Breast Implant Placements Explained

Over, under the muscle or dual plane placements – what’s it all about?

Many patients are not sure what these terms really mean and how it applies to them when they are undergoing breast surgery with an implant.

FACT – the words ‘over the muscle’ mean the same as ‘in front of the muscle’ and ‘under the muscle’ mean the same as ‘behind the muscle’

Quick summery of placements

Under Muscle

The most common implant placement technique is under the muscle. This technique uses a breast implant which is placed partially under the chest muscle.

Under the muscle provides an extra layer of protection and support for the implant and due to this can sometimes have a more natural looking result and slightly less risk of capsular contracture. However, the risk is greater for patients to have an “animation deformity” during some movements as the chest muscle “flexes” over the implant.

This type of placement may not be suitable for patients who are heavily involved in exercise, body sculpting or just generally don’t have much of their own breast tissue to cover it.

A typical patient suitable for under the muscle:

• Thin – less overall body fat
• Less breast tissue
• Wanting a more natural looking result

Over Muscle

Over the muscle breast implant placement has become much more commonplace in recent years. This technique uses a breast implant which is placed over the chest muscle.

This is a decision that hinges on several factors like your natural body type and the size and type of implants you select. Over the muscle patients suffer from less risk of ‘animation deformity’ and often have quicker recovery times but can sometimes have a more ‘fake’ appearance depending on your own anatomy and how much natural breast tissue you have to begin with.

A typical patient suitable for over the muscle:

• Substantial breast tissue
• Wanting more fake result
• Heavy exercise so require less muscle animation

Dual Plane

Dual plane, where the implant is partially under and partially over the muscle, offers to a lesser degree, the pros and cons of both over and under.

So, a woman who has not much tissue coverage at the top of her breasts, wants not to look fake but does have some sag in the lower part of her breasts but not enough to need a formal breast lift, would benefit from a dual plane placement. Under the muscle at the top to maximise coverage and thus minimise fakeness and over the muscle at the bottom to maximise the lifting effect of her implants.

A typical patient suitable for dual plane:

• Little breast tissue
• Slight sag of breast tissue
• Require benefits of above muscle, but little tissue coverage

Remember, there is no ‘one approach fits all’ if you want to get the best result you can. At MINKST we offer all three placements and your surgeon will work with you to determine the best one for your individual circumstances.

Get started below, to start your MINKST journey and get a free 3D Simulation of your potential surgery outcome.