Are most implants under or over muscle?

The term submuscular, or “under the muscle”, implant placement is somewhat misleading: while the breast implant is placed underneath a patient's skin, fat, glands, and pectoralis major muscle (the outermost chest muscle), most surgeons actually place the implant on top of the inner pectoralis minor and serratus muscles ...


Do breast implants look better under or over the muscle?

Breast implants placed under the muscle are ideal for offering a more natural breast contour, especially in extremely thin patients or those who do not have a lot of breast tissue. If saline implants are chosen, these should always be placed below the muscle to prevent rippling in the cleavage line.

Do all implants go under the muscle?

Implants may be placed either over the muscle or under the muscle, and there are several factors which help determine the optimal implant placement for each individual patient, including: Your body type. Your current health. The actual size (cc's) of the implants.


Do over the muscle implants look bigger than under the muscle?

Initially over the muscle implants may appear bigger than if you were to have under the muscle implants, however, this is temporary and mainly due to swelling and the implants sitting high on the chest following breast surgery.

Do implants under the muscle look smaller?

Placing the implant below the muscle does typically make the implant look slightly smaller as the muscle will give the implant a touch more of a natural slope. It also compresses the implant, which makes the breast look slightly smaller.


Breast Implants Above or Below the Muscle?



Do breast implants look more natural under the muscle?

Should you have a sufficient amount of skin and breast tissue, positioning implants underneath the muscle (subpectoral/submuscular placement) can often produce extremely natural-looking results.

Do breasts look bigger after implants drop and fluff?

Your breast implants may appear to be bigger or fuller once they've dropped to a lower, more natural-looking position on your chest and "fluffed" into a rounder and softer shape. Changes in the size or shape of your new breasts after augmentation can also occur as swelling and tightness subside.

Does under the muscle look more natural?

The under the muscle or submuscular approach involves placing the implants below the chest muscle. This is usually a good option for women with little native breast tissue, as the muscle offers greater coverage. The results tend to look more natural than breasts that are placed above the muscle.


Why do my new implants look so small?

After surgery, the implants tend to ride hide and appear small due to the patient's skin tightness in the area. There is tightness because the implants increase dimension to breast tissue causing the skin to compress the implant's shape and size.

Which implant feels more natural?

Silicone breast implants tend to feel more like natural breast tissue than saline alternatives. This is particularly true of the form stable (“gummy bear”) breast implant, which is filled with a cohesive gel that mimics the feel of natural breast tissue almost perfectly.

Do implants under the muscle take longer to drop?

Implants that are placed above the muscle (subglandular placement) typically drop faster than breast implants placed under the muscle (submuscular placement). Breast implant type — Cohesive gel “gummy bear” breast implants typically drop faster than saline implants and traditional silicone breast implants.


Do breast implants look smaller at first?

Breast Implants Start High

Your breasts may also look smaller than you were hoping for. At first, the muscle and breast tissues are tight, compressing your implant. In time, these tissues will relax and loosen, and the breast implant drop will occur and develop into a more natural-looking position.

Do implants over the muscle sag?

The truth is, whether implants are placed over or under the muscle, it will have very little to do with sagging. Sagging is commonly caused by weight gain or loss, pregnancy and gravity over time. It's easiest to remember it this way – it's the breasts that sag, not the implants.

Is under the muscle breast implants more painful?

Implant Position

Sub-muscular implants are those that are placed beneath the muscle of the breast, meaning the implant is beneath the entire breast tissue, and tend to cause more soreness during healing because the muscle is stretching to accommodate the implant.


What is the best breast implant placement?

Under the Muscle = Partial Submuscular
  • Allows for a smoother transition from the chest wall to the implant.
  • Provides more tissue coverage.
  • Typically achieves a more natural-looking result than subglandular placement.


What I wish I knew before getting breast implants?

Implants have their risks, so do your research.

Over 10% of patients reportedly experience capsular contraction, a hardening of the breast caused by shrinking scar tissue around the implant. It's possible to develop an infection, which could happen days, years, or even decades after the procedure.

How long do I have to sleep sitting up after breast augmentation?

When Can I Sleep on My Side After Breast Augmentation? After sleeping in an elevated position on your back for at least four to six weeks, you can usually transition to just sleeping on your back, flat on your bed, for a few weeks.


How long does it take for breast implants to soften?

The softening process is referred to as “fluffing”, and can last anywhere from eight weeks to six months. If your breasts feel hard longer than six months, see your plastic surgeon. Postoperative swelling contributes to the firmness of newly-placed breast implants, as does their placement.

Why under the muscle implants are better?

Under the muscle placement has the advantage of looking more natural because your breast tissue and muscle are covering the implant. Other benefits of submuscular placement include: A lower risk of visible implant rippling. Better imaging with mammograms.

Is Submuscular or Subglandular better?

While submuscular placement is generally preferred due to its reduced risk of post-surgical complications, the procedure typically takes longer, and revision surgeries may be more complicated.


How do you tell if implants are under the muscle?

There is a simple test for this. If you place your hands on your hips and press inwards this contracts the muscle of your chest. If the implants are behind the muscle the top of the implant will flatten. If they are over the muscle the breast implants will not flatten because they are not being squeezed by the muscle.

How tight should my sports bra be after breast augmentation?

How tight should my bra be after breast augmentation? The ideal fit for a post-surgery bra should be snug but not tight. The best indicator that your bra fits correctly is that it's comfortable, and although you might feel some pressure, this isn't excessive or painful.

Do breast implants make your stomach look smaller?

Depending on the size and shape of your breast implants, you may experience the feeling and look of a tighter stomach, though your implants will not actually change the condition of your stomach. Breast implants can help accentuate weight loss and make your results appear far more dramatic.


How long do I have to wear my surgical bra after breast augmentation?

Typically, most patients will be required to wear a compression bra during their initial part of recovery (two weeks after surgery). At that point, you can switch to a compression sports bra but make sure to avoid anything with an underwire. This can be worn for another two weeks, day and night.

What type of breast implants look the most natural?

Gummy bear implants are a type of silicone implant made from a form-stable, cohesive gel. Their unique filling material and teardrop shape provide the most natural-looking results of all breast implant options.