Thinking about a breast enhancement that looks natural, heals quickly, and still delivers show-stopping cleavage? At Allure Esthetic in Seattle, we’re proud to offer subfascial breast augmentation—a modern pocket placement that sits sweetly between traditional “over-the-muscle” and “under-the-muscle” options. Guided by certified plastic surgeon Dr. Javad Sajan, whose surgical focus is exclusively on cosmetic and reconstructive procedures of the face and body, our team has helped thousands of patients worldwide feel at home in their own skin.
What Is Subfascial Breast Augmentation?
“Subfascial” literally means beneath the fascia. Instead of placing an implant right under the breast gland (subglandular) or deep beneath the pectoralis major muscle (submuscular), Dr. Sajan slides the implant into a slim envelope under the pectoral fascia but above the muscle fibers. This hybrid location cushions the implant, supports upper-pole fullness, and avoids the “animation” that sometimes happens when implants sit directly under working muscle.
Anatomy: Where The Fascia Sits
Picture the chest wall as layers: skin → breast tissue → pectoralis fascia → pectoralis major muscle → rib cage. The fascia is a thin, glistening sheet that wraps the muscle like cling film. Nestling an implant just under this layer offers extra coverage compared to subglandular placement, while sparing the muscle from the detachment required in full submuscular surgery.
Technique Overview
During a subfascial breast augmentation technique, Dr. Sajan creates a precise pocket beneath the fascia through a minimal-access incision, uses gentle electrocautery to limit bleeding, and positions the implant so it sits centrally on the breast footprint. Because the muscle remains intact, patients typically experience less postoperative tightness and faster return to workouts—yet the fascia still supports the implant, keeping the upper pole perky over time.
Incision Options & Pocket Creation:
- Inframammary fold (IMF): Hidden in the crease for maximal control and the lowest complication rate.
- Periareolar: Camouflaged at the edge of the darker areola for those with sufficient pigment contrast.
- Trans-axillary (armpit): Scar off the breast; best paired with an endoscope.
- Pocket refinement: The fascia is gently lifted, and muscle fibers are left untouched. A meticulous dual-plane pocket can be fashioned if extra lower-pole release is needed.
Cold Subfascial Method Explained
Patients often ask, “What is cold subfascial breast augmentation?” Think of it as the “no-touch, no-drama” version of the procedure. We irrigate the pocket with chilled, antibiotic-infused saline, which temporarily constricts small blood vessels, reduces swelling, and lowers bacterial counts. Implants are passed through a Keller-Funnel™ directly into the pocket, so our gloved hands never touch them. The result is less bruising, a reduced risk of capsular contracture, and an even smoother ride home.
Results & Recovery Timeline
Most clients return to desk work within 3-5 days and engage in light cardio by week two. Full-strength workouts usually resume after four weeks. Visible subfascial breast augmentation results start to reveal themselves as swelling fades—typically 6 weeks for a flattering preview and about 3 months for the final, photo-shoot finish. Because the muscle isn’t heavily manipulated, there’s less “drop-and-fluff” unpredictability, so what you see early tends to stay.
Subfascial vs. Submuscular vs. Subglandular
Not necessarily. Many of our revision patients feel that recovery is comparable—or even easier—than it was in round one, because you’re an experienced patient and often more motivated by the prospect of finally getting it right. Plan on:
Feature | Subfascial | Submuscular | Subglandular |
---|---|---|---|
Implant pocket | Under pectoral fascia | Under most of the pectoralis muscl | Directly under breast gland |
Post-op pain | Mild-moderate | Moderate-higher | Mild |
Animation deformity | Rare | Possible when flexing | None |
Cleavage potential* | High fascia guides implant medially | Moderate | High but may appear rounder |
Recovery speed | Faster (muscle preserved) | Slowest | Fastest |
Ideal for | Athletes, moderate tissue | Thin patients, implant camouflage | Thick tissue, revision cases |
Which method gives the most cleavage? Subfascial pockets allow implants to sit closer together without chest-muscle tension, often producing the most reliable medial fullness when anatomical constraints permit.
Benefits & Potential Drawbacks
Perks we love
- More natural slope than subglandular, yet fuller upper pole than submuscular
- Lower risk of visible rippling in lean patients compared with over-the-muscle placement
- Smaller chance of animation deformity and long-term “bottoming out”
Things to consider
- Slightly greater implant palpability than full submuscular if you have very thin soft-tissue coverage
- Limited published long-term data compared with decades of submuscular studies.
- Not ideal for bodybuilders seeking zero implant movement during extreme pectoral flex
Ideal Candidates & The Consultation Process
- Healthy adults seeking fuller, well-supported breasts
- Stable weight and realistic expectations
- Adequate soft-tissue thickness or willingness to use cohesive-gel (“gummy bear”) implants
- Desire for quicker recovery than submuscular allows
- Commitment to follow our pre-op and post-op guidelines for the safest outcome
During your private consultation, we take 3-D scans, try on sizers, and map out incision choices so you can visualize every detail before surgery day.
Cost & Financing
At Allure Esthetic, breast augmentation packages start around $5,995 for saline implants and range up to $9,495 for advanced cohesive-gel devices—figures that already include surgeon’s fees, anesthesia, and routine follow-ups.
Flexible monthly plans through CareCredit make it easy to budget for your dream look without delaying life’s other goals.
Schedule Your Consultation Today!
Let’s design a silhouette that feels unmistakably you. Reach our Seattle office through our online contact form, Price Simulator, or give us a call at (206) 209-0988. We look forward to hearing from you and helping you on your journey!
Frequently Asked Questions
What does subfascial mean in breast augmentation?
The implant pocket is situated under the pectoral fascia and above the muscle fibers, providing support without disrupting the muscle completely.
What are the cons of subfascial breast implants?
A touch more implant edge can be felt in very thin patients, and there’s less long-term literature than for classic submuscular placement.
What are the results of subfascial breast implants?
Most enjoy a smooth, natural slope with pleasing upper-pole volume and quicker recovery than submuscular techniques.
What is cold subfascial breast augmentation?
A refined, no-touch method using chilled antibiotic saline to minimize bleeding, swelling, and bacterial exposure before the implant is delivered.
Which implant gives more cleavage?
Cleavage is primarily dictated by the implant width and the degree to which the pocket is created medially. Subfascial placement often enhances medial fullness, delivering enviable cleavage when anatomy permits.