Over-the-muscle placement — also called subglandular — positions the implant beneath the breast tissue but on top of the pectoralis (chest) muscle.
Potential advantages
- Often a quicker, more comfortable recovery, as the muscle is not disturbed.
- No "animation deformity" (the implant doesn't move when you flex the chest).
- Can fill the breast directly, sometimes useful with mild sagging.
Potential disadvantages
- Less soft-tissue cover means edges and rippling can be more visible in thin patients.
- Historically associated with higher rates of capsular contracture than submuscular in some studies.
- Implant can be more palpable.
Over-the-muscle suits patients with enough natural tissue to cover the implant. Compare with under the muscle and dual plane.