Thousands of women consider breast implants each year. Whether you’re choosing to get them for cosmetic or reconstructive purposes, there are several things to consider. For instance, should you choose silicone or saline implants? Do you really need breast augmentation or would a mastopexy or breast lift be a better fit for you? And finally, would it be best to have your implants placed over or under the muscle? 

All of these are very good questions that you will need to discuss with your doctor. There is no one right answer, and what you choose will depend on several factors such as the amount of breast tissue, implant type, implant shape, body type, placement, and perceived safety. In today’s blog, we’re going to take a closer look at the over muscle versus under muscle implants and the pros and cons of each. It’s one of the most frequently asked questions we get, and it’s important to understand the purpose behind each one. If you have additional questions or are looking for a trusted and experienced surgeon to perform breast augmentation in Phoenix, please contact Webb Plastic Surgery. 

Under the Muscle Placement

Placing implants under the chest or pectoral muscle (also known as submuscular placement) is a slightly more involved procedure than over muscle placement and therefore there may be more discomfort during recovery. However, under muscle placement is the preferred method for those women who have little natural tissue. Placing the implant under the muscle offers a more natural contour and makes the edges less visible. There is also a reduced risk of visible wrinkles which can be common in patients who are particularly thin and don’t have enough tissue to cover the implant. 

There are some concerns with under muscle placement of implants. For instance, they come with a greater risk for displacement due to the constant force of the muscle on the implant. This can also cause them to become distorted — especially when the chest muscles flex.

Over the Muscle Placement

Over muscle placement of implants, also called subglandular placement, is recommended for women who already have a fair amount of breast tissue. If a woman with a small amount of tissue chooses over the muscle placement, she could risk having breasts that look artificially inflated since they will sit high on the chest without having the surrounding tissue to make them look natural.

Those who are good candidates for over the muscle placement are usually happy to hear that it is an easier procedure and the recovery period is usually shorter. This, combined with the reduced risk of rippling and distortion and a more natural-looking contour, are reasons why over the muscle placement is a better fit for some women. 

Unfortunately, over muscle implants still come with some concerns — even for women with adequate breast tissue to support them. For one, there’s a greater incidence of capsular contracture. This is when the scar tissue that normally forms around the implant tightens and squeezes the implant, which causes it to look distorted. Another concern is that there is a greater risk of seeing visible folds or wrinkles. However, this usually only occurs in women who have very little natural breast tissue. 

Consult With Your Doctor

If you’re considering breast implants, it’s important to consider all of your options. At Webb Plastic Surgery, we understand that getting breast implants is a personal choice and no one solution will work for everyone. We take the time to get to know our patients and listen to their concerns and goals. Whether you choose under muscle placement, over muscle placement, or an entirely different procedure altogether, we’ll make sure that you feel completely confident in your decision. 

For expert cosmetic and reconstructive breast augmentation in the Phoenix area, we encourage you to contact Webb Plastic Surgery to schedule a consultation.