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Subpectoral breast implant

Subpectoral breast implant

A breast implant that's placed below the chest muscle is called a subpectoral breast implant. It's often done in two operations. First, a plastic surgeon places a balloonlike tissue expander below the muscle. Over a period of a few weeks to months, a healthcare professional may slowly fill the expander with saline to the size you prefer. In a second operation, a plastic surgeon removes the expander and replaces it with a breast implant.

Breast reconstruction with implants is surgery that restores shape to the breast using a breast implant. This surgery most often is done after a mastectomy to treat or prevent breast cancer. A mastectomy is surgery to remove all breast tissue from a breast.

Breast reconstruction with implants uses breast implants to reshape the breasts. The implants are made of silicone and typically are filled with silicone gel. A plastic surgeon does this complex procedure.

Breast reconstruction with implants typically starts at the time of the mastectomy. Often it is a process that may need two or more operations to complete.

The goal of breast reconstruction is to give you the most natural look and feel possible after breast cancer surgery. Some people say having breast reconstruction improves their confidence and the comfort they feel with their bodies. Others say their new breast helps them feel whole and gives them a more positive outlook. But breast reconstruction can't replace your breast exactly. The new breast may not look or feel the same or have the same sensations as a natural breast.