An implant placement between the breast and the chest muscle is called a sub glandular placement and a breast implant placed behind the chest muscle is called a sub muscular placement. With sub glandular placement the surgery and recovery time is shorter and less painful, but there is more risk of the implant hardening and deforming (capsular contracture) and it can cause difficulties with mammography imaging. The sub muscular placement tends to be more uncomfortable and the recovery time longer but achieves a more natural breast appearance and decreases the risk of problems with mammography.
There are three main types of incisions commonly used to insert breast implants, and these should be discussed with the surgeon beforehand:
1) The Periareolar incision is made around the nipple and leaves minimal scarring but potentially causes breastfeeding difficulties.
2) An Inframammory incision is the most popular incision because it doesn’t cause problems with breastfeeding or leave bad scars. Small cuts are made underneath each breast to insert the breast implant.
3) The Axillary incision is made in the armpit
area around the side of the breast and will leave more of a visible scar
than the other incisions, but doesn’t cause difficulties with
breastfeeding.
