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Introduction: What is a Breast Lift with Implants over the Muscle?
The placement of breast implants under the muscle has been universally advocated for the last two decades. The placement of implants under the muscle has been preferred since it is associated with a reduced risk of capsular contracture. Capsular contracture describes the development of a thickened scar that forms around the implant resulting in the undesirable firmness of breast mounds and even subjective tenderness.
Reduction in the incidence of capsular contracture with placement of implants under the muscle has been attributed to the continuous message of the implants with spontaneous and unavoidable activation of the pectoralis muscle with routine movements.
So why would anybody consider the placement of implants over the muscle? Furthermore, what would influence a patient from desiring placement of their implants over the muscle following a breast lift?
Rational for patients desiring a breast lift with implants over the Muscle
Many women seek a breast lift with implants to counter sagging of the breasts, an unavoidable consequence of aging that is associated with loss of volume and drooping of the breast tissues that follows weight loss or following pregnancy and childbirth.
There are two specific components to this surgery. The two parts include breast augmentation, which focuses on increasing volume and a breast lift, which focuses on reshaping and repositioning the breasts. Breast lift surgery with implants offers a variety of implant sizes and styles to enhance the results of your breast lift.
In the case of a breast lift with implants, the implant is routinely positioned under the muscle to reduce the risk of capsular contracture. However, there is a subset of women who may wish to have their implants positioned in front of the muscle.
The decision to go above the muscle primarily depends on the patient’s body type. Patients who work out more often and have developed strong pectoral muscles most likely need the implant placed above the muscle.
Benefits of placing the implant below the muscle
There are many advantages to placing the implant under the muscle following a breast lift. For one, placing the implant under the muscle provides superior protection of the implant. Since the implant is under the muscle it is less susceptible to infection and/or injury. It is also less likely to be palpable especially when you consider that a breast lift will thin out the breast skin envelope making the implants more noticeable.
The most important benefit of placing implants under the muscle is to prevent encapsulation. A capsule forming in the implant can cause undesirable deformities in the breast. When the implant is placed below the muscle, it is massaged by the pectoral muscle, which creates a gentle upper slope from the chest and prevents any breast deformities from occurring. As a result, you see the most natural results with a smooth contour from the top of the chest down to the breasts.
Unfortunately, placing the implant below the muscle is more invasive and requires a longer recovery time.
Benefits of placing the implant above the muscle
For patients with more developed pectoral muscles, the implant is placed above the muscle. When the implants are to be placed under the muscle, the pectoral muscle has to be released. Since the muscle in an athletic female would be larger, this release would result in a more visible deformity, coined hyperdynamic deformity.
The hyperdynamic deformity describes an unnatural contour appearance of the chest when the patient flexes their pectoral muscles. To avoid hyperdynamic deformity and any other aesthetic complications, the implant may be requested to be placed above the muscle. Another advantage is that this surgery is less invasive; therefore, less painful and provides shorter recovery times.
The only drawback of getting a breast lift with implants above the muscle is it may not look as natural as a breast lift with implants below the muscle. Since there is no muscle above the implant, the body doesn’t offer as smooth a transition from the upper chest down to the breast that could be found in breast lift with the implant below the muscle. Additionally, there is a theoretically increased risk of developing capsular contracture.
Conclusion: What is a Breast Lift with Implants over the Muscle?
A breast lift with implants over the muscle is reserved for patients who are extremely athletic and who possess a very well-developed pectoralis muscle. In these unique patients, releasing the pectoralis muscle would result in a more exaggerated deformity when the pectoralis muscle was activated. Regardless of your procedure, incredible care is taken to deliver the very best aesthetic and functional results. At the SurgiSculpt patients always leave with fuller breasts and incredible contour to compliment a natural aesthetic.
A 41-year-old female who was initially seen wanting to know what is a breast lift with implants over the muscle?