Cosmetic Surgery Charleston Dr. Widenhouse Blog

Once you have decided that breast augmentation is right for you, one thing you must consider is the placement of the breast implant. This placement depends on your ultimate aesthetic goals. Are you athletic or just wanting to restore the breasts you had prior to getting pregnant? Dr. Widenhouse offers more than one way of placing your breast implants and will help guide you after speaking with you during your consultation. Breast implants are placed either above or below the pectoralis muscle.

Subpectoral or Submuscular Breast Implant Placement
Submuscular breast implant placement is very common. If you have small breasts, then this is the option best suited for you. Submuscular placement means less chance of capsular contracture and rippling, and does not interfere with mammogram results. However, it requires general anesthetic and there may be more pain, discomfort and swelling, and therefore a more lengthy recovery than placement above the muscle.

Subglandular Breast Implant Placement
Subglandular breast implant placement means implants are placed above the pectoralis muscle, but below the breast tissue. Women who are athletic may look more natural with subglandular placement. There is a shorter recovery period and less pain and swelling than with breast implants placed submuscularly. Intravenous sedation and local anesthetic are both options with this type of breast implant placement. There is more of a risk of capsular contraction, rippling, and may interfere with mammograms.

If you are interested in breast implants and would like to learn more about breast implant placement options in the Charleston, South Carolina area, please contact experienced breast augmentation surgeon Brian G. Widenhouse, M.D. at Port City Plastic Surgery for an initial consultation.