{"id":106676,"date":"2023-11-08T06:30:27","date_gmt":"2023-11-08T06:30:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mallorcamedicalgroup.es\/blog\/uncategorized\/breast-implants-above-or-below-the-muscle\/"},"modified":"2025-11-25T14:31:52","modified_gmt":"2025-11-25T14:31:52","slug":"breast-implants-above-or-below-the-muscle","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mallorcamedicalgroup.com\/en\/blog\/plastic-surgery-en\/breast-implants-above-or-below-the-muscle\/","title":{"rendered":"Breast implants: above or below the muscle?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;699965&#8243;]<\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_82_2 ez-toc-wrap-left counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Tabla de Contenidos<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/mallorcamedicalgroup.com\/en\/blog\/plastic-surgery-en\/breast-implants-above-or-below-the-muscle\/#Should_my_breast_implant_be_placed_above_or_below_the_muscle_A_fundamental_decision_in_breast_surgery\" >Should my breast implant be placed above or below the muscle? A fundamental decision in breast surgery<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/mallorcamedicalgroup.com\/en\/blog\/plastic-surgery-en\/breast-implants-above-or-below-the-muscle\/#Making_the_Important_Decision_Together_with_the_Best_Plastic_Surgeons_in_Spain\" >Making the Important Decision Together with the Best Plastic Surgeons in Spain<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/mallorcamedicalgroup.com\/en\/blog\/plastic-surgery-en\/breast-implants-above-or-below-the-muscle\/#Comparison_of_Breast_Implant_Placement_Options\" >Comparison of Breast Implant Placement Options<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/mallorcamedicalgroup.com\/en\/blog\/plastic-surgery-en\/breast-implants-above-or-below-the-muscle\/#Placement_of_the_Implant_above_the_Muscle\" >Placement of the Implant above the Muscle<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/mallorcamedicalgroup.com\/en\/blog\/plastic-surgery-en\/breast-implants-above-or-below-the-muscle\/#Under-the-Muscle_Implant_Placement\" >Under-the-Muscle Implant Placement<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Should_my_breast_implant_be_placed_above_or_below_the_muscle_A_fundamental_decision_in_breast_surgery\"><\/span><b>Should my breast implant be placed above or below the muscle? A fundamental decision in breast surgery<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Over the years, opinions about the placement of breast implants in a breast <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mallorcamedicalgroup.com\/procedimientos\/cirugia-plastica\/cirugia-mamaria\/aumento-de-pecho-con-protesis-o-con-grasa-propia\/\"><b>breast surgery<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> have varied enormously. The criteria taught to surgeons have been changing with each decade. Currently, there is a consensus that the decision on whether to place the <\/span><b>breast implant<\/b> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">above or below the pectoralis muscle depends on the individual patient.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mallorcamedicalgroup.com\/nosotros\/dr-garcia-ceballos\/\"><b>cosmetic surgeon<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> places the <\/span><b>implant<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> behind the muscle, it covers the upper part up to two-thirds of the implant, facilitating a smoother transition from the breast to the breast, and contributing to a better concealment of the implant. However, this method is not suitable for everyone. Aspects such as body type, amount of existing breast tissue, and desired outcome should be considered to determine the best implant position. The following are some guidelines that could be used as a reference in a <\/span><b>breast augmentation<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Zse4hyi3JmU?si=RLT0PLtFw-rxIoJA\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>If you have a small amount of breast tissue<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> You may prefer placement behind the muscle, as a position anterior to the muscle will not provide enough breast tissue to cover the implant, making the roundness of the implant more visible. The ideal is to have half or two-thirds of the implant covered by muscle, which facilitates a more natural appearance in the <\/span><b>operated breasts<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>If you have a moderate amount of breast tissue.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> In cases where there is approximately 2 cm or more of breast tissue (the surgeon will indicate the exact amount), there are real choices between placement above or below the muscle. This is where other criteria, such as the exercise routine, come into play in a <\/span><b>augmentation mammoplasty<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Implants located behind the muscle can be displaced by exercises involving the chest muscles, although there are modern surgical techniques that can minimize this effect. In addition, it does not appear that placement of the implant in front of the muscle presents a higher risk of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mallorcamedicalgroup.com\/blog\/mamas\/la-contraccion-capsular-puede-afectar-a-tu-aumento-mamario-te-explicamos-todo-lo-que-necesitas-saber\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">capsular contracture<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> was previously thought, of as a condition where the scar tissue surrounding the implant contracts and stiffens, affecting the shape and feel of the breast after breast <\/span><b>breast operation<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>If you have a little breast tissue and your breasts are &#8220;sagging&#8221; or &#8220;flabby&#8221;.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;:<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In this situation, opinions may vary and depend largely on individual anatomy. Some surgeons prefer to place the implant above the muscle, especially when the breast tissue and glands have descended into the abdomen, while the pectoral muscles remain in their original place. Place a <\/span><b>implant<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> behind the pectoralis muscle in such cases may result in an adequate initial result but with a high risk of double breast deformity soon after surgery. On the contrary, placing a breast prosthesis in front of or on top of the muscle could give a more natural looking breast, i.e. without deformities, although somewhat more sagging. This condition should be discussed at length with the surgeon.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><\/h3>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Making_the_Important_Decision_Together_with_the_Best_Plastic_Surgeons_in_Spain\"><\/span><b>Making the Important Decision Together with the Best Plastic Surgeons in Spain<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you are considering a <\/span><b>breast augmentation<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or revision, a crucial decision you&#8217;ll need to make with your surgeon is whether to place the new breast implants. <\/span><b>breast implants<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> above or below the pectoralis muscle. This choice is vital for several reasons, and in order to help you make an informed decision, the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mallorcamedicalgroup.com\/nosotros\/dr-garcia-ceballos\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dr. Garcia Ceballos<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">a board <\/span><b>board-certified plastic surgeon<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dr. Garcia Ceballos, a board-certified plastic surgeon, explains the differences between breast implant <\/span><b>breast implant<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in this post about <\/span><b>breast surgery<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><\/h3>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Comparison_of_Breast_Implant_Placement_Options\"><\/span><b>Comparison of Breast Implant Placement Options<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The position of the<\/span> <b>breast implant<\/b> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">is fundamental to obtaining the best aesthetic results and preventing problems such as capsular contracture and implant rippling in breast surgery.