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Consumer Guide to Breast Implant Placement

Reviewed by Scott R. Miller, MD, FACS and by Michael Olding, MD, FACS

Breast implants are placed behind the breast in three main locations:

The optimum implant placement location depends on the size of the breast implants, your individual anatomy and other factors related to your goals and expectations.

This consumer guide provides articles on each placement location. Below you'll find a brief introduction to each article.

Subglandular Implant Placement

Subglandular implant placement places the breast implant under the breast tissue, but above the muscles in the chest.
Learn more about subglandular implant placement.

Partial Submuscular Implant Placement

Partial submuscular implant placement places the breast implant under the breast tissue, and partially under the pectoral and other chest muscles.
Learn more about partial submuscular implant placement.

Complete Submuscular Implant Placement

Complete submuscular implant placement places the breast implant under the pectoral and chest muscles.
Learn more about complete submuscular implant placement.

About the Reviewer of This Article

Michael Olding, MD, FACS, of Washington, D.C. is board-certified in plastic and reconstructive surgery by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the Northeastern Society of Plastic Surgery and the National Capital Society of Plastic Surgeons, where he was elected president. Dr. Olding specializes in cosmetic plastic surgery procedures and clinically related activities in cosmetic surgery, cosmetic facial surgery, breast augmentation and reduction, rhinoplasty, body contouring, liposuction and melanoma. He is also one of the area experts on soft-tissue fillers (Restylane, Sculptra and Botox). He received his doctorate in medicine from the University of Kentucky in 1980 and completed his internship at Cornell Medical Center. He completed his fellowship in plastic and reconstructive surgery at McGill University in Montreal. Dr. Olding maintains hospital staff privileges at George Washington University Medical Center, Sibley Hospital and Children's Hospital in Washington, D.C. More about Dr. Michael Olding

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[page updated June 2009]