Choosing a Surgeon | Choosing an Implant | Choosing the Surgical Incision Site | Choosing the Type of Implant Placement | General Description of Breast Implant Surgery | After the Surgery | Choices in Reconstructive Procedures | Breast Reconstruction with Breast Implants | Immediate reconstruction is one-stage or two-stage reconstruction | Breast Reconstruction with Tissue Flaps | Questions to Ask Your Surgeon about Breast Augmentation | Questions to Ask Your Surgeon about Breast Reconstruction
Breast Implant Surgery
Choosing the Type of Implant Placement
The breast implant can be placed either submuscularly or subglandularly. You should discuss with your surgeon the pros and cons of the implant placement selected for you.
| Submuscular Placement Possible Results | Subglandular Placement Possible Results |
|---|---|
| Surgery may be longer | Surgery may be shorter |
| Recovery may be longer | Recovery may be shorter |
| Reoperation may be more difficult | May provide easier access for reoperation |
| Less palpable implants | More palpable implants |
| Easier imaging during mammography exam | More difficult imaging during mammography exam |
The sketches below show the differences between subglandular and submuscular placement of your implant compared to a breast before augmentation. The sketches below show the differences between subglandular and submuscular placement of your implant compared to a breast before augmentation.66
 |  |  |
| Breast before augmentation | Breast after subglandular augmentation | Breast after submuscular augmentation |
Choosing a Surgeon | Choosing an Implant | Choosing the Surgical Incision Site | Choosing the Type of Implant Placement | General Description of Breast Implant Surgery | After the Surgery | Choices in Reconstructive Procedures | Breast Reconstruction with Breast Implants | Immediate reconstruction is one-stage or two-stage reconstruction | Breast Reconstruction with Tissue Flaps | Questions to Ask Your Surgeon about Breast Augmentation | Questions to Ask Your Surgeon about Breast Reconstruction
FDA Breast Implant Consumer Handbook - 2004
U. S. Food and Drug Administration
http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/breastimplants/handbook2004/glossary.html
