What is dual plane breast augmentation technique ?
In traditional breast augmentation surgery, there are two primary implant placement methods: subglandular placement and submuscular placement. The dual-plane breast augmentation method is a variation of the submuscular implant placement technique.
With the dual-plane breast augmentation method, the upper half to middle portion of the implant is positioned beneath the muscle, while the remaining lower portion is placed under the glandular tissue. The proportion of the implant area positioned submuscularly depends on the breast condition (assessed by the degree of glandular tissue ptosis), so it's essential to select an experienced surgeon to perform this procedure.
What is the difference between the dual-plane breast augmentation method and traditional breast augmentation methods?
Subglandular implant placement
Submuscular implant placement
Dual plane implant placement
The dual-plane breast augmentation method follows similar steps to traditional breast augmentation, including creating the implant pocket within the breast. During this stage, the surgeon lifts and separates the pectoral muscle from the chest wall to form the pocket for implant placement. However, with the dual-plane method, the surgeon performs an additional step: detaching a portion of the breast tissue from the upper muscle section of the implant pocket. This creates an implant pocket enclosed by two distinct planes—one portion beneath the muscle and one portion beneath the glandular tissue.
The purpose of this additional step is to facilitate easier shaping, because the released pectoral muscle becomes more flexible. This allows the post-surgical breast shape to appear as natural as possible, rather than having the implant placed entirely submuscular or subglandular. After creating the pocket, the surgeon will adjust the breast cavity and implant positioning to achieve your desired aesthetic outcome before suturing the incisions closed.
What are the advantages of the dual-plane breast augmentation method compared to submuscular or subglandular placement?
Can the dual-plane breast augmentation method replace breast lift surgery?
If you are diagnosed with breast sagging conditions, then the answer is no.
The dual-plane breast augmentation technique can be performed to add volume to the lower breast area in women who may have limited sagging or pseudo-ptosis (where the nipple position is still higher than the standard threshold), which creates the appearance of sagging breasts. For women diagnosed with saggy breast conditions, dual-plane breast augmentation is not the right treatment method. Although a good surgeon can always pick the optimized implant placement location that provides lifting and elevating effects that put the areola in a higher position, if a patient is officially diagnosed with breast sagging, the recommended treatment would include both breast lift and breast augmentation, which help deliver the most satisfied results.
What are the different types of dual-plane breast augmentation surgery?
Comparison between dual-plane breast augmentation and subglandular breast augmentation
There are three different dual-plane implant placement methods, with dual-plane type one being the standard method. Type two is used to address very mild breast sagging, and type three is for slightly more severe sagging cases that are approaching the threshold of being classified as clinical breast ptosis.
Process details of dual-plane type 1 breast augmentation
In type 1 placement, the lower portion of the pectoral muscle is separated from the chest wall to create the implant pocket. The upper breast tissue still holds the implant in place without elevating it significantly. With this approach, only the lowest section of the implant gets covered by the glandular tissue. If a woman chooses to undergo this type of procedure, she might observe a visible edge along the underboob when she performs muscle flexion because the connected upper tissue pulls the skin around the lower implant area inward, which is a common condition known as contraction deformity that is only visible during muscle flexion.
Procedure details of dual-plane type 2 and type 3 breast augmentation
The surgeon dissects more tissue in the remaining dual-plane types compared to the standard one. The amount of muscle released depends on the ptosis degree and can extend as high as the nipple level. The new pocket will have its lower muscle portion separated from the chest wall, increasing its flexibility. After placing the implant, the surgeon will close the incisions. The procedure results in the lower half of the implant being covered only by glandular tissue, reducing associated risks with contraction deformity and adding the most volume to the underboob area.
What are dual-plane breast augmentation procedure risks ?
As an alternative form of traditional breast augmentation methods, dual-plane breast augmentation shares a similar risk profile, with the only distinctive problem being an inappropriate amount and position of dissected muscle, which can cause unsatisfied results as the implant is placed in a higher position and increases future sagging risks. These risks can be easily avoided by selecting an experienced and skillful cosmetic surgeon.
* The final results also depend on individual's physiology
