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Submuscular Breast Augmentation vs Breast Augmentation
| Submuscular Breast Augmentation | Breast Augmentation | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | cosmetic-surgery | cosmetic-surgery |
| Cost (USD range) | $4,500–$9,500 | $3,000–$8,000 |
| Average recovery (days) | 21 | 14 |
| Typical sessions | 1 | 1 |
| Complication rate | 8.00% | 10.00% |
| Revision rate | 12.00% | 15.00% |
| Anaesthesia | general | general |
| Documented risks | 5 entries | 5 entries |
| Registry-listed clinics | 4 clinics | 4 clinics |
Submuscular Breast Augmentation
Submuscular breast augmentation places the implant beneath the pectoralis major muscle, in contrast to subglandular placement under the breast tissue alone. The submuscular approach (which is most commonly the 'dual-plane' variant, where the upper pole of the implant is fully submuscular and the lower pole is in the subglandular plane) is preferred for patients with thin breast tissue, thin overlying skin, or a preference for a more natural-looking upper-pole transition. Compared to subglandular placement, submuscular implants have lower capsular contracture rates, better mammographic visibility, and a smoother appearance under thin tissue — at the cost of a longer recovery, more initial post-operative pain, and visible 'animation deformity' on chest contraction in some patients.
View Submuscular Breast Augmentation pageBreast Augmentation
Breast augmentation involves the placement of silicone or saline implants to increase breast size or restore volume. Fat transfer (lipofilling) is an alternative for modest increases. The procedure is performed under general anaesthesia and typically takes 1-2 hours. Implant placement can be subglandular or submuscular.
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