Your Breast Augmentation Options - Under The Muscle Or Above?

Breast augmentation comes with a variety of options that you should consider before you go in for your surgery. The "above or below the muscle" debate has been raging for years, with surgeons advocating both options as the "safest" or "most natural-looking" one. Even the most highly qualified plastic surgeons can't agree on this point. For you, it can be a confusing mess. It's important to understand both options in order to decide which method is right for you.

Subpectoral Placement: Under The Muscle

Breast augmentation done underneath the muscle is called subpectoral placement. Many surgeons believe that this is the safest option when it comes to this procedure, although there are others that disagree. It should be noted, however, that the majority of surgeons tend to believe that placing the implant under the muscle will greatly reduce the chances of capsular contraction, one of the major risks of getting this kind of work done.

Many surgeons will suggest this option to women with minimal amounts of breast tissue since it reduces the amount of rippling that is often associated with breast augmentation implants and makes it look more real. In other words, it all depends on your body type and the shape of your chest area.

This option is also advocated as the one that prevents sagging since the implant is better "supported" by the muscle tissue. This is true in most cases, but it will also depend on the body type of the woman that is undergoing the procedure. Age is also a factor here.

Subglandular: Above The Muscle

When the implant is placed above the muscle it is called a subglandular implant. Women with a lot of breast tissue usually choose this option, since the outcome looks more "natural" on woman with this physical characteristic. Your surgeon will take your body type into account when he or she makes their recommendation.

Choosing The Option That Suits You Best

One of the main reasons surgeons find it so difficult to agree on one of these options is the fact that it is partly based on the personal preference of the surgeon and partly based on the patient's body. This is not a decision that you can make at home since you will need to provide your surgeon with information before he or she can take you through your options. Women tend to choose the option that looks the most natural and your surgeon must take your unique physical characteristics into account before he or she can help you decide which method is best.

Breast augmentation is not something that should be taken lightly and you should discuss all of your options with your doctor. If you choose the wrong method, you may find yourself spending extra money on corrective surgery. But if you get it right the first time, you'll have the wonderful, natural-looking breasts that you're dreaming of.