Where exactly are the implants placed?
Implants may be placed in one of two locations. They may be placed above the pectoralis muscle, deep to the breast tissue (“subglandular”) or under the pectoralis muscle just above the chest wall/ribs (“subpectoral”). Women who have a moderate amount of breast tissue are candidates for a subglandular placement. The majority of women, however, do not have sufficient breast tissue and are better off with a subpectorally placed implant. In order to place the implant deep to the muscle, the lower portion of the muscle is sometimes partially cut during surgery. The advantages of a subpectorally placed implant are a decreased rate of capsular contracture and a decreased incidence of implant wrinkling. In addition, less breast tissue is obscured on a mammogram.
