So, you are considering a breast augmentation. What’s next for you now? The most important thing is to do your research so you know what to expect and select the perfect surgeon for you. We’d like to suggest some key questions you can ask to help you make the best decisions for the details of your operation. Often times we clam up when we get to the doctor. Many patients are often surprised by the choices and considerations they’re faced with when considering a breast augmentation.
Looking at your breasts the way a doctor does can be an emotional event full of new information which may be hard to process, but it is essential that you and your doctor are ‘on the same page’ regarding the type of implant and surgical approach that will be used.
Here are a few questions you should discuss and answer prior to having your breast augmentation procedure:
Saline or silicone?
The two most commonly used types of implants are: saline and silicone. Saline implants are silicone shells that are inserted empty and then filled with sterile saline after they’re placed into your breasts.
Silicone implants are inserted into the breasts in full gel form. Most patients choose silicon implants since they definitely have a more natural feel. However, if a patient is going to have breast lift in conjunction with, silicone implants are recommended over saline.
What size implant?
This is perhaps the biggest consideration in the minds of most women. Breast size after surgery will be dependent on how big your breast were prior to surgery and the final volume of the implant that is inserted.
Breast implant volume is measured in CC’s (30cc = 1oz). The most popular implant size is 300cc’s. To give you an idea of what 300cc’s might look like, fill a freezer bag with 10 ounces of water. Then place that in the lower part of your bra. During your consultation, your plastic surgeon should let you try on actual implants by placing them inside your bra. We suggest that you two different types of tops (perhaps a blouse and a tank top.) This will help you make a better decision about what the right size is for you.
High profile or low profile?
Although implant volume is very important, the shape of the implant is an equally significant consideration. Most women want to be sure their breast augmentation procedures leaves them looking proportionate. A good proportion is not only determined by the breast implant size, but also by the shape of the implant as compared to the size and shape of her chest wall and torso. The choice of moderate vs. low profile has a lot to do with your anatomical chest frame dimensions. For example, if you have a really narrow chest, the round low profile implants may have too big of a diameter for your chest wall. Therefore, you may need to consider going with the high profile shape, which has a narrower diameter but more projection(taller).
In comparing implants of the same size, a low profile breast implant has a wider, rounder base when viewed from the top. A high profile implant has a smaller base. Therefore, when viewed from the side, the high profile implant has more projection. The high profile gives more projection and more fullness near the top. The choice of implant will also affect the resulting cleavage from the procedure. These days more women tend to prefer the high profile implants.
Textured or smooth implants?
Some implants have a textured surface while others have a smooth surface. A smooth implant is softer and able to move more freely than a textured implant. The past ten years have send trend favoring smooth implants.
Under or over the muscle?
Breast implants can be placed over the muscle or under the muscle. Below the muscle, as it is commonly referred to, is actually a partial insertion of the top part of the implant under the pectoralis major muscle. The most common medical recommendation is under the muscle because it gives the most natural look and the best long term result. There is however a downside, which is that your recovery may be a couple of days longer since the procedure is more involved to get the implant placed under the muscle
If your surgeon suggests ‘over the muscle’ be sure that he has a very good reason for that choice, as inevitably the result does not hold up well over time. Knowing the location of your implants is important to understanding exactly what the plastic surgeon has planned.
Where to have the incision?
Most patients with a preference have based their opinion on the experience of someone they know having had that type of incision and the way that looks. There are several types of breast augmentation incisions used by plastic surgeons including the inframammary incision, the circumareolar incision, the axillary incision and even the TUBA incision. The truth is every type of incision has its pros and cons. There is not one best incision for all breast augmentations. Every case is individualized based on the patient’s specific choices and objectives.
With or without a breast lift?
If you have sagging breasts and a loss of fullness in the top portion of your breasts, you may benefit from having a breast lift in conjunction with your breast augmentation. Often, with age and particularly after pregnancy, the breast skin is stretched or the nipple begins pointing downward. For those patients, who wish to achieve the fuller appearance with better cleavage, I recommend getting breast augmentation with a breast lift.
If you’re planning a breast augmentation procedure, consider these variants be sure to discuss them with your surgeon. Be sure to try implants on for size.
Implant size and profile, incision placement, and implant types are not things you want to go into blindly! It’s important that you discuss them with your board certified plastic surgeon during your initial consult so that you can get the results and look you want and deserve.
No comments:
Post a Comment