Blog

The only way to know exactly what type (and size) of implants are right for you is to consult with a board certified plastic surgeon. However, at the same time, it’s important to have an idea of what you want before you walk into a surgeon’s office. If you do, you can give your surgeon the information he or she needs to develop a personalized treatment plan that accurately reflects your cosmetic goals.

Defining Your Objectives

Before you can work with your surgeon to select the best breast implants for you, you need to have a clear idea of what you want to get out of surgery. Women have many different reasons for pursuing breast augmentation; usually, they want one or more of the following cosmetic problems corrected:

• They feel that their breasts are too small. While there is, of course, absolutely nothing wrong with having small breasts, sometimes women who have curvaceous hips and thighs feel that their small breasts are not proportional with the rest of their body. If this is the case, breast augmentation surgery is the perfect way to create an hourglass figure for the woman in question.
• They have lost breast volume due to breastfeeding or the effects of menopause. Decreased breast volume is a common side effect of both of the aforementioned life changes. Fortunately, breast augmentation can restore the breasts to their prior size and shape. However, if you’re in this situation, you should be aware that you almost certainly also require a breast lift. Ask your plastic surgeon about the possibility of having combined lift-augmentation surgery. An experienced surgeon should be able to conduct both of these procedures at once, saving you money and cutting down on your total healing time.
• They don’t like the shape of their breasts. While the media has inundated us with images of round, pert, and basically symmetrical breasts, such breasts are the exception—not the rule. Many women have breasts that are more oblong in shape than round, even before they have had children or experienced the effects of aging. Because most breast implant types are quite round, inserting them into oblong breasts can produce a more pleasing shape.

Breast unevenness is also extremely common; in fact, up to a full cup size of difference between breasts is considered perfectly normal from a medical perspective. However, no matter how natural this condition is, it still troubles many women affected by it. These women often decide to get both of their breasts augmented, but ask their surgeon to use a larger implant in their smaller breast, thereby eliminating the size discrepancy between their breasts.

Choosing a Size

When choosing a breast implant size, forget asking for a certain cup size. Cup sizes are not standardized and vary greatly between different band sizes and even different bra brands. To really get a sense of what implant volume (which is measured in CC) is right for you, you’ll need to request a few different “sizers” from your plastic surgeon. Insert the sizers into a bra, then try on your favorite outfits. When you have found a size that you think looks flattering, try wearing it for at least a few hours (and try exercising in it, too). This will give you a realistic idea of what it will be like to carry that much additional weight on your chest. If you find yourself struggling to adjust to the sizers, go down a size.

And, one final note on size: If you have very small natural breasts, you probably won’t be able to have large implants inserted right away. You’ll need to start with smaller implants, give your skin and breast tissue time to adapt, then have larger implants inserted.

Deciding Between Saline and Silicone

Research reveals that fully eighty-four percent of women now opt to have silicone gel implants inserted (rather than saline). There’s sound logic behind this choice: Silicone gel implants look and feel more like natural breasts, they are more durable than saline implants, and they do not cause the skin to “ripple” or dimple like saline implants sometimes do. With that said, however, saline implants should not be ruled out without due consideration. Unlike silicone implants, they can be adjusted after they have been inserted, so they’re ideal for women who are not sure what they want their final breast size to be. Saline implants are also the only choice available to women younger than 22. As such, if you want to get your first implants at the age of 18 and gradually expand your breast tissue in preparation for a larger silicone implant later, saline implants are a good choice. Some women also feel more comfortable with saline implants because it’s very easy to tell if they have begun to leak, and saline leaks are often harmless.

Once you have defined your cosmetic goals, chosen a size that works for you, and selected an implant material, you’ll be ready to begin your breast augmentation journey. If you have any further questions about breast augmentation, or you’re ready to book a consultation, feel free to contact us for more information.