Most San Diego women considering breast augmentation think primarily about how implant size, shape and profile will affect their final profile. There’s another important part of the equation that needs to be considered too: implant placement. The placement of your implant will affect not only the appearance of your breasts, but also the healing process and how you breasts will feel after the surgery.
Placement Options
The two primary placements for breast implants are subglandular or submuscular. With subglandular placement, the implants are situated between the woman’s natural breast tissue and the chest muscles. Subglandular placement improves cleavage, and may result in a faster and more comfortable recovery. Subglandular placement is best for women who have a generous amount of natural breast tissue to cushion the implant.
In submuscular placement, implants rest behind the chest muscles. This is the more popular placement of the two, as it allows for better soft tissue coverage over the implants, limiting their visibility. Women with less natural breast tissue may see implant edges or surface rippling after subglandular placement. Submuscular placement adds volume rather than cleavage, and resists the effects of gravity longer than subglandular placement.
The Right Choice
Since every woman’s breasts are different, there’s no one correct choice when deciding on implant placement. We’ll discuss your preferences during your initial breast augmentation consultation at my San Diego practice; my primary goal is to give you the best results possible for your body, and we’ll work together to decide which placement will deliver those results.
Dr. Alexander received his Medical Degree from the University of Maryland School of Medicine, one of the country’s first medical schools, and then had five years of intensive general surgery training at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, serving as chief resident in 1993-1994. There he was one of two residents honored “Outstanding Teacher” by the Whitehead Society.
After becoming Board Certified in General Surgery, Dr. Alexander attended the University of California San Francisco, one of the premiere Plastic Surgery programs in the United States. There he completed two additional years of residency training in Plastic Surgery. Dr. Alexander is double board certified in Surgery and Plastic Surgery and is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons.
Dr. Alexander specializes in facial rejuvenation, and was the first surgeon in California to perform the QuickLift,™ a revolutionary surgical procedure that takes years off the face with less downtime than traditional facelifts. He is a specialist in chemical peels and laser surgery and was selected to author the chapter “Facial Resurfacing” in Plastic Surgery, the premiere textbook of the specialty. He also specializes in facial cancer reconstruction and endoscopic, minimally-invasive procedures, publishing his own original research about endoscopic plastic surgery. He lectures in medical forums and has presented his results at both national and international surgical meetings.
