What does “half under the muscle” breast implant placement mean?

If you’ve ever found yourself deep in a celeb scroll and suddenly asking, “Wait…what does ‘half under the muscle’ even mean?”—you’re not alone. Kylie Jenner recently described her implant placement this way, and ever since, our Instagram DMs have been flooded with questions. 

So let’s clear things up! “Half under the muscle” isn’t a celebrity secret; it’s actually the most routine technique we use in breast augmentation. And this is what you need to know about it.

“Half under the muscle” = Dual plane placement

When Kylie said “half under the muscle,” she was referring to a technique called dual plane breast implant placement. It’s a very common and well-established method where the implant is placed partially beneath the pectoralis major muscle—hence the name.

Here’s what’s happening under the surface:

• The upper part of the implant sits beneath the chest muscle, providing a smooth, natural slope to the upper breast.
• The lower part of the implant is not covered by muscle and sits directly behind the breast tissue. This allows for more natural fullness in the lower half of the breast.

In other words, it’s not exactly “half,” but the term gets the point across. The dual plane approach combines the benefits of both under-the-muscle and over-the-muscle techniques and is what we routinely perform in our breast augmentation procedures at our Reading plastic surgery office.

“I 100% recommend! I have been told by so many that Dr. Reedy is THE guy. Believe me when I tell you, he IS the guy! The staff is phenomenal! My experience from beginning to end has been seamless & enjoyable. My results are AMAZING & I am so happy! If you live a distance, make the travel!”

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Why dual plane placement is so popular

This placement offers some big advantages:

• It creates a more natural contour, especially in the upper breast.
• It provides additional coverage of the implant for women with less natural breast tissue.
• It can reduce the risk of visible implant edges and rippling.
• It may help reduce the chance of capsular contracture (a tightening of scar tissue around the implant).

In short, it’s a versatile technique that works beautifully for many women, including postpartum patients looking for that refreshed, youthful shape after breastfeeding.

Related: Breast Augmentation After Kids: 4 Incredible #drreedygirl Transformations (With Photos!)

What about “over the muscle” implants?

While the dual plane method is often our go-to, “over the muscle” placement (also called subglandular) is making a comeback, especially for patients choosing Motiva® breast implants.

Motiva’s smooth, soft, and highly advanced silicone implants are known for being extremely natural-feeling and for working well even when placed over the muscle in certain patients. For those with adequate natural breast tissue and strong skin quality, subglandular placement can offer:

• An equally natural look and feel as dual plane placements in many cases
• No disruption of the chest muscle and no “implant animation” (great for fitness influencers)
• Potentially quicker recovery and less post-op discomfort

That said, over-the-muscle placement isn’t ideal for everyone. It really depends on your individual anatomy, lifestyle, and the type of look you want.

Which one is right for you?

At Berks Plastic Surgery, we take our time during consultations to assess:

• Your natural breast tissue and how much coverage you already have
• The quality and thickness of your skin
• Your physical activity level (especially if you’re doing a lot of upper body workouts)
• Your goals for shape, projection, and cleavage

From there, we’ll guide you toward the most appropriate implant placement—whether that’s dual plane or subglandular.

Let’s talk about your perfect fit

The best breast augmentation results don’t just come from picking the right implant, they come from making sure every detail, from size to profile to placement, is tailored to you. That’s what we’re here for.

If you’re considering breast augmentation or just want to understand your options better, we’d love to meet with you. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Reedy or Dr. Lindsay at our Wyomissing office by calling 610-320-0200 or reach out online to get started.