<\/span> <b>breast surgery<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. During the <\/span><b>breast operation,<\/b>&amp;nbsp;<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">breast implants, the<\/span> <b>implants<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> They are placed either under the breast tissue but over the pectoralis muscles, or under the breast tissue and partially under the pectoralis major muscle. Both locations can produce satisfactory results; however, each has its pros and cons, so your surgeon will evaluate your unique body type to determine which implant position is best for you.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><\/h3>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Placement_of_the_Implant_above_the_Muscle\"><\/span><b>Placement of the Implant above the Muscle<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Subglandular or &#8220;above the muscle&#8221; placement involves placing the breast implant in the<\/span> <b>breast implant<\/b> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">over the patient&#8217;s muscles, but under her skin, fat and glandular tissue.<\/span> <\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Advantages of subglandular placement of breast prostheses<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8211; Recovery is usually easier than with submuscular placement in a &#8220;boob job.<\/span>&amp;nbsp;<b>boob job&#8221; as it is<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">as it is commonly known.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8211; The pectoral muscles are not affected, preventing distortion of the implants during muscle movements in a breast augmentation.<\/span> <b>breast augmentation<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8211; A breast<\/span> <b>breast augmentation<\/b> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">more noticeable is possible because the implants are closer to the surface of the skin.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Disadvantages of sub-glandular placement of breast prostheses<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8211; Increased risk of rippling of the implant, especially if you have little breast tissue in an<\/span> <b>operated breasts<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Under-the-Muscle_Implant_Placement\"><\/span><b>Under-the-Muscle Implant Placement<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Submuscular or &#8220;under-the-muscle&#8221; placement involves placing the breast implant<\/span> <b>breast implant<\/b> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">under the pectoral muscles.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Advantages of submuscular placement of breast prostheses<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8211; Reduced risk of implant rippling, as the muscles provide additional coverage in a breast augmentation.<\/span> <b>breast augmentation<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8211; Implants feel more natural and integrate better with the existing breast tissue in a breast surgery<\/span> <b>breast surgery<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Disadvantages of submuscular placement of breast implants<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8211; Recovery can be more difficult and painful due to the manipulation of the muscle during surgery in a<\/span> boob job<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8211; Implants can move or distort during muscle movements, especially if you do exercises that involve the pectoral muscles in a<\/span> <b>fat breast augmentation<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ultimately, the decision about implant placement should be the result of a collaborative discussion between you and your surgeon at a <\/span><b>breast surgery price<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. It is important that you feel comfortable with your surgeon and trust his or her judgment and expertise in <\/span><b>breast augmentation<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mallorcamedicalgroup.com\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mallorca Medical Group<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We strive to offer you the best care and results from the hand of Dr. Garcia Ceballos, a recognized specialist in plastic surgery. We also provide you with immediate financing for your breast surgery. We invite you to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mallorcamedicalgroup.com\/nosotros\/dr-garcia-ceballos\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">learn more about him and his career<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. We hope to see you soon! Request an appointment <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/ofimedic.beservices.es\/vpn\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">here.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p>You can access a virtual consultation with Dr. Garcia Ceballos before going in person in the following video.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/gERjJBOzP2Y?si=CkhCfB2XAwwr0Abw\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">References:<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/journals.lww.com\/plasreconsurg\/abstract\/2012\/10000\/breast_augmentation.40.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Adams, W. P., Jr., &amp; Mallucci, P. (2012). Breast Augmentation. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 130(4), 597e-611e.<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/books.google.es\/books?hl=es&amp;lr=&amp;id=3A8i0L_MFgMC&amp;oi=fnd&amp;pg=PP1&amp;dq=Hammond,+D.+C.+(2009).+Atlas+of+Aesthetic+Breast+Surgery.+Saunders+Elsevier.&amp;ots=EgL6AljLwk&amp;sig=yW44r1DcOQ7wJqV2irKz86YcAw8#v=onepage&amp;q&amp;f=false\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Hammond, D. C. (2009). Atlas of Aesthetic Breast Surgery. Saunders Elsevier.<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;699965&#8243;] Should my breast implant be placed above or below the muscle? A fundamental decision in breast surgery Over [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":105801,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[115,177,682],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-106676","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-plastic-surgery-en","category-mamas-en","category-consejos-cirugia-plastica-en"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mallorcamedicalgroup.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/106676","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mallorcamedicalgroup.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mallorcamedicalgroup.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mallorcamedicalgroup.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mallorcamedicalgroup.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=106676"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/mallorcamedicalgroup.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/106676\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":107086,"href":"https:\/\/mallorcamedicalgroup.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/106676\/revisions\/107086"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mallorcamedicalgroup.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/105801"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mallorcamedicalgroup.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=106676"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mallorcamedicalgroup.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=106676"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mallorcamedicalgroup.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=106676"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}