Destin Plastic Surgery
The Grant Building
4485 Furling Lane
Destin, FL 32541
Phone: (850) 654-1194
Monday–Thursday: 7 a.m.–5 p.m.
Friday 7 a.m.–2 p.m.
Anti Aging Skincare Clinic
The Grant Building
4485 Furling Lane
Destin, FL 32541
Phone: (850) 654-8015
Monday–Thursday: 7:30 a.m.–5 p.m.
Friday 7:30 a.m.–2 p.m.
Implant Placement
Submuscular VS. Subglandular
With the development of fiber optic technology the transaxillary approach (placement through the under arm incision) has become a technically more precise procedure. The endoscope (a fiber optic camera) allows the implant pocket to be well defined and easily visualized which insures a more accurate placement of the implant. The endoscopic technique also lends itself to placing the implant in a submuscular (under the pectoral muscle) versus a subglandular (under the breast gland) position.
For our breast augmentation patients from Panama City, Pensacola, Destin, placing breast implants beneath the pectoral muscles (submuscular placement) offers the following 3 major advantages:
- Decreased rate of capsule contracture
- More tissue to cover the implant to prevent the implant from being easily seen or felt
- Support of the breast gland by the underlying muscle to diminish future droop
For more information about breast enhancement procedures, request a consultationrequest a consultation online to meet with Dr. William Burden or call our office at (850) 654-1194.
A Reputation Built on Results
Capsular Contracture And Rippling
Capsular contracture is the term used to describe the formation of scar tissue around the implant which, when thickened, can make the implant feel hard and round. Although the implant itself remains soft, the scar tissue “squeezes” the implant, which makes the implant itself feel hard. In the submuscular position, the rate of capsular contracture is decreased in general from 15% to 3%. That’s a significant difference.
“Rippling” occurs when the implant shell is easily felt beneath the skin. With subglandular augmentation, the possibility of this occurring is greater than with the submuscular position. Large studies have shown that the chance of “rippling” is 3 times greater with subglandular augmentation than with submuscular augmentation. Additionally, when implants are placed in the submuscular position “there is the important added advantage of improved mammography.”
Separating the breast gland from the underlying muscle removes one of the breast “supports.” This can lead to accelerated breast droop. Also, by removing the blood supply from the undersurface of the breast, a future breast lift will be more difficult if needed.
The disadvantage of the subglandular placement versus submuscular placement in breast augmentation is that the postoperative recovery is lengthened and the patient may experience more postoperative discomfort. In addition, there may be more motion of the implant with forceful pectoral contracture.
All things considered, the submuscular placement of an implant is the least at risk for the complications of capsular contracture, “rippling” and breast droop.
Dr. William Burden
Founder, Destin Plastic Surgery
Dr. Burden is a fully trained plastic surgeon, certified in cosmetic surgery of the face, breast, and body. He knows that building a distinguished career doesn't happen overnight. He's been serving the community for more than 2 decades, providing personalized aesthetic care and leading the field with pioneering techniques.
