augmentation, one of the most important decisions you will need to make involves breast implant placement. Depending on your situation and the results you are looking for, each option comes with certain advantages and disadvantages.
The three main types of breast implant placement are:

  • Subpectoral
  • Subglandular
  • Dual-plane

During your consultation, Dr. Angelchik will discuss each placement option with you and recommend the one he thinks best fits your needs.

Subpectoral Placement

Subpectoral placement involves placing the breast implant either partially or completely underneath your chest muscles (pectoralis major). Patients who undergo this type of breast implant placement are less likely to experience sagging and rippling, as the muscles provide additional support and coverage for the implant.

Subpectoral placement comes with several other advantages, including:

  • Reduced risk of capsular contracture
  • A more natural look and feel
  • Less interference with a mammogram

Patients who desire very large implants should be aware that subpectoral placement can limit the size of the implant you will be able to use, and you may experience a longer recovery time. Despite these drawbacks, the many benefits of subpectoral placement make it the most common breast implant placement method at Dr. Angelchik’s practice.

Subglandular Placement

For patients who prefer a higher and more dramatic look, subglandular placement is a valuable option. During this type of placement, your breast implants will be inserted above the chest muscles, but still underneath your breast tissue. Subglandular placement allows for:

  • A larger implant size
  • More lift
  • A shorter recovery time

However, patients should weigh some disadvantages against these benefits. Women who have less natural breast tissue might find their implants are more obvious and visible, and the chances of rippling are greater. The risk of capsular contracture also goes up dramatically compared to the subpectoral approach. Because of this, subglandular placement is rarely recommended.

Dual-Plane Placement

The dual-plane approach is used most frequently for patients who have pseudoptosis (breast droop) or high breast creases, since it allows for greater control of the breast’s lower pole shape and filling. During dual-plane placement, breast implants are placed beneath the chest muscles in the upper pole of the breast, and in the subglandular position in the lower pole of the breast.

Like subpectoral placement, the dual-plane method has the benefits of:

  • Muscle coverage in the cleavage and upper pole areas
  • Less risk of capsular contracture and rippling
  • A more natural breast shape

Each of these breast implant placement methods can be discussed in greater detail during a personal consultation with Dr. Angelchik. If you live in the Phoenix, Scottsdale, or Glendale areas of Arizona and are considering a breast augmentation, please contact us today. Our experienced plastic surgery team will be happy to answer your questions.

FREE Cosmetic Consultation