Under vs. Over The Muscle Breast Augmentation: Which Is Better?

Breast augmentation is most often done with a set of implants placed under or over the muscle tissue. This is done in order to enhance the size and the shape of the breasts while maintaining a natural, youthful look.

But questions remain about the placement of the breast implants. Some implants are placed over the muscle tissue, which is essentially between breast tissue and muscle tissue. Other implants are placed under the muscle tissue, flush with the rib cage.
Why are breast implants done both ways, and is one way better than the other? Let’s find out.

Over The Muscle Breast Implants

Breast implants placed over the muscle are also called subglandular implants. This is because the implants are underneath the mammary glands. Keep in mind that with both types of implants, breast feeding is possible and there’s generally no hindrance to it at all.

There are several benefits to over the muscle breast implants, including:

• A less involved surgical procedure. The procedure is slightly shorter and is a little less invasive.
• A lower recovery time. Because of the nature of the procedure, recovery is a little bit shorter.
• More of a cleavage appearance. Implant placement can be moved so that the breasts appear closer together.
• Can lift sagging breasts a little better.
• An ability to use larger implants. If the patient wants to increase their breast size by several cups, doing it over the muscle is a little easier. This depends on the patient, though.

Under The Muscle Breast Implants

Breast implants placed under the muscle are also called submuscular implants. This is because the implants are underneath the muscle tissue.

The benefits to an under the muscle breast implant include:

• A more natural look to the breast. Because the implants are covered by the breast tissue and the muscle, the breast looks a bit less unnatural and a bit more lifted.
• Less wear to the skin. The muscle supports the implants position and prevents the implant from causing rippling or any skin distortion.
• Lowered risk of capsular contracture. Capsular contracture is a painful condition where scar tissue develops around the breast implant. This causes the breast to become hard.
• Lowered risk of “bottoming out”, which happens as time goes on.

Under Muscle vs. Over Muscle Breast Implants: Which Wins?

The answer is: it depends!

If you want larger implants and are less concerned about rippling or an unnatural look, choose an over the muscle implant. If you’re looking more for a slight augmentation and would rather avoid unnatural looking breasts, choose an under the muscle implant.

Generally, we will make our recommendations for your breast augmentation at Las Vegas Body Sculpting. That’s because the choice of implant and the way it’s done are related to your body shape, your desired size, and your own history of cosmetic surgery.