Breast Implants

There are many factors to consider when getting a breast implants: the breast implant incision location, deciding between smooth and textured implants, and the breast implant size. Breast augmentation can be done in one of several ways. One approach involves the insertion of a silicone bag under the breast. This placement is called “submammary.” Another approach involves inserting the silicone bag under the chest muscle. This is called “subpectoral.” Next, the bag is filled with salt water, thereby expanding the breast area, and giving the patient a fuller bosom, increased cup size, better contour, and more cleavage.

Breast Implant Incision

The incision to insert the silicone bag can be made a number of ways. An incision can be made under the breast at the breast fold, at the edge of the areola (the brown area around the nipple), within the areola, in the armpit, or even in the umbilical area. The thinnest, least visible scar is usually a result of an incision in the areola. The umbilical incision involves using an endoscope (a tube with a light, a fiberoptic lens and tools for placing the implant).

Smooth and Textured Implants

Smooth Implants

There are two types of implant, smooth and textured. The smooth implants normally require a large pocket and ten percent of the time can cause capsule contracture—a tightening of the scar around the implant, which causes excessive firmness or hardness. The smooth implant can also ripple or wrinkle occasionally, giving the skin above it a wavy appearance.

Textured Implants

Textured implants are far less likely to cause capsule contracture at only three percent of the time, but far more likely to cause rippling (up to nine percent of the time).

The easiest place for a plastic surgeon to place an implant is under the breast tissue, in the submammary position. The submuscular, or subpectoral, placement is slightly more difficult to perform but is associated with a lower incidence of capsule contracture and slightly lower incidence of rippling. There is typically more postoperative pain than with a submammary placement, however.

Breast Implant Size

Implant size is typically a personal decision for the patient to make. Cup size is an inexact estimate of the final size, since cup sizes vary by manufacturer and fit. Describing the cup size does aid the surgeon, however, although it helps to use photos to show the plastic surgeon the desired look.

A good method of estimating implant size in ounces is to fill a plastic bag with measured amounts of water, place it in a bra with the patient’s estimated cup size, and cover it with a sweater.

You can request a free consultation with a Plastic Surgeon in your area to find out if breast augmentation is right for you.