Choosing to enhance your breasts’ shape and size with breast augmentation is only the first choice you’ll make in this process; There are nearly countless ways to customize your breast augmentation exactly to your specifications.
Our experienced plastic surgeons will guide you through the process, discuss your options with you, and help you choose the right options that will achieve your desired goals.
Your breast augmentation should be custom to your exact specifications, be flattering to your natural frame, and provide a satisfying boost to your confidence. You have a multitude of choices, all of which contribute to the unique size, shape, and projection of your enhanced breasts. Below, we’ve mapped out all the various options that your experienced breast surgeon will discuss with you during your breast augmentation consultation.
Saline breast implants consist of a soft silicone outer shell filled with a medical-grade, sterilized saltwater solution called saline. Saline breast implants are FDA-approved for patients who are over 18 years of age.
The benefits of saline implants include:
Each breast implant option has drawbacks, including saline implants. Some patients note that they are a little too firm to the touch and do not feel like natural breast tissue. They are also more prone to visible skin ripples. However, these factors depend on the patient’s anatomy and personal preference. For example, a patient who is primarily focused on hiding visible scarring and desires a small incision will likely choose saline implants because they are the only type to be filled after insertion. It really comes down to your personal preference and the factors that matter most to you.
Traditional silicone gel implants are currently the most popular breast implant option. They are pre-filled silicone shells filled with soft silicone gel, and they are FDA-approved for patients over 22 years of age.
Silicone implants are popular for a variety of reasons, including these benefits:
Silicone implants require a bit more maintenance than saline implants, as they can have what’s called a “silent rupture,” where a rupture happens without noticeable symptoms. This can be an issue, as silicone can be dangerous if it escapes the breast capsule. To mitigate this risk, it is strongly recommended that women with silicone breast implants undergo regular MRI or ultrasound imaging, usually every 3–5 years depending on the age of the implants, to ensure a silent rupture hasn’t occurred.
Additionally, because they are pre-filled with gel, they require longer incisions than saline implants. They are also ineligible for surgical techniques such as transaxillary or TUBA incisions, which result in no visible scar on the breasts themselves.
However, the benefit of having what looks and feels like natural breast tissue cannot be understated, as this is generally a top priority for most breast augmentation patients.
Cohesive gel silicone implants are the newest type of breast implant. They are sometimes called “gummy bear” implants because the gel used maintains its shape when cut—much like a gummy bear candy. This is certainly appealing, as the risk of silicone leakage is reduced; upon rupture, gummy bear implants are likely to stay intact.
The benefits of cohesive gel silicone implants:
Gummy bear implants are the most expensive option, which might be a drawback for some patients. Additionally, some patients do not prefer the firm, stable feel of these implants because it is slightly less natural than that of traditional silicone implants.
Breast implants come in different shapes, as well. The choice of breast implant shape will reflect how the implants sit on the chest, how much cleavage is present, and where the most fullness is: the upper pole (the top of the breast) or the lower pole (the bottom of the breast).
Round breast implants are completely symmetrical, resulting in an even fullness throughout. Patients choose this option if they want:
Round implants also pose no risk of the implant rotating in the breast pocket, which can happen with other implant shapes. Additionally, they offer easier placement during surgery itself, possibly reducing procedure time.
Anatomically shaped or “teardrop” implants are designed to mimic the shape and natural slope of real breasts, with more volume resting on the lower pole. This results in a more natural appearance, with enhanced projection in the lower half of the breast and a gentle taper up top.
Patients choose teardrop implants if they want:
While there is a possibility that they shift in the breast capsule, some manufacturers make their teardrop implants with a textured side, which helps keep them in place.
Breast implants are sized by measuring volume in cubic centimeters (cc) and profile, which is how far they project outward from the chest. It may seem overwhelming to learn about the various cc’s, but that’s what your surgeon can help with. They will take into account your natural frame, your shoulder and chest width, and of course your goals for the final result.
Patients are much more comfortable thinking about their new breast size in terms of bra cup sizes, so the rule of thumb is an increase of about 150 to 200cc equals a one cup size increase. So, if you are a natural A cup and want to go to a C, you’ll need about 350 to 400cc breast implants.
Another factor in the size of the breast implants is the profile, or the measurement of how far out they project from the chest. A good way to view the breast profile is from the side; this is the projection.
The combination of profile and volume makes up the overall size of the breast implants. These vary widely and come in many combinations. For example, you can have implants of the same volume (cc) but different profiles, which would all have different aesthetics on the patient.
Now, the surgical technique also plays a role in how the breasts look in the final result. When discussing placement, it’s helpful to think of the chest in layers: skin, glandular or breast tissue, then muscle. There are three types of breast augmentation placement that are popularly used:
Submuscular placement positions the breast implants beneath the pectoral muscles, so under two layers: the muscle and breast tissue. This deeper placement is less commonly used because recovery and post-surgical pain can be a bit more intense, as the procedure is more invasive. However, there are plenty of benefits to this technique:
Subglandular placement positions the breast implants over the pectoral muscles and under the breast tissue, leaving them between the two structures. This is the more popular option, as it is less invasive and less painful during recovery, although it does increase the risk of visible implant rippling, especially for patients who are naturally thin or have little natural breast tissue. The benefits of this technique include:
Dual plane breast implants offer the best of both worlds: the top of the implant is placed under the chest muscle, while the bottom is placed over it. This half-and-half method provides a soft transition between the breast implant and the chest, while also anchoring the top of the implant for a more secure result. The muscle is still manipulated, so recovery takes longer than if the patient had just a subglandular placement, but this method holds plenty of benefits, including:
Another important factor for patients is where your incisions are placed, because that’s where any scarring will appear.
The method used at Aesthetic Surgery Centre is the inframammary incision. This is a line that runs horizontally beneath each breast, right where the bottom of the breast meets the chest wall. This option allows for the most visibility during surgery and can accommodate larger implants. This might be ideal for breast augmentation patients who:
Now that you have a good understanding of your breast implant options, call the Aesthetic Surgery Centre & Medical Spa today at (253) 627-2900 to schedule a consultation with one of our board-certified plastic surgeons to discuss your breast augmentation goals and get started designing the look you want.
