Breast augmentation is the most popular form of plastic surgery in the world. Also called breast implants or mammoplasty, this procedure can give you the larger, fuller breasts you desire. In this procedure, breast implants are inserted behind the natural breasts to make them appear larger.

If you are considering breast augmentation you have a variety of choices to help you reach your desired outcome. At first, the options may seem intimidating, but the choice is actually a good thing. That means you will be able to get the exact results you want to achieve. 

So start by discussing your desired outcome with your plastic surgeon. Here are some of the choices you will discuss with your doctor during your consultation.

Breast Implants: Saline or Silicone?

All breast implants have the same basic anatomy. They are a rubbery silicone shell with filling, and that filling can be saline or silicone. There are many differences between the two types of implants, and your first decision will be finding the type of implant that works best for you.

Let’s start by talking about cost. Saline implants cost less than silicone implants, so if money is a concern for you, you might want to consider going with saline implants.

Saline implants are filled with sterile salt water. If the implant should leak for any reason the body would simply absorb the saline. These implants have a uniform shape and firmness to them. They are FDA approved for patients 18 years of age and older.

Silicone implants are filled with a silicone gel that feels a little more natural to the touch. If you decide that silicone implants are right for you, your incision site will be larger than it would be with saline implants. If the silicone implant should leak for any reason, the implant will not collapse. The gel may remain inside the silicone shell, or it may escape. If you decide to get silicone implants, you will need to have an MRI scan every three years to make sure that they are functioning correctly. Silicone implants are FDA approved for patients 22 years of age or older.

Size and Shape of the Breast Implant

Once you have decided on saline or silicone, the next decisions you will have to make are the shape and size of the implants. These decisions are very important for achieving the end result you desire.

Implants come in two different shapes – round and teardrop shaped. The round shaped implants produce a full, perky breast. The teardrop shape implant is more natural looking.

Implants come in a variety of sizes, so it’s important to choose the size that’s right for you. When choosing the size of your implants, you must ask yourself an important question. How big is too big? If you choose implants that are too big, they may feel heavy or uncomfortable – and this could lead to complications. Your own anatomy will determine in part how big an implant you can get. If you have too little breast tissue, the implant edges on a larger implant may be visible. Discuss your desires with your plastic surgeon and together you will choose the best size option for you.

Implant Placement

Once you decide on what type, shape and size implant you want, your doctor will have three different placement options for the implants.

• Subglandular placement – the implants are placed behind the breast tissue, but in front of the chest muscles
• Partial submuscular placement – the implants are placed behind the breast tissue and partially behind the muscles
• Complete submuscular placement – the implants are placed fully behind the muscles

Your plastic surgeon will consult with you to determine the best placement for your implants. That decision will be based on a variety of factors including your lifestyle, the amount of natural breast tissue you have, and the size of the implants.

To find out if breast augmentation is right for you, contact us for more information or to schedule a consultation. Weston Center for Plastic Surgery is located in Weston, FL and serves residents throughout Fort Lauderdale and Broward County